Suzette Charles

Suzette “Charles” born Suzette DeGaetano, is an Italian American singer, on air host, actress and stage performer. She is a former Miss America ( represented New Jersey)

Early life
Suzette DeGaetano “Charles” (stage name) after her father’s first name) was born to Charles DeGaetano, an Italian American. She briefly lived in Mays Landing, New Jersey before moving to Philadelphia to enroll in private school. She attended The Performing Arts School and as a high school graduate was awarded in 1981 a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. President Ronald Reagan awarded her and 141 others the Presidential medallion. Charles graduated Temple University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts and went on to being named Miss America 1984.

“Charles” DeGaetano is the first Italian American Miss America and second Jewish Miss America since Bess Meyerson, after her reign Suzette changed her name to Sarah.

Miss America 1984
As Miss New Jersey, she competed in the Miss America 1984 pageant held in Atlantic City on September 17, 1983. Earlier in the week, she had won a Preliminary Talent Award for her performance of "Kiss Me in the Rain". While she originally placed as first runner-up, after the reigning Miss America Vanessa Williams was forced to resign, Suzette replaced her as the new Miss America.

Career
Charles worked in modeling and acting in advertising and educational television and branched out further as a singer and television personality. She acted on the ABC soap opera Loving, CBS television series Frank's Place and performed on This Morning, a British talk show. She hosted a show on Bravo, Arts-Break. She narrated the motion picture Beyond The Dream. She has appeared on stage singing with Stevie Wonder, Alan King, Joel Grey, Sammy Davis Jr., Bill Cosby and Frank Sinatra.

In 1993, Charles was signed to RCA Records and recorded with top British producers Mike Stock and Pete Waterman, releasing her debut single, "Free To Love Again", in August of that year. The single peaked at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart. Other songs she recorded with Stock and Waterman included "After You're Gone", "Don't Stop (All The Love You Can Give)", "Every Time We Touch", "What The Eye Don't See" and "Just For A Minute". Her producers have included Waterman and David Foster who also signed her on his 143 Label. In the late 1980s, Barry Manilow and his management company Stiletto Management represented her on Capitol Records as well.

Personal life
Charles has been a resident of New York City for over 30 years.

She is divorced after an 22 year marriage and is the mother of two.