Leanza Cornett
| Leanza Cornett | |
|---|---|
| Born |
June 10, 1971 Big Stone Gap, Virginia, United States |
| Occupation | Actress and Singer |
| Title |
Miss Florida 1992 Miss America 1993 |
| Predecessor | Carolyn Sapp |
| Successor | Kimberly Clarice Aiken |
| Religion | Christian |
| Spouse(s) | Mark Steines |
Eva Leanza Cornett (born June 10, 1971 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia; raised in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American television personality and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Florida in 1992 and Miss America in 1993.
As Miss America, she became the first beauty queen to adopt AIDS prevention as the theme of her year of service. She was previously National Sweetheart 1991.[1]
She has also served as a host for several television shows, including Entertainment Tonight (1994–1995), New Attitudes (1998), and Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? (2000), and made television guest appearances in television series such as Melrose Place, The Tick, and Fear Factor. In addition, she serves as a reporter for Animal Planet's coverage of the Eukanuba AKC National Dog Show programs and hosts the "On The Block" show on DIY Network.
Her stage credits include: Barefoot in the Park, Godspell, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Bye Bye Birdie, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid.
Married to ET correspondent Mark Steines, Cornett is the mother of two sons, Kai Harper (born on February 19, 2002), and Avery James (born on November 4, 2003). They live in Los Angeles, California to be near Mark's show, which originates daily from Studio City. In a joint statement, on January 25, 2013, the couple announced their separation.[2]
She was the first actress to play a live-action version of Ariel, the title character from The Little Mermaid, at the "Voyage of The Little Mermaid" show at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in 1991 and was a member of the contemporary Christian music group Area Code, which released their single album, One Big World, before Leanza’s big break.
Leanza is a 1989 graduate of Terry Parker High School. She was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2006.[3]
References
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| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Carolyn Sapp |
Miss America 1993 |
Succeeded by Kimberly Clarice Aiken |
| Preceded by Mary Ann Olson |
Miss Florida 1992 |
Succeeded by Melinda Miller |
| Preceded by Carolyn Sapp |
National Sweetheart 1991 |
Succeeded by Elizabeth Simmons |