Miss South Carolina USA Forging Entertainment Career

In 2005, Erika Grace Powell was still in the midst of earning a bachelor of music degree for vocal performance at Furman University.

It was also the year she took a huge step toward establishing a career that has continued to blossom. Powell was crowned Miss South Carolina 2005 and advanced to the 2006 Miss America Pageant, where she won the Bernie Wayne overall talent award and placed as a top 10 finalist.

Just last month, the Easley native became the first Miss South Carolina in the Miss America organization in nearly 50 years to also win the Miss South Carolina USA — part of the Miss Universe organization. Both wins came at opportune moments in her life.

"The Miss America organization several years ago was what I needed to pay for college and move to New York," Powell said. "This (Miss S.C. USA) is more of a launch pad for models, actresses and entertainment-based career professionals."

After her first pageant run came to an end, she moved to New York, where she developed her career not only as a singer, but as a model, having appeared in advertisements for big brand names like Lowes, Kohls and Temperpedic.

She has also been seen on television shows like "Ugly Betty," "White Collar," "Royal Pains," and "The Good Wife." While in New York, she performed with the New York Philharmonic Chorus, and had solo opportunities at venues like the Lincoln Center.

One year ago, she moved back to South Carolina, and chose to essentially live out of a suitcase to pursue more opportunities.

"You know, it was surreal. I think it was Jan. 6 of last year when I sat down and brainstormed 'while I'm here working on this music is there anything else I can put on the burner,'" Powell recalled.

"I never imagined I'd do another pageant. I didn't feel I needed to prove anything. It wasn't like I had a hard time letting go of the crown. It was merely a 'Hey, why reinvent the wheel when I can just revisit this and have more doors open up,'" she said.

The returns on her investment have been large. The former Bob Jones Academy student will compete in the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas in June.

And most recently, her career has taken her to London, where she performed with rising British musical talent Thomas Spencer-Wortley.

Spencer-Wortley's style is something Powell, whose first album (self-titled) was produced by Greenville native Edwin McCain, hopes to market for herself on the other side of the pond, aiming to meld the commercial appeal she's developed as a model and pageant winner with classical music to fuel a classical crossover career.

"I've always said I'd like to be a soprano version of Josh Groban," Powell said.

Powell can be booked in South Carolina for entertainment performances. Those interested can contact the Miss S.C. USA organization at 803-648-6220.