Kira Dixon

{{short description|American beauty pageant contestant (born 1991)}}{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Kira Dixon

| image = Kira Kazantsev 2 March 2015.jpg

| caption = Dixon in March 2015

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|7|20}}

| birth_place = San Francisco, California, U.S.

| alma_mater = Hofstra University

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=5}}

| title = Miss California Preteen 2004
Miss California Junior Teen 2007
Miss Cosmopolitan 2013
Miss City of New York 2014
Miss New York 2014
Miss America 2015

| term = September 14, 2014 – September 13, 2015

| predecessor = Nina Davuluri

| successor = Betty Cantrell

| spouse = Andrew Dixon (m. 2019)

| website = {{URL|kirakazantsev.com}}{{dead link|date=March 2025}}

}}

Kira Dixon (née Kazantsev; born July 20, 1991) is an American beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss America 2015 on September 14, 2014. She is the third consecutive Miss America winner from New York and had won the title of Miss New York on May 24, 2014, while serving as Miss City of New York.

Early life and education

Dixon was born on July 20, 1991, in San Francisco, California, to Russian immigrants who left Moscow in 1990 for the United States, making her a first-generation American.{{cite web|author=Elena Subbotina, Rossiyskaya Gazeta |url=http://rbth.com/news/2014/09/15/miss_america_title_goes_to_russian_immigrants_daughter_39781.html |title=Miss America title goes to Russian immigrants' daughter |work=Russia Beyond |publisher=Russia Beyond The Headlines |date=September 15, 2014 |access-date=June 25, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/miss-america-kira-kazantsev-5-things|title=5 Things to Know About the New Miss America, Kira Kazantsev|access-date=September 28, 2014|date=September 15, 2014|work=People|author=Corriston, Michele}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/09/miss_america_2015_cups_miss_new_york_third_time_kira_kazantsev.html |title=Miss America 2015: Newly crowned Kira Kazantsev talks 'coloring outside the lines'|access-date=September 19, 2014|date=September 15, 2014|work=New Jersey On-Line |first=Amy |last= Kuperinsky}} Her father, George, is a general surgeon and her mother, Julia (née Afrikian), is a real-estate broker. Her mother is of Armenian descent.{{cite web|title=California Birth Index: Kira Kazantsev |url=http://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/kira_kazantsev_born_1991_20736338|publisher=State of California |access-date=May 18, 2015}} Dixon is trilingual, being fluent in English, Russian, and Spanish.

She graduated from Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, California, and served as the student body president in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://photos.mercurynews.com/2014/09/14/photos-former-walnut-creek-resident-kira-kazantsev-is-2015-miss-america/#1|title=Photos: Former Walnut Creek resident Kira Kazantsev is 2015 Miss America (see photo journal)|access-date=September 16, 2014|date=September 15, 2014|work=Mercury News}} She attended Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, with a triple major in political science, global studies, and geography.{{cite web|title=Miss New York Kira Kazantsev |url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/missamerica/contestants/miss-new-york-kira-kazantsev/article_e0eb454a-06b2-11e4-a31a-0019bb2963f4.html |publisher=Press of Atlantic City|last =Gilfillian |first=Trudi|access-date=September 15, 2014|date=July 8, 2014}} She joined the Alpha Phi sorority during her time at Hofstra, but was eventually removed from the sorority by the university due to concerns over hazing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/america-hazed-sorority-pledges-report-article-1.1948702|title = Miss America engaged in 'dirty pledging' at Hofstra University sorority: Report| website=Daily News|location=New York | date=September 22, 2014 }} After graduating from Hofstra, Dixon applied to numerous law schools and was accepted to Notre Dame Law School and Fordham Law School.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/meet-america-kira-kazantsev-article-1.1939672|title=Here are 10 things you need to know about Miss America Kira Kazantsev: She's brainy! She's a beauty! And she plays a mean plastic cup! Meet the Manhattanite who is now Miss America |access-date=September 15, 2014|date=September 15, 2014|work=Daily News|last=Settembre |first=Jeannette}} She stated in interviews, after being named Miss America 2015, her desire to specialize in international law upon receiving her J.D. degree.{{cite news|title=Kira Kazantsev wins the Title of Miss America 2015|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/09/kira-kazantsev-wins-the-title-of-miss-america-2015/|access-date=September 15, 2014|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|date=September 15, 2014}}

In the summer of 2017, Dixon attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business completing the Stanford Ignite entrepreneurship program, which is a "suite of certificate programs that teaches innovators to formulate, develop, and commercialize their ideas."{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/kira-kazantsev-316863128 |title=Kira Kazantsev |publisher=LinkedIn }}{{cite web|url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/exec-ed/programs/stanford-ignite |title=Stanford Ignite |website=Stanford Graduate School of Business|date=October 6, 2024 }}

Pageantry

=Early pageantry=

At age 13, she was named Miss California Preteen 2004, and at age 16, she was named Miss California Junior Teen 2007.

