Mark Ballas, ABC’s Dancing With The Stars; Raúl de Molina, Univision’s El Gordo y La Flaca; Mike Fleiss, Executive Producer of ABC’s The Bachelor; Kris Jenner, E!’s Keeping Up With The Kardashians;  Teri Polo, ABC’s Man Up;  Chris Powell,  ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition; and Lara Spencer, ABC’s Good Morning America

LINWOOD, N.J. (Dec. 7, 2011) – The 2012 Miss America Pageant promises to be a vibrant, colorful and exciting event, and the esteemed panel of national judges provides a diverse team from the worlds of entertainment, beauty, fitness and journalism. Lara Spencer, Lifestyle Anchor for Good Morning America revealed the panel of judges on this morning’s show. This year’s group of seven judges includes an accomplished dancer and musician, an international journalist, a talented reality TV producer, the matriarch of one of the most recognized families in Hollywood, a successful actress, a fitness pioneer, and a popular journalist.  Each judge will evaluate the contestants from the preliminaries through the final night of competition, which will broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on SATURDAY, JANUARY 14 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT)on ABC.

The contestants vying for the title of Miss America exemplify all that is best in today’s modern woman. Miss America must be talented, intelligent and well-spoken, she is a leader with a strong commitment to her community, she understands the importance of health and fitness, and she is a role model for millions of women not only for her spot-on sense of style and fashion, but also because she has become a relatable “it girl” who can connect with today’s contemporary woman. This year’s panel of judges is comprised of experts who focus on all of the categories in which each of the young women must excel to be named Miss America.