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'Miss Hell's Kitchen' Set to Represent New York in Miss USA Pageant

By Serena Solomon | January 21, 2013 1:53pm

NEW YORK CITY — The judges thought this Hell's Kitchen beauty pageant winner was heaven-sent.

Actress and dancer Joanne Nosuchinsky, 24, beat out 200 other contestants to be crowned Miss New York USA at Purchase College in Westchester Sunday and will go on to represent the state in the Donald Trump-owned Miss USA pageant in June.

Nosuchinsky, whose Twitter profile urges followers to "Support the arts. Be grateful. Be kind. Be unforgettable," stunned the judges with her white, sequined, strapless gown. But she was so surprised to get the honor, it had to be repeated by a colleague, according to reports.

"My first runner-up told me I won," said Nosuchinsky, who told Newsday she didn't even hear her name called as the winner amid the excitement. "And then I still didn't believe it. I'm so humbled and excited."

Nosuchinsky said she will use her year as Miss New York USA to champion education, according to Newsday. She received her crown from last year's winner Johanna Sambucini, who lives in Greenpoint.

The pageant ran Saturday and Sunday, with competitions for the titles of Miss New York USA (ages 19 - 27) and Miss Teen New York USA (ages 14 - 19).

Contestants demonstrated their character, poise, confidence and personality through numerous segments, including a swimwear and interview component.

Judges included celebrities such as Julissa Bermudez of the Style Network reality series "Empire Girls" and model/actress Susie Castillo, as well as local entrepreneur and Lower East Side restaurateur Matt Levine.