Kalyn Chapman

Kalyn Chapman James is an American model, television host, and beauty pageant titleholder from Mobile, Alabama, who was crowned Miss Alabama in 1993, the first African American to win the pageant. She competed for the Miss America 1994 title and placed as a top-ten semi-finalist.

Pageant career

Chapman was the first African-American to win the Miss University of South Alabama title then competed in the 1991 Miss Alabama pageant. She was named was first runner-up to winner Wendy Neuendorf. The next year she was the first African-American named Miss Mobile Area and two weeks before competing she injured her right knee in an accident on the beach. She placed second runner-up for the Miss Alabama 1992 crown behind winner Kim Wimmer and first runner-up Heather Whitestone.

Chapman was crowned Miss Leeds Area 1993 which made her eligible to compete at the 1993 Miss Alabama pageant, her third attempt at the state title. Entering the state pageant in June 1993 as one of 45 finalists, Chapman's preliminary competition talent for Miss Alabama was performing a modern dance routine to "The River" by Duke Ellington. Her platform was improving education for Alabama's children.