Thomas Rhett to Judge Miss America Competition in 2018
Thomas Rhett has been tapped as one of four celebrity judges who will crown the next Miss America.
The "Craving You" singer joins Jordin Sparks, People and Entertainment Weekly Editorial Director Jess Cagle and actress/model Molly Sims at the judges' table for the annual show.
Rhett's not the first country singer to be invited to the judges' table — far from it, in fact. He follows in the footsteps of Cole Swindell, who assisted at 2016's event, and Brett Eldredge, who had the role in 2015. Swindell shared his nerves before the ceremony last year, offering up some advice that Eldredge shared with him.
“The only thing he said was to practice my poker face,” Swindell admits, “because you’ve got these beautiful girls walking straight at you and can’t let ‘em know ‘Oh my God! You’re hot!’” Swindell previously said that his vote would go to someone who is simply looking to make the world a better place. The winner was Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields, who received a $50,000 scholarship and a six-figure salary. In 2016, winner Betty Cantrell said she’d be moving to Nashville to pursue country music when her reign ended.
The Miss America 2018 pageant will air on Sept. 10 at 9/8c on ABC.
Rhett has had a busy 2017 so far. Following the adoption of his first daughter, Willa Gray, Rhett and his wife, Lauren, welcomed a biological baby girl into the world on Aug. 12. On Sept. 8 he'll release his third studio album, the appropriately-titled Life Changes.
Meet Thomas Rhett's Baby Girl!