Carolyn Suzanne Sapp | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1967-04-05)April 5, 1967 (age 58) |
| Alma mater | Hawaii Pacific University |
| Title | Miss Hawaii 1991 Miss America 1992 |
| Predecessor | Marjorie Vincent |
| Successor | Leanza Cornett |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
Carolyn Sapp Daniels (born Carolyn Suzanne Sapp on April 5, 1967) is an actress, singer,stuntwoman, andmotivational speaker best known as the first representative fromHawaii to winMiss America in 1992.[1]
Sapp was born inKona to Susan and Fred Sapp, a dance teacher andLutheran minister, respectively. Her parents divorced amicably when she was an infant. Sapp was raised by her step-grandparents and attended Columbia River Bible Church and Academy in Washington state fromkindergarten to 12th grade.
After graduating high school, Sapp financed her college education atHawaii Pacific University by winning several pageants including Miss Kona Coffee, Miss Waikiki, Miss Honolulu, and Miss Hawaii Pacific University.[2] Sapp competed in Miss Hawaii four times before winning in 1991, enabling her to represent her state at theMiss America 1992 Pageant.
During the preliminary competition, Sapp won the preliminary swimsuit round and was crowned the winner of the pageant on the final night of competition becoming the first Miss America titleholder outside of thecontiguous United States.[3]
A day after her coronation, it was revealed that Sapp had been in an abusive relationship with formerNew York Jets playerNuu Faaola whom she had dated before her Miss Hawaii tenure, and later stated that this leaked information was against her wishes as it was a personal matter. Although she had initially chosen education as her Miss America platform, Sapp also became a spokesperson for domestic violence victims, and founded the foundations Safe Places for Abused Women and Children, and Give Back a Smile.[4][5]
After her reign, Sapp starred as herself in the autobiographical television movie,Miss America: Behind the Crown, which depicted thephysically abusive relationship between her and Faaola. In interviews about the movie, she stated, "When I learned that abuse hotlines were receiving up to 1,000 calls a day, I decided I should make the movie. If Miss America can have this happen to her and get out of it, it will help other people. Women can use my pain to help gain strength".[6]
Sapp acted as spokesperson for, "Wal-Mart Versus Women" which promoted public awareness of the retail giant's nationwide pattern of discrimination against female employees.[7] and was interviewed in Andrew Munger's 2007 documentaryWal*Mart Nation.[8]
Sapp was inducted intoOmicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, in 2019 as anhonoris causa initiate byConcordia University Irvine.
Sapp married stuntman, Alex Daniels, on January 1, 2006. Together, the couple have three children, Kai O’Cain, Keira Makanalani, and Kale’a Charlie-Rose.[9]
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Miss America 1992 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Cheryl Toma | Miss Hawaii 1991 | Succeeded by Lani Stone |
| Preceded by Mairead O'Connor | National Sweetheart 1990 | Succeeded by |