Leanza Cornett

Leanza Cornett (born June 10, 1971 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia; raised in Jacksonville, Florida) was crowned "Miss Jacksonville" and Miss Florida in 1992 and Miss America 1993.

As Miss America, she became the first beauty queen to adopt AIDS prevention as the theme of her year of service.

She has also served as a host for several television shows, including "Entertainment Tonight" (1994–1995), "New Attitudes" (1998), and "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?" (2000), and made television guest appearances in television shows such as "Melrose Place", "The Tick", and "Fear Factor". In addition, she serves as a reporter for Animal Planet's coverage of the Eukanuba AKC National Dog Show programs and hosts the "On The Block" show on DIY Network.

Her stage credits include: Barefoot in the Park, Godspell, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Bye Bye Birdie, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

Married to "ET" correspondent Mark Steines, Cornett is the mother of two sons, Kai Harper (born on February 19, 2002), and Avery James (born on November 4, 2003). They live in Los Angeles, California to be near Mark's show, which originates daily from Studio City.

She was the first actress to play a live-action version of Ariel, the title character from "The Little Mermaid", at the "Voyage of The Little Mermaid" show at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in 1991 and was a member of the contemporary Christian music group Area Code, which released their single album, "One Big World", before Leanza’s big break.

Leanza is a 1989 graduate of Terry Parker High School, where she was a member of the Drama Club. She is one of 30 Parker graduates, former teachers and staff members who were inducted into the school's inaugural Hall of Fame as part of the school's 50th anniversary festivities on April 1, 2005. A reunion celebration was held at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium with entertainment, food, dancing and the Hall of Fame inductions. Inductees were selected on the basis of their exemplary achievements in athletics, health and medicine, arts and entertainment, public service, business and industry, volunteerism, philanthropy or education. [http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/040806/neR_21559114.shtml Florida Times-Union: Apr 8, 2006-Parker High establishes Braves hall of fame] ]

External links

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* [http://www.tridelta.org/alumnae/Distinguished_Alumnae/distinguished_deltas/directory_detail.asp?blobID=4144 Delta Delta Delta Distinguished Alumnae profile]