“Good Morning America” revealed the diverse panel of national judges for the 2013 Miss America Competition on this morning’s show. This year’s panel of seven esteemed judges includes an accomplished designer and member of Oprah’s “Glam Squad”; Indiana’s very first Miss America turned marketing professional and philanthropist; a global broadcasting icon and television host who has interviewed the biggest celebrities to the President of the United States; an award-winning dancer, choreographer and television star; a well known morning television broadcaster and weather editor; an entrepreneur, business icon and television star, as well as a 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist. Together, the team of judges will have the important task of evaluating 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 12 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.

This year’s panel of judges is comprised of experts in each of the fields that a young woman must excel, in order to be named Miss America. Miss America must be intelligent, talented, well-spoken, a leader, have a commitment to her community and be modern in her style and fashion - a relevant and individual young woman who can connect with today’s contemporary woman, as well as being physically fit.

As announced today on “Good Morning America,” this year’s seven judges are:

Bradley Bayou– Bradley gained widespread recognition for his many contributions to the fashion industry. As a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America he has received numerous industry honors, including “Mercedes-Benz Presents” Designer for Los Angeles Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios. While the BRADLEY BAYOU couture label is a favorite among celebrities, he also has a ready-to-wear namesake collection at QVC where he has translated couture quality and the fundamentals of his book The Science of Sexy into an affordable clothing line. Bradley’s fashion pieces have graced the covers and pages of many magazines and periodicals including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Essence, Cosmopolitan, People, Entertainment Weekly, and In Style. He is a member of Oprah’s “Glam Squad” and has been a contributor on www.oprah.com as well as an ambassador for NEDA, National Eating Disorder Association, promoting healthy body images in the media and fashion industry.

Cheryl Burke - Cheryl has over 20 years dancing experience and several championship titles under her belt, and as a professional dancer Cheryl has tangoed and sambaed her way into the hearts of millions through the hit ABC television show “Dancing with the Stars” and recently became the show’s first professional dancer to appear in the finals four times, becoming champion twice with Emmitt Smith in Season 3 and Drew Lachey in Season 2. Now at 27, she has used her appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” to propel her career into different avenues. In 2008 she opened her first dance studio, the highly successful Cheryl Burke Dance and has authored a best-selling biography.

Sam Champion – Sam is the weather anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America” and also serves as weather editor for ABC News. In addition to covering the national forecast, Sam travels for weather-related stories around the country and the globe. Since joining “Good Morning America,” he has reported from the frontlines of California wildfires; hurricanes in Florida, Texas, and Louisiana; and from winter storms in Denver, Chicago, and Boston. As part of the morning broadcast’s “The New 7 Wonders of the World series, “Sam has even broadcast live afloat in the middle of the Polar Ice Caps. He reported from Louisiana on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill which included a dive in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, he regularly brings tips and information on how to be environmentally efficient to his regular “Just One Thing” reports. Sam also hosts “Sea Rescue,” a weekly series broadcast nationally on Saturday mornings.

Mary Hart – Mary is best known for hosting “Entertainment Tonight” for nearly 30 years. Her reporting has included interviewing nearly every major motion picture, television and music star of the last 30 years from Dame Elizabeth Taylor and Sinatra to George Clooney, Angelina Jolie and Justin Bieber. Mary was the only entertainment journalist to interview all of the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and she has been honored by American Women in Radio & Television with the Gracie Allen Award, which recognizes those responsible for “exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of broadcasting and electronic media.” She was also presented with the Samaritan Award by the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation for her work on behalf of several children’s charities. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and as Co-Chair of the New Hospital Campaign she helped pave the way for the opening of the new building in July 2011. She is also an ambassador for Childhelp USA that combats child abuse across America.

Daymond John – Star of ABC hit show “Shark Tank,” Daymond is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. Daymond has come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s house and moving his operation into the basement. Daymond is CEO and Founder of FUBU, a much-celebrated global lifestyle brand, and a pioneer in the fashion industry with over $6 billion in product sales. He is an award-winning entrepreneur, and he has received over 35 awards including the Brandweek Marketer of the Year, Advertising Age Marketing 1000 Award for Outstanding Ad Campaign, and Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year.

McKayla Maroney – McKayla is the 2011 World Vault Champion and this past summer in London she let the world know that she'd arrived. As a member of USA's 2012 Olympic Women's Gymnastic Team, "THE FIERCE FIVE," she earned a gold medal with her teammates as she performed a historically epic vault, which will forever be remembered. After arriving home from the Olympics, McKayla discovered she had competed on a potentially career ending toe fractures which required surgery, and a fibula fracture. In spite of these injuries, she joined the Kellogg's Tour. She has become an internet sensation after inspiring the blog website “McKayla Maroney is NOT impressed.” She recently shot a guest star role on the CW television show, “Hart of Dixie,” and will be shooting a second one soon.

Miss America 2009 – Katie Stam Irk – During her year of service, Katie traveled over 250,000 miles on behalf of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, our armed forces, and her personal platform of promoting community service and involvement. Katie has continued to travel the country on her national speaking tour as an advocate, spokeswoman, host, author, branding professional, and performer. She is an Executive Consultant for New Sunshine, LLC in Indianapolis where she specializes in product development and marketing. Serving on the Board of Directors for Ovar'coming Together; Indiana's ovarian cancer awareness organization, Katie is passionate about ovarian cancer research, education and support groups.

On Saturday, October 13th, Gary Collins passed away in Biloxi, Mississippi. Gary, was the devoted husband for over 40 years to Miss America 1959 Mary Ann Mobley and was a beloved member of the Miss America Family. He will fondly be remembered as the Host of the Miss America Pageant from 1984 until 1989 when he served as Miss America's Master of Ceremonies for the telecast.

As we reflect on Gary’s prolific and Emmy Award winning television career that spanned over four decades, he will be warmly remembered for his time as the Miss America Pageant’s host which marked a special era in our Organization. He will always be remembered for his genuine smile and engaging personality, both of which he brought to the telecasts each year. Gary's television career began after serving in the U.S. Army.

Sam Haskell, Chairman of the Board for The Miss America Organization, expressed his condolences, “We were truly saddened to learn the news of my friend’s passing who was such a talented television actor and who made wonderful contributions to the television industry for over 40 years, his legacy will be lasting. Our hearts are heavy today, for we extend our deepest sympathies to my friend and fellow Mississippian, Mary Ann, our Miss America 1959. We will forever remember Gary’s incredible smile, his welcoming personality and the style that he brought to the Miss America stage during the 1980’s. On behalf of the Miss America family, we send our love and prayers to Mary Ann and her family.”

In addition to hosting the Miss America Pageant during the 1980s, Gary also hosted the television shows Hour Magazine for which he won a Daytime Emmy in 1983 and The Home Show. Gary appeared in numerous movies and was a fixture on television in the 1960s and 1970s, playing a variety of guest roles in comedies and dramas including Perry Mason, The Love Boat and Ironside, among others. He also starred in regular series including The Wackiest Ship in the Army and The Iron Horse in the 1960s and The Sixth Sense in the 1970s. He also appeared in Charlie’s Angels, Fantasy Island and so many other memorable television shows from that time.
Our thoughts and our prayers are extended to our Miss America 1959 Mary Ann and their daughter, Clancy Collins White at this time of sorrow. We will treasure the memories of our dear friend, Gary.