Madison Marsh is the young woman who just won 2023’s Miss Colorado pageant. She’s also an active-duty Air Force piIot who recently graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, which means she will be the first-ever active-duty USAF pilot to compete for the Miss America pageant crown.
Marsh also recently appeared on FNC’s Fox & Friends Weekend to discuss her run for the pageant title and how the miIitary views her decision to go for the crown.
This year’s Miss America pageant has been going on since January 6, 2024.
And Marsh is not just a pilot and pageant contestant. Fox & Friends Weekend host Pete Hegseth, going over her impressive resume, said, “you’re a National Truman Scholar, two-time National Astronaut scholar, eight-time Dean’s List at the Air Force – three-times Superintendent’s List, a National Rhodes finaIist, certified private pilot, and a black belt in taekwondo, and you’re a graduate of the Kennedy School at Harvard.
Then, after they joked about how intimidated potentiaI suitors must be, Marsh turned to discussing why her story is one that is important and worth telling. Doing so, she told the hosts, Cause I started flying around 15, that’s whenever I kind of fell in love with the Air Force Academy and the idea of serving.
And so I walk through what that flight looks Iike and some of the things that went wrong and how they relate to me today as a leader and an officer, and kind of how that goes into pageantry as well.”
In the 1980s, this beautiful woman was on her way to becoming a Hollywood star
In a timeless romance, Naval Officer Zack Mayo swept factory worker Paula off her feet, whisking her away from the mundane confines of her workplace. Debra Winger’s portrayal was the envy of fans worldwide, setting a standard for romantic tales in the iconic film “An Officer and a Gentleman”. Richard Gere’s depiction of Officer Zack Mayo, the dashing naval hero clad in his crisp blues, captured hearts across the globe.
Winger, now 69, retains her enduring beauty that first captivated audiences alongside Hollywood’s leading men. Recently, she’s shared glimpses of herself on social media, her once brown locks now naturally curly and silver. Winger’s career ignited with her debut in the 1976 film “Slumber Party ’57”, leading to a memorable role as Drusilla in the hit TV series “Wonder Woman” (1979), where she portrayed the spirited younger sister to Lynda Carter’s Diana Prince.
Despite early success, Winger bravely turned down further commitments on “Wonder Woman” to avoid typecasting, a decision that proved pivotal. Throughout the early 1980s, she garnered acclaim with Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for her roles in iconic films like “Urban Cowboy” (1980) alongside John Travolta, “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982) as Paula, and “Terms of Endearment” (1983) as Emma, a poignant portrayal of a young woman facing mortality under the watchful eye of her mother, played by Shirley MacLaine.
Yet, amid rising stardom, Winger took a hiatus from Hollywood, sparking speculation that persists over four decades later. Rumors swirled about conflicts with co-stars, including reputed tension with Gere during the filming of “An Officer and a Gentleman”. Co-star Louis Gossett Jr., who played Sgt. Emil Foley, chronicled in his book “An Actor and a Gentleman” that their on-screen chemistry didn’t translate off-screen, attributing friction between Winger and Gere to creative differences.
Winger’s outspoken nature extended beyond Gere; she reportedly clashed with MacLaine on the set of “Terms of Endearment”, where their contrasting styles and personalities led to both friction and eventual camaraderie. The Hollywood grapevine buzzed with tales of Winger’s independence and occasional clashes, enhancing her mystique.
Following her hiatus, Winger returned to the spotlight with “Forget Paris” (1995) alongside Billy Crystal before taking another break to focus on family life in New York City with her husband, actor Arliss Howard. She returned to acting with “Big Bad Love” (2001) and gained further attention with the documentary “Searching for Debra Winger” (2002), exploring her decision to step away from the limelight at the peak of her career.
Reflecting on her Hollywood journey, Winger has remained philosophical, viewing Los Angeles as a place rather than a concept of stardom. Her recent roles in films like “Rachel Getting Married” (2008), “The Lovers” (2017), and “Kajillionaire” (2020) underscore her enduring talent and commitment to diverse roles, reinforcing her status as a cinematic icon who defies easy categorization.
In 2021, Winger appeared in the anthology drama “With/In”, Volume two, in a segment titled “Her Own”, directed and written by her husband Arliss Howard. Her ongoing career continues to surprise and delight audiences, proving that while Hollywood’s landscape may evolve, Debra Winger’s allure and talent endure.
Leave a Reply