=Miss New York 2013=

Dixon competed in the Miss New York 2013 pageant as Miss Cosmopolitan 2013. She placed in the Top 10.{{cite web|title=Kira Kazantsev: Miss New York 2014 |url=http://missny.org/meet-kira-kazantsev/ |publisher=Miss New York Scholarship Organization |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915073142/http://missny.org/meet-kira-kazantsev/ |archive-date=September 15, 2014 }}

=Miss New York 2014=

The following year, Dixon competed in the Miss New York 2014 pageant as Miss City of New York 2014. She won the title of Miss New York 2014 and was crowned by Miss New York 2013 Amanda Mason.{{cite news |first=Carol Ann |last=Benanti |url=http://blog.silive.com/inside_out_column/2014/05/miss_xxxxxxx_crowned_the_new_miss_new_york.html |title=Miss New York: Kira Kazantsev takes the top crown at Staten Island's St. George Theatre |newspaper=Staten Island Advance |location=Staten Island |date=September 15, 2014 |access-date=May 24, 2014}}

=Miss America 2015=

File:Miss America Kira Kazantsev reads to children living at Aberdeen Proving Ground (2015).jpg, a US military installation in Maryland.]]

Dixon, representing New York, was one of the 53 delegates competing in the Miss America 2015 pageant held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in September 2014. Her platform was "Love Shouldn't Hurt": Protecting Women Against Domestic Violence; Dixon stated that her personal experience with domestic violence was the inspiration for choosing this platform.

For her talent she sang "Happy" by Pharrell Williams as she used a red plastic cup as a percussion, in a manner that was similar to Anna Kendrick's character in the movie Pitch Perfect and Kendrick's "Cups" music video.{{cite news |first=Wayne |last=Parry |agency=Associated Press |publisher=WABC-TV |title=Miss New York Kira Kazantsev Crowned Miss America 2015 |url=http://7online.com/entertainment/its-a-three-peat-for-new-york-kira-kazantsev-crowned-miss-america-2015/307991/ |access-date=September 15, 2014 |date=September 14, 2014}}

During the on-stage question portion of the contest, she was asked what issue women in the senate need to put on the forefront. Dixon stated that she felt military sexual assault needed attention and resources of women in congress.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/15/us/miss-america-winner/|title=A threepeat: Miss New York Kira Kazantsev crowned Miss America|access-date=September 15, 2014|date=September 15, 2014|publisher=CNN}} She noted that she was happy that female politicians were already doing so, and proud to be a constituent of one of these women (Senator Kirsten Gillibrand).{{cite web|url=http://thepageantfile.com/2014/09/18/kiras-on-stage-question/|title=Kira's On-Stage Question|access-date=September 24, 2014|date=September 16, 2014|publisher=The PageantFile}}

She was crowned by outgoing Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri, beating out first runner-up, Miss Virginia 2014, Courtney Garrett. She was the third consecutive Miss New York to earn the title of Miss America.{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/kira-kazantsev-marks-third-straight-new-york-victory-america-pageant-article-1.1940607 |title=The secrets behind New York's stunning three Miss America wins in a row |last=Friedman |first=Molly |date=September 15, 2014 |work=Daily News|location=New York}} Her win made New York the first state to have a Miss America winner three years in a row.{{cite web|url=http://parade.condenast.com/339058/ashleighschmitz/miss-america-2015-5-things-to-know-about-kira-kazantsev/|title=Miss America 2015: 5 Things to Know About Kira Kazantsev|access-date=October 12, 2014|date=September 15, 2014|work=Parade|author=Schmitz, Ashleigh}}

==Hazing controversy==

In September 2014, relying on unnamed sources, Jezebel published a piece stating that, while at Hofstra University, Dixon was expelled from the Alpha Phi sorority for hazing.{{cite news|last1=Ryan|first1=Erin Gloria|title=Miss America Was Kicked Out of Her Sorority for Abusive Hazing|url=http://jezebel.com/miss-america-was-kicked-out-of-her-sorority-for-abusive-1636095561|agency=Jezebel.com|date=September 22, 2014}} On Good Morning America, Dixon admitted her involvement in activities that fit the "broad definition of hazing," but denied the allegations of abuse, describing the hazing at Alpha Phi as "menial tasks."{{cite news|title=Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev Denies Hazing Allegations|url=https://gma.yahoo.com/miss-america-2015-kira-kazantsev-denies-hazing-allegations-131102330--abc-news-celebrities.html|agency=Good Morning America|date=September 23, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/miss-america-kira-kazantsev-sorority-hazing|title=Miss America Kira Kazantsev Responds to Sorority Hazing Allegations|access-date=September 24, 2014|date=September 23, 2014|author=Ward, Michelle|work=People}}{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities/miss-america-kira-kazantsev-admits-she-was-kicked-out-of-hofstra-sorority-denies-hazing-1.9383904|title=Miss America Kira Kazantsev admits she was kicked out of Hofstra sorority, denies hazing|access-date=September 24, 2014|date=September 23, 2014|author=Lovece, Frank|work=Newsday}} In her personal blog, Dixon wrote that not attending national Alpha Phi's judiciary hearing of her case was the official reason for the termination.{{cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2014/09/miss_america_kira_kazantsev_fa.html|title=Miss America Kira Kazantsev faces allegations of hazing|access-date=September 26, 2014|date=September 23, 2014|work=SILive.com|author=Lauren Steussy}}{{cite web|url=http://kirakazantsev.com/2014/09/the-reality-of-miss-america/ |title=The Reality of Miss America |access-date=September 26, 2014 |date=September 23, 2014 |work=kirakazantsev.com |author=Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925102040/http://kirakazantsev.com/2014/09/the-reality-of-miss-america/ |archive-date=September 25, 2014 }}

