A Q&A with OU student and Miss America Jennifer Berry

By Matthew Waxman

It has always been said that they redshirt Miss Americas at Ole Miss, but the University of Oklahoma has got the current tiara holder. On Jan. 21, Jennifer Berry, an OU undergrad, was crowned Miss America 2006, joining ballers Courtney and Ashley Paris as OU women who have made national headlines this year. Ms. Berry checked in with SIOC to chat about topics ranging from meeting Adrian Peterson to kissing Dicky V.

OU's Jennifer Berry became one of the most recognizable Sooners after winning the Miss America crown. Photo by Sam Morris/AP

SI On Campus: What's it like being Miss America at OU? Are you all of a sudden a BWOC?

Jennifer Berry: I'm actually away from school for this year because I'm traveling about 20,000 miles a month. I'll be returning next year to finish my degree and do my masters.

SIOC: Are you having Boomer Sooner withdrawal?

JB: Actually, a week after I won Miss America, ESPN flew me to Norman for GameDay at the OU-Texas basketball game and while I was there, I got to go on the court and wish OU the best of luck. No one's told me that I'm OU's good luck charm, but they beat Texas that day, so I'm secretly thinking OU won because I was there.

SIOC: Any dirt on the ESPN guys? Admit it, Jay Bilas hit on you?

JB: I talked with Dick (Vitale). My good guy friends at OU were so excited when I told them I was going to meet him. He was so sweet and really excited to meet me.

SIOC: Dickie V, excited -- hard to imagine. Did he let you touch his famous dome?

JB: No, but he asked me to kiss him on the cheek, so I did that.

SIOC: On a scale of one to Howie Schwab, how big a sports fan are you?

JB: I'm a girlie girl, though I've become more of a sports fan over the years. I love any OU sports I've been thrown into, but I've always been a big football fan.

SIOC: Is one of the perks of being a former Miss Oklahoma that you get Brian Bosworth's home phone number?

JB: I'm not familiar with him. Should I be? Is that horrible?

SIOC: Yes. Did Miss America duties impact your attendance at football games this year?

JB: I bought my season tickets in May, but was named Miss Oklahoma in June, and as Miss Oklahoma you have to take the year off from school. But I had these tickets, so if I had a weekend off, I'd drive down to Norman and go to a game. This was the first season I had to miss some games, so I have to make at least a couple next year.

SIOC: Is there friction between you and Adrian Peterson about who's the more important OU student?

JB: I like Adrian. He's a good guy. I'm a big fan of his, but he probably doesn't remember me. I met him two years ago. He was looking at a billboard in the communications building and I walked up and I was like, "I'm Jennifer Berry, Hi!" I was completely starstruck. He was very friendly and said, "Oh it's my pleasure to meet you." He probably doesn't remember it.

SIOC: Fifty-two girls were packed into a high-stress, competitive environment. How often were cat fights (or pillow fights) breaking out?

JB: Everybody wants me to say that all the girls were stealing each others lip gloss, hiding our shoes, but it didn't happen.

SIOC: We're stopping you before you squash our pillow fight fantasy, too. Is Miss America hitched or rolling solo these days?

JB: It's complicated. I have a guy in Oklahoma that I have dated for a while and he's basically my boyfriend. You can just go ahead and say that. So yes, I am taken.

SIOC: How does he feel being "Mr. America?"

JB: He can't believe it. He forgets and we hang out and he'll go, "I can't believe you're actually Miss America." or "I can't believe I'm actually dating Miss America."

SIOC: How about some Miss America-approved advice about dating for men?

JB: Girls love it when guys plan the whole night and we don't have to do anything. It annoys us when guys say, "So what do you want to do?" Just say, "Be ready at six."

SIOC: Thanks for chatting and be ready at six.

JB: Okay.