Leanza Cornett

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Leanza Cornett
Cornett at the 2017 Show Us Your Shoes parade in Atlantic City.
Born
Eva Leanza Cornett

(1971-06-10)June 10, 1971
DiedOctober 28, 2020(2020-10-28) (aged 49)
NationalityAmerican
CitizenshipUnited States
Alma materTerry Parker High School
Rollins College
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
TitleMiss Florida 1992
Miss America 1993
PredecessorCarolyn Sapp
SuccessorKimberly Aiken
Spouse
(m. 1995; div. 2013)
Children2

Eva Leanza Cornett (June 10, 1971 – October 28, 2020) was an American television personality and beauty pageant titleholder. She was crowned Miss Florida 1992 and Miss America 1993 the same year.

Early life

Cornett was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, and was a 1989 graduate of Terry Parker High School. She was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2006.[1]

Pageantry

Cornett was previously

AIDS awareness as her platform for her year of service. She became one of the first Miss America titleholders to refuse to wear the Miss America crown at public appearances.[3]

Career

Cornett was the first actress to play a live-action version of

Walt Disney World Resort in 1991.[5] She was also a member of the contemporary Christian music group Area Code,[6] which released their single album, One Big World, before Leanza's big break.[5][7]

Cornett also served as a host for several television shows, including

Her stage credits included

Personal life

Cornett married broadcast journalist Mark Steines on July 22, 1995. Weeks after their wedding, Cornett was let go from her Entertainment Tonight position and immediately replaced by Steines himself.[3] Cornett and Steines had two sons, Kai Harper[17] (born on February 19, 2002), and Avery James[17] (born on November 4, 2003). The couple later divorced after 17 years of marriage.[17] She died on October 28, 2020, after being hospitalized for a head injury incurred in a fall at her home in Jacksonville, Florida.[18]

References

  1. ^ "Florida Times-Union: Apr 8, 2006-Parker High establishes Braves hall of fame". Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2008.
  2. ^ "National Sweetheart Pageant History". Hoopeston Jaycees. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
  4. ^ a b c Grater, Tom (October 29, 2020). "Leanza Cornett Dies From Head Injury: Miss America 1993 & Actress Was 49". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Owens, Darryl E. (September 21, 1992). "Miss America: AIDS' New High-Profile Foe". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Nordyke, Kimberly (October 29, 2020). "Leanza Cornett, Former Miss America and 'Entertainment Tonight' Contributor, Dies at 49". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  7. ^ Fletcher, Jovida (November 1, 1991). "Vocal Group Plans 1st Appearance". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  8. ^ "New Attitudes – Cast and Characters". TV Guide. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  9. .
  10. ^ a b Bobbin, Jay (July 25, 1997). "Vital Statistics – Leanza Cornett". The Daily Chronicle. DeKalb, Illinois. p. 77. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Leanza Cornett". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  12. ^ "Friends remember former Miss America, Jacksonville native, Leanza Cornett". firstcoastnews.com. October 29, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  13. ^ Toone, Stephanie (October 29, 2020). "Former Miss America Leanza Cornett, known for her 'bright' spirit, dies at 49". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  14. ^ "AKC Eukanuba National Invitational Champions – Episodes". TV Guide. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  15. ^ "Disney-MGM Studios – General". WDW Radio. September 17, 2007. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  16. ^ "Tenor cast of BCHS drama alums". The Baker Country Press via George A. Smathers Libraries. September 16, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  17. ^ a b c Johnson, Zach (January 28, 2013). "Mark Steines Splits From Wife Leanza Cornett". Us Weekly.
  18. ^ Nelson, Ryan. "Miss America 1993 and Jacksonville native, Leanza Cornett, dies after brain injury from fall. She was just 49 years old". WJAX. Retrieved October 29, 2020.

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Miss America
1993
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Mary Ann Olson
Miss Florida
1992
Succeeded by
Melinda Miller
Preceded by National Sweetheart
1991
Succeeded by
Elizabeth Simmons