ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Miss Georgia Betty Cantrell is the new Miss America, but her crowning moment was nearly overshadowed by a three-decade old pageant scandal.

Cantrell rode an opera performance of “Tu Tu Piccolo Iddio” from “Madame Butterfly” to the title in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on Sunday night, besting 51 other competitors in the nationally televised pageant. She won a preliminary competition earlier in the week, also with an opera performance.

“I’m still so overwhelmed, I don’t know what to say other than thank you! “ Cantrell told reporters moments after being crowned Miss America.

She won a $50,000 scholarship along with her title.

The pageant also marked the return of Miss America 1984 Vanessa Williams, who was back for the first time after resigning the crown in 1984 following a nude photo scandal. Pageant executive chairman Sam Haskell apologized to Williams, who served as head judge, on behalf of the pageant.

“I want to apologize for anything that was said or done,” Haskell told Williams as they stood on the stage and the audience bathed her in applause. “Vanessa: Welcome back!”