Miss America Betty Cantrell wows Kelly Ripa & Michael Strahan

The world learned Sunday night that Betty Cantrell can sing, but now they know she can plow a field, ride a tractor and do celebrity impersonations.

The newly crowned Miss America appeared on the syndicated talk show “Live with Kelly & Michael” Tuesday morning.

After a video clip of her winning the crown, the 21-year-old waved with both hands to the audience as she entered the studio.

From her new Miss America couture collection, Cantrell was wearing a mostly-white Joseph Ribkoff sleeveless shift dress with plaid-like houndstooth accents of silver and black.

She hugged hosts Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa, who was noticeably excited about the crowning.

“That is my favorite moment ever, always. That moment is the reason you tune in,” Ripa said.

Cantrell perched in the same chair Carol Burnett occupied about a half an hour earlier in the show.

“Carol Burnett sitting right here, that was insane for me,” Cantrell said. “My dad’s like, ‘Get her autograph, if you can.’”

After telling Cantrell she looked “absolutely beautiful,” Ripa said: “I think you were named to be Miss America. Betty Cantrell is the name of a Miss America.”

The crowning achievement came as a total shock to the girl who grew up in peach country between Warner Robins and Fort Valley.

“I did not think it was me. The reaction on my face was totally accurate,” Cantrell said.

“You have a pretty cry, though, so that’s a good thing,” said Ripa, who inspired Cantrell to spontaneously mimic the “I’m not an ugly crier” scene from the movie “Bridesmaids.”

They discussed Miss Macon’s pageant director April Montgomery being Friday’s trivia contestant by telephone.

“I know her,” Cantrell exclaimed, and the hosts playfully acted like they were suspicious that Montgomery might have been name-dropping when telling them about Cantrell’s preliminary talent win last week.

Ripa also had heard of Cantrell’s penchant for impersonations and encouraged her to do a couple of her favorites -- Lois Griffin of “Family Guy” and Sharon Osborne, which both drew applause.

“That’s really good,” Ripa said after Strahan let out a hearty laugh.

But what impressed the former NFL football player the most was Cantrell’s farm talents.

“I learned how to drive a tractor when I was about 9 or 10 and I mowed the lawn with it,” she said. “I can plow a field and all that jazz.”

Ripa and Strahan were amazed.

“You should have won just for that alone,” Ripa said. “The most useful of all the Miss Americas. You can do all of these things.”

Strahan’s mind was blown, he said.

“But you sing. Your talent was opera. You sang opera beautifully, I must say,” he said.

After uttering another of her nearly 15 “thank you’s” on set, Cantrell explained she started singing at age 3 and trained classically beginning at 14.

Ripa wanted to know if opera was her calling.

“I would love to be on Broadway after I finish my college degree, which is going to happen now because I got $50,000 worth of scholarship money from winning this pageant,” Cantrell excitedly said.

“When you get on Broadway, you can come back and talk about which show you’re doing. We’d love to have you,” Strahan said.

Ripa said they’d come see her, too.

“That would be incredible. Thank you so much,” Cantrell said. before waving goodbye to the audience.

To contact writer Liz Fabian, call 744-4303 and follow her on Twitter@liz_lines.

This story was originally published September 15, 2015 at 5:27 PM with the headline "Miss America Betty Cantrell wows Kelly Ripa & Michael Strahan ."