Terri Utley
Encyclopedia
Terri Amos-Britt is a beauty queen
and motivational speaker
from Arkansas
who was crowned Miss USA
in 1982.
Girls State program. She was also vice-president of the Cabot High School
class of 1980.
, in early 1982. She went on to win the title Miss USA
in the nationally televised pageant held in Biloxi, Mississippi
in May 1982. She was twenty years old at the time.
Amos-Britt went on to represent the United States
in the Miss Universe
pageant in Lima, Peru in July of the same year. In that pageant, she finished as fourth runner-up to Karen Dianne Baldwin
of Canada
.
Amos-Britt's most recognizable feature was her short haircut, which differentiated her from the long-haired beauty queens of her generation. She is also remembered for her exuberant reaction when she was announced as the new Miss USA, as she had the next-to-lowest preliminary score among the semi-finalists.
titleholder from Arkansas
. After she won the title, no women from Arkansas placed in the pageant until Jessica Furrer
's semi-finalist placement in 2005
. Both women are members of Alpha Sigma Tau
.
Amos-Britt was also the first Miss Arkansas USA
to hail from Cabot
, and the only winner until Kimberly Forsyth
of the same town won the title in 2006.
news station. She then became a spokeswoman for Mazda
. Amos then worked as a news anchor on Movietime television (now known as E!
), which gave her the opportunity to cover such events as the Academy Awards
and the Cannes Film Festival
.
Amos-Britt left the entertainment industry to spend time with her husband and family, which included three young children. Her life was adversely affected by the death of her father, which led her to confront the anger issues which she claims affected her role as a wife and mother. She became involved in traditional healing, and studied energetic healing, meditation, and spiritual consulting in Santa Monica, California
. Amos-Britt currently works as a spiritual coach and motivational speaker
in Destin, Florida
. She is the award-winning author of "The Enlightened Mom," voted Best Spiritual Book of 2011 at both New York and San Francisco Book Festivals. To learn more about Terri or her online global community, go to www.TheEnlightenedMom.com
Beauty Queen
"Beauty Queen" is the second song from Roxy Music's second album, For Your Pleasure. The lyrics refer to Ferry's girlfriend, Valerie Leon, one-time UK beauty queen, B-movie actress and model working in the Newcastle area, circa 1973.-Musicians:...
and motivational speaker
Motivational speaker
A motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. In a business context, they are employed to communicate company strategy with clarity and help employees to see the future in a positive light and inspire workers to pull...
from Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
who was crowned Miss USA
Miss USA 1982
Miss USA 1982, the 31st Miss USA pageant, was televised live on May 13, 1982 from the Gulf Coast Convention Center in Biloxi, Mississippi on CBS.The pageant was won by Terri Utley of Arkansas, who was crowned by outgoing titleholder Kim Seelbrede of Ohio...
in 1982.
Early life
As a young woman, Amos-Britt was involved in the American Legion AuxiliaryAmerican Legion Auxiliary
The American Legion Auxiliary is a U.S.-headquartered patriotic service organization for women interested in voluntary service. It is a non-profit organization, affiliated with The American Legion...
Girls State program. She was also vice-president of the Cabot High School
Cabot High School
Cabot High School is a public high school serving students in grades ten through twelve in Cabot, Arkansas. Cabot High School is administered by the Cabot Public School District, which covers the communities of Cabot, Austin, and Ward, as well as the rest of Northern Lonoke County...
class of 1980.
Miss USA
Amos-Britt won her first major pageant title, Miss Arkansas USAMiss Arkansas USA
The Miss Arkansas USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Arkansas in the Miss USA pageant.The state pageant was directed by Premier Pageants from 2002 to 2007 before becoming part of the Vanbros organization in 2007...
, in early 1982. She went on to win the title Miss USA
Miss USA
The Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
in the nationally televised pageant held in Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the population as 44,054. Along with Gulfport, Biloxi is a county seat of Harrison County....
in May 1982. She was twenty years old at the time.
Amos-Britt went on to represent the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
pageant in Lima, Peru in July of the same year. In that pageant, she finished as fourth runner-up to Karen Dianne Baldwin
Karen Dianne Baldwin
Karen Dianne Baldwin, is the first Canadian winner of Miss Universe.-Early life:Before becoming Miss Universe, she attended London Central Secondary School in London, Ontario.-Miss Universe:...
of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Amos-Britt's most recognizable feature was her short haircut, which differentiated her from the long-haired beauty queens of her generation. She is also remembered for her exuberant reaction when she was announced as the new Miss USA, as she had the next-to-lowest preliminary score among the semi-finalists.
Notable firsts
Amos-Britt is the first and only Miss USAMiss USA
The Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
titleholder from Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. After she won the title, no women from Arkansas placed in the pageant until Jessica Furrer
Jessica Furrer
Jessica Furrer is a beauty queen who won the title Miss Arkansas USA 2005.Furrer competed for Arkansas in the Miss USA 2005 pageant held in Baltimore, Maryland in April 2005. She placed in the top fifteen in the pageant, which was won by Chelsea Cooley of North Carolina...
's semi-finalist placement in 2005
Miss USA 2005
Miss USA 2005, the 54th Miss USA pageant, was held in Baltimore, Maryland in April 11, 2005. It was won by Chelsea Cooley of North Carolina.Fifty-one state titleholders competed for the title of Miss USA in the Hippodrome Theatre on April 11, 2005...
. Both women are members of Alpha Sigma Tau
Alpha Sigma Tau
Alpha Sigma Tau is a national Panhellenic sorority founded on November 4, 1899, at Michigan State Normal College...
.
Amos-Britt was also the first Miss Arkansas USA
Miss Arkansas USA
The Miss Arkansas USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Arkansas in the Miss USA pageant.The state pageant was directed by Premier Pageants from 2002 to 2007 before becoming part of the Vanbros organization in 2007...
to hail from Cabot
Cabot, Arkansas
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,269 people, 5,432 households, and 4,329 families residing in the city. The population density was 798.2 people per square mile . There were 5,712 housing units at an average density of 298.8 per square mile...
, and the only winner until Kimberly Forsyth
Kimberly Forsyth
Kimberly Forsyth is a beauty queen from Cabot, Arkansas who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.Forsyth won the Miss Arkansas USA title in a state pageant held in Conway, Arkansas in late 2005...
of the same town won the title in 2006.
Later life
Soon after passing on her title, Amos-Britt studied journalism, becoming a writer and field producer for a West CoastWest Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
news station. She then became a spokeswoman for Mazda
Mazda
is a Japanese automotive manufacturer based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.In 2007, Mazda produced almost 1.3 million vehicles for global sales...
. Amos then worked as a news anchor on Movietime television (now known as E!
E!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
), which gave her the opportunity to cover such events as the Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
and the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
.
Amos-Britt left the entertainment industry to spend time with her husband and family, which included three young children. Her life was adversely affected by the death of her father, which led her to confront the anger issues which she claims affected her role as a wife and mother. She became involved in traditional healing, and studied energetic healing, meditation, and spiritual consulting in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
. Amos-Britt currently works as a spiritual coach and motivational speaker
Motivational speaker
A motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. In a business context, they are employed to communicate company strategy with clarity and help employees to see the future in a positive light and inspire workers to pull...
in Destin, Florida
Destin, Florida
Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida. It is a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters...
. She is the award-winning author of "The Enlightened Mom," voted Best Spiritual Book of 2011 at both New York and San Francisco Book Festivals. To learn more about Terri or her online global community, go to www.TheEnlightenedMom.com