FAQ

Miss United States in Miss Congeniality is based on the real pageant system, Miss United States. Miss United States judges women based on their score in interview, swimwear, formal gown, and platform performance (community service).

Tomboyish FBI agent Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) is forced to go undercover in the Miss United States beauty pageant to prevent a terrorist known only as "The Citizen" from bombing the event.

Miss Congeniality is based on a screenplay written by Marc Lawrence, Katie Ford, and Caryn Lucas. It was followed by Miss Undercover 2 (2005).

"Lara's Theme" from Doktor Schiwago (1965). The lyrics begin "Somewhere my love there will songs to sing..."

When Gracie hears that Frank (Steve Monroe) has taken the crown to get polished, it dawns on her that he is planting the bomb in it. As Stan (William Shatner) begins to read off the names of the runners-up, Gracie tries to alert Eric (Benjamin Bratt) but she can't be understood amidst the clamor and excitement on stage. Fourth runnerup California, third runnerup Nebraska, second runnerup Texas. Gracie is named first runnerup, leaving the crown to Rhode Island. When the crown is placed on Cheryl's (Heather Burns) head, Gracie attempts to rip it off, making everyone think that she is a sore loser trying to steal the crown. In the ruckus that follows, Eric knocks out Frank who drops the detonator onstage, Kathy (Candice Bergen) picks it up and detonates the bomb just as Gracie gets the crown away from Cheryl and tosses it in the air, blowing up the Statue of Liberty instead. Kathy and Frank are arrested, and Eric and Gracie agree to go out on a date when they get back to New York and Gracie "gets all ugly again." Just as Eric and Gracie are about to leave in a taxi, Victor Melling (Michael Caine) comes running out of the hotel, yelling about an incendiary device being spotted in the farewell breakfast room. Gracie runs back inside, only to find that she has been honored by being voted Miss Congeniality.