National Spotlights with Connections to Louisiana
Miss Louisiana, “The Traitors,” Stuph'D and More
Miss Louisiana (From @shelbybordelon, Instagram), Stuph’D team (By Jake Giles Netter) and Lane Kiffin (From LSU Athletics)
As a Louisianian, I know how great Louisiana is but am also aware of how insignificant we can seem to the rest of the country. Not only are we directly in the shadow of Texas, due to location and land mass, but we also have an average population size, ranking #26 with 4.6 million people, according to the World Population Overview.
In comparison, California has 39.3 million people at #1, Texas (#2) has 32.1 million and Florida (#3) has 23.6 million.
It’s because of this contradiction – Louisiana being so significant yet likely easily forgotten about among the other states – that seeing people with connections to Louisiana in the national spotlight is always exciting.
And, lately, several Louisiana connections have surfaced on the national stage.
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People with Connections to Louisiana on the National Stage
Miss Louisiana Earns First Runner-Up for Miss America
From @shelbybordelon, Instagram
On Sep. 6, the Miss America 2027 Pageant took place in West Palm Beach, Florida. Miss Louisiana, Shelby Bordelon, finished as first runner-up, with Regan Hutsell of Texas earning the title of Miss America 2027, WWLTV reported.
According to the Miss Louisiana website, Bordelon, from Sunshine, La, is a graduate student at Southeastern Louisiana University pursuing a master’s degree in Strategic Communication. Bordelon’s community service initiative is Claire’s Promise, a nonprofit organization established to honor her best friend, who was killed by an impaired driver, and she works with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Two Contestants on “The Traitors” with Connections to Louisiana
Abbey Benjamin (NBC) and Kriste Lewis (@kr1ste, Instagram)
According to NBC, “The Traitors: New Blood” is a new NBC version of the show, featuring everyday Americans instead of celebrities.
In the new season premiering Sep. 17, contestants will compete in the Scottish Highlands to win a prize of up to $250,000.
Two of the contestants, Abbey Benjamin and Kriste Lewis, have connections to Louisiana.
Benjamin, a pediatric nurse and social media influencer, is from Mangham, La. With 29.7k followers on Instagram, Benjamin shares her journey as a mom caring for her daughter with ADSL deficiency.
Also a mom, Lewis is from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and is a former cheerleader for the New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans Team at Stuph’D Wins Food Truck Race
From: Sweet & Savory: The Legends of Louisville
The New Orleans eatery Stuph’D Beignets & Burgers won the recent season of “The Great Food Truck Race” on Food Network and took home $50,000.
According to the Stuph’D website, Duana Lawrence first opened Stuph’D in 2016 in the back of Legends bar in Mid-City with the help of her cousin, Jeffery Coleman Sr. Since 2020, Stuph’D has had its brick-and-mortar location at 3325 St. Claude Ave. in New Orleans.
Food Network shared that the New Orleans-based team included Stuph’D Founder Duana, her daughter Dionne and Dionne’s father, Sherman.
“Dancing with the Stars” Contestant’s Connections to Louisiana
By Andrew Eccles, Disney
Last week, “Dancing with the Stars” announced the cast for its 35th season airing on Sep. 15. Among the 16 contestants is Sarah Jane Nader from Baton Rouge.
According to ABC, Nader is an actress and model currently starring in “Love Thy Nader,” a reality Hulu/Disney+ series showcasing her family’s journey from Louisiana to New York City.
Nader also has a following on social media, where she primarily shares fashion and travel.
LSU’s Head Coach Makes Waves in the SEC World
From LSU Athletics
ESPN has been extensively covering a recent controversy involving LSU Head Coach Lane Kiffin, the LSU roster and the SEC.
Here’s the breakdown of the issue, according to ESPN coverage:
- On Aug. 24, ESPN shared that Kiffin defended a position to pursue NFL rookies seeking a fifth year of playing college football, while the Southeastern Conference (SEC) issued a statement that former college athletes who have signed pro contracts should not be allowed to return.
- On Sep. 3, an ESPN article reported, “The SEC sued LSU in U.S. District Court in Alabama on Thursday, alleging the university is violating the league’s First Amendment right of expressive association by ignoring SEC rules that prohibit signing and playing former NFL players.”
- On Sep. 6, according to ESPN, the SEC filed an amended complaint against LSU noting Kiffin’s interview with an ABC TV sideline reporter where he shared that the score might have been more lopsided if Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who had signed NFL contracts before attempting to return to school, had been allowed to play.
- Finally, on Sep. 8, ESPN shared that Kiffin added two players to complete its roster, eliminating the possibility of having Wright and Harris on the roster.
Also explore, the secret life of Shelby Stanga told in “Shelby” documentary, soon to be released on YouTube.
