Susan Powell

Susan Carol Powell is an American actress, singer, and television personality. Born on March 24, 1959, she first achieved national prominence through beauty pageants before building a career across musical theater, opera, and television hosting.

Powell was born and raised in Elk City, Oklahoma, a community driven by farming, ranching, and oil production. Encouraged by her family after discovering an early talent for singing, she performed at church functions, local venues, and solo singing competitions as a child. She later attended Oklahoma City University to study vocal music under Florence Birdwell, performing in summer stock at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma during her studies.

Her career path began in beauty pageants. Powell won the Miss Oklahoma pageant in 1980 and subsequently won the national Miss America 1981 crown in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in September 1980.

Following her one-year reign as Miss America, Powell pursued a career as a coloratura soprano singer. She made her opera debut with the Seattle Opera playing the role of Adele in Die Fledermaus, earning praise in Opera Canada for her performance and technique. Her singing career eventually took her to stages around the world, including performances with the New York City Opera and the New Japan Philharmonic. Additionally, she performed as a soloist alongside John Williams and the Boston Pops.

In 1993, Powell transitioned into television by becoming the co-host of the home and garden program Home Matters on the Discovery Channel. She hosted the series for nine seasons. Later television appearances include a December 12, 2008 episode of Don't Forget the Lyrics, where she appeared alongside former Miss America winners Heather French Henry and Kirsten Haglund.

Over the course of her career, Powell has received official honors from her home state. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame recognized her as an Ambassador of Good Will from the state in 1981, and awarded her the same recognition for a second time in 2002. She has also continued to tour, lecture, assist with local preliminary Miss America contests, and served as a judge for the Miss America pageant in 2007.