Now in paperback!
Amy’s book is an exploration of the history and subculture of Miss America. Investigating the crisis that threatened the pageant as it neared its centennial, the Washington Post writer discovered a parallel story of against-the-odds survival.
Learn more about There She Was.
Praise for ‘There She Was’
"In this wildly entertaining journey into an American institution we see how beauty is quantified and calibrated. Surprisingly, some of the biggest disrupters, the people who want the crown to be about more than superficial beauty, are at the very heart of the country's most celebrated beauty pageant. I couldn't put this book down."
—Kate Andersen Brower, CNN contributor and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Residence, First Women and, most recently, Team of Five
Read an excerpt
— The Washington Post, August 23, 2021
— Literary Hub, September 7, 2021
— Time, September 9, 2021
Five things you didn’t know about Miss America
The swimsuit that launched an arms race. The truth about baton twirling. The nagging question about virginity. And where does Donald Trump fit into this story anyway?
Media appearances
C-SPAN Book TV
A recording of an East City Bookshop virtual appearance, moderated by Petula Dvorak.
Watch it here: “There She Was” (Sept. 8. 2021, aired Oct. 17, 2021)
National Public Radio
Amy appeared on 1A, broadcast nationally from Washington’s WAMU and hosted by Jenn White, along with former Miss Americas Carolyn Sapp Daniels, Katie Harman Ebner and Caressa Cameron-Jackson.
Listen here:
There She Is: 100 Years Of Miss America (Sept. 8, 2021)
This Is Critical
An in-depth conversation with podcast host Virginia Heffernan and Kate Shindle, a former Miss America and president of Actors’ Equity. (Dec. 16, 2021)
The Road to Now
“Miss America’s Secret Past": A podcast appearance with Benjamin Sawyer and Bob Crawford. (Oct. 18, 2021)
Washington Post Live
Amy was interviewed about the book by Washington Post colleague Sarah Ellison in this archived discussion.
Highlights, transcript also available at:
"There She Was: The Secret History of Miss America” with Author Amy Argetsinger (washingtonpost.com, Sept. 8, 2021)
Axelbank Reports History &
Today
A conversation about Miss America with podcaster Evan Axelbank (Nov. 30, 2021)
Chatter on Books
“Everything I know about pageants I learned from Tony Kornheiser.” A conversation with Torie Clarke, Chuck Culpepper and David Aldridge. (Dec. 7, 2021)
Make it stand out.
A conversation with Fox anchor Shannon Bream for her podcast. (Sept. 10, 2021)
About Amy
Amy Argetsinger is an editor for The Washington Post’s Style section. A staff writer since 1995…
