Susan Akin | |
|---|---|
 Akin, 1985 | |
| Born | (1964-08-12)August 12, 1964 (age 60) |
| Alma mater | University of Mississippi |
| Title | Miss University 1985 Miss Mississippi 1985 Miss America 1986 |
| Predecessor | Sharlene Wells |
| Successor | Kellye Cash |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2 |
Susan Akin (born August 12, 1964) is an Americanbeauty pageant titleholder fromMeridian, Mississippi who wasMiss Mississippi 1985 andMiss America 1986.[1]
Akin was born to Earl and Dorothy Akin on August 12, 1964. She was a member ofPi Beta Phi sorority at theUniversity of Mississippi.[2]
Before the Miss America 1986 pageant, computer modeling successfully predicted that Akin would be named Miss America, her odds set at 7 to 1.[3] During her pageant years, Akin participated in over 110 pageants.[4]
Akin traveled extensively withBob Hope, performing at conventions both inLas Vegas andAtlantic City, New Jersey.
Akin was formerly the spokesperson for the National Down's Syndrome Association, during which she spoke before state legislatures and advocacy groups.[5]
In 1991, Akin appeared in a segment onUnsolved Mysteries to discuss the unexplained death of Crystal Spencer, an aspiring actress who died in the same apartment building where Akin and her husband, Jet Taylor, lived in 1988.[6]
She is the granddaughter of Bernard L. Akin, a conspirator in themurders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner of 1964.[7][8] TheMeridian Star reported Akin's response to her grandfather's involvement, "That's something that doesn't involve me. I wasn't even born and can't be involved in this. And the people who have taken it out of context thinking they can drag me down, cannot and they're not."[9]
Akin openly opposed mixed marriages with theNew York Press quoting her as saying, "I feel at this time intermixing could lead to more problems."[10]
After crowningKellye Cash as her successor, Akin moved toLos Angeles in 1987 to pursue a career in acting, but soon fell intoalcoholism. In the late 1980s, Akin became addicted toopiates after being injured in a car accident.[4] She moved back to Mississippi and soon married Jetson "Jet" Taylor and gave birth to a daughter, Alexandria, in 1992. Taylor and Akin divorced in 1994.[4]
In 1996, Akin married Brooks Lynch.[4] She continued to struggle with addiction, ultimately leading to a suicide attempt in 1999.[4]
Akin and Lynch had a son, Preston Lynch, in 2001.
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Miss America 1986 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Miss Mississippi 1985 | Succeeded by |