==Miss America role==

As Miss America, Dixon served as the official National Goodwill Ambassador for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.{{cite web|url=https://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/its-hard-to-believe-a-year-has-almost-gone-by-since-miss-america-2015-kira-kazantsev-was-crowned-on-sunday-she-will-crown-a/ |title=Farewell to Miss America Kira Kazantsev |date=September 10, 2015 |website=Children's Miracle Network Hospitals}} Additionally, to further promote her platform of "Love Shouldn't Hurt", Dixon teamed up with Safe Horizon to launch the #PutTheNailinIt campaign with the aim to "end domestic violence for good."{{cite web|url=https://www.safehorizon.org/safe-horizon-in-the-news/miss-america-2015-kira-kazantsev-talks-putthenailinit-hallmark-channels-home-family/ |title=Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev Talks About #PutTheNailinIt on Hallmark Channel's Home & Family |date=May 20, 2015 |website=Safe Horizon |last1=R |first1=Dana }} The campaign aims to spread awareness of domestic violence by painting your ring fingernail purple.{{cite web|url=https://putthenailinit.com/about/|title=One Small Statement Makes a Big Difference |website=#PutTheNailinIt}}

On November 23, 2014, Dixon appeared as a presenter at the 42nd Annual American Music Awards in Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, in Los Angeles, California.{{cite news|first=Lauren |last=Moraski |publisher=CBS News |title=American Music Awards 2014 top performers and nominees |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-music-awards-2014-amas-top-performers-and-nominees/ |date=November 21, 2014}} On December 15, 2014, she appeared as a presenter at the American Country Countdown Awards in Nashville, Tennessee.{{cite web |first=Eileen |last= Finan |website=People |title=Presenters Announced for American Country Countdown Awards |url=https://people.com/country/presenters-announced-for-american-country-countdown-awards/ |date=December 4, 2014}} She also presented at the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 19, 2015, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.{{cite news |publisher=CBS |title=Country Music's Party of the Year Announces All-Star Lineup of Presenters: More than 20 presenters announced for the 50th ACM Awards. |url=https://www.cbs.com/shows/academy_of_country_music/news/1004054/country-music-s-party-of-the-year-announces-all-star-lineup-of-presenters--more-than-20-presenters-announced-for-the--i-50th-acm-awards--i--/|date=April 16, 2015}} On May 17, 2015, she appeared as a presenter with Pete Wentz at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.{{cite web |publisher=Billboard Music Awards |title=Kira Kazantsev and Pete Wentz Presents Top Touring Artist – BBMA 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5Ia4Vjv6vw |date=March 20, 2018}}

Dixon was also the first Miss America in 35 years to travel with the United Service Organizations (USO) and visit troops abroad.

Career

Dixon is the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' Director of Digital Channels and Community Engagement.{{cite web| first= Brian |last= Golden |url=https://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/cmn-hospitals-celebrates-miss-america-2018/ |title=CMN Hospitals Celebrates Miss America 2018 |date=September 19, 2017 |website=Children's Miracle Network Hospitals}}

In November 2017 Dixon launched a podcast called "What We Do," in which every week she talks with women about, "the tough issues, the challenges we've faced, the best moments, the funny moments and the not so great moments."{{cite web|url=https://www.whatwedo.live/ |title=What We Do |website=What We Do}}

In 2021 she joined Golf Channel as reporter on a number of events throughout PGA Tour season while also appearing on Golf Today and Golf Central shows and becoming special contributor to GolfPass. Prior to that, she served as a GolfPass lifestyle correspondent.{{Cite web |title=Kira K. Dixon |url=https://www.golfpass.com/travel-advisor/kira-k-dixon/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=Golf Advisor |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Kira K. Dixon |url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/kira-k-dixon |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=NBC Sports Pressbox |language=en}}

In 2022, she began covering US swim meets for NBC beginning with the International Team Trials in April continuing through July with the National Championships and in 2023 reporting for the FINA World Championships

In 2024 she worked as a sideline reporter for select college basketball games for NBC Sports.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

In 2023 she worked with Sky Sports at the 2023 PGA Championship.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

Personal life

On September 4, 2018, Dixon announced her engagement to long-time boyfriend and Marine, Andrew Dixon.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/kirakazantsev/ |title=Kira Kazantsev |website=Kira Kazantsev – Instagram |date=September 4, 2018}}{{Primary source inline|date=April 2025}} The couple married on September 21, 2019, in Alexander Valley, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B3QdLnPn0q4/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B3QdLnPn0q4 |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Doing a happy... |website=Kira K. Dixon – Instagram |date=October 5, 2019}}{{cbignore}}