Miss America 2012

Miss America 2012, the 85th Miss America pageant, was held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts of Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada on Saturday, January 14, 2012. Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan from Nebraska, crowned her successor Laura Kaeppeler from Wisconsin at the end of this event. It was broadcast live on ABC. All 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico competed for the title.

Chris Harrison and Brooke Burke, for the second year in a row, hosted the pageant.

Placements
* - America's Choice

** - Saved by eliminated delegates after Swimsuit Competition to compete in Evening Gown as a "wild card"

Judges
The seven judges for the competition were:
 * dancer and musician Mark Ballas
 * television personality Raúl De Molina
 * television producer Mike Fleiss
 * television personality Kris Jenner
 * actress Teri Polo
 * personal trainer Chris Powell
 * television personality Lara Spencer

Contestants
51 Contestants competed for the title.

Replacements

 * Montana - Veronika Ohlinger was originally the 1st runner-up but later was crowned Miss Montana 2011 to replace the original winner Taryn Chuter, who resigned due to a knee injury that required surgery.