Lauren Nelson is best known as Miss America 2007, but her story is about much more than winning a crown. She grew up in Oklahoma, followed her faith, and worked hard to make the internet safer for children. Today she is a wife, mother, speaker, and TV host who still inspires many people.
Early Life and Education
Lauren Paige Nelson was born on November 26, 1986, in Lawton, Oklahoma. She grew up in a close family that taught her to care for others and work hard.
School and College
| Level | Place | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| High School | MacArthur High School (Lawton) | Choir and Theatre |
| College | University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) | Public Relations and Performance Arts |
At school, Lauren loved singing, acting, and public speaking.
At college she learned how to communicate, organize events, and speak to large groups — skills that helped her later on stage.
Starting in Pageants
Lauren entered small pageants while still a teenager.
They helped her gain confidence and learn how to use her voice for good causes.
Main Titles
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Miss Teen Oklahoma 2004 – Her first big win.
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Miss Oklahoma 2006 – Represented the Miss Oklahoma State Fair.
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Miss America 2007 – The highest title in her pageant journey.
Her social message or “platform” was “Be NetSmart – Protecting Kids Online.”
She wanted to teach families about the dangers of the internet and how to keep children safe.
Becoming Miss America 2007
At only 20 years old, Lauren competed in Las Vegas and won the Miss America 2007 crown. She was also the preliminary swimsuit winner and gave a strong vocal performance for her talent.
Quick Facts about Her Reign
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Crowning Date | January 29, 2007 |
| Predecessor | Jennifer Berry (Miss America 2006, also from Oklahoma) |
| Platform | “Be NetSmart – Protecting Kids Online” |
| Scholarship Money | $50,000 |
| Talent | Singing |
| Host City | Las Vegas, Nevada |
Her win was special because Oklahoma had two Miss America winners in a row — Jennifer Berry (2006) and Lauren Nelson (2007).
Advocacy and Public Work
As Miss America, Lauren spent the year traveling around the country.
She visited schools and events to speak about internet safety and children’s rights.
Her Main Goals
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Teach Parents: how to protect children online.
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Help Kids: understand what is safe and unsafe online.
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Work with Police: to stop online predators.
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Encourage Good Digital Habits: respect and honesty on the internet.
She even worked with the TV show America’s Most Wanted in a special project to catch online criminals — a brave move that gained national attention.
Read also: Alexandra Papagianni
Work in Television
After her Miss America year ended, Lauren came back home to Oklahoma.
She started working on a TV show called “Discover Oklahoma.”
Media Career Summary
| Role | Show/Project | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Host | Discover Oklahoma | Travel and culture show about Oklahoma’s people and places |
| Guest Speaker | Local TV and Events | Talks about family life, faith, and career |
| Public Speaker | Schools and Churches | Motivational talks for youth and women |
Lauren quickly became a friendly and trusted face on Oklahoma TV.
When she left the show in 2018, the team shared a warm goodbye video celebrating her kindness and hard work.
Personal Life and Family
Lauren found love and stability away from the spotlight.
She married Randy Faram on October 24, 2009, in a beautiful Oklahoma ceremony.
Their wedding was featured in Brides of Oklahoma magazine.
Family Details
| Family Member | Information |
|---|---|
| Husband | Randy Faram |
| Wedding Date | October 24, 2009 |
| Children | Mason (2013) and Dawson Paige (2016) |
| Faith Activity | Active in church and youth ministry |
Lauren often says her greatest joy is being a wife and mom.
She balances home life with her speaking and media work, showing that women can be both family-focused and career-driven.
Author and Mentor
Lauren also writes and mentors young people.
Her book project, “God, Girls & Growing Up”, helps teenage girls face real-life problems like:
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self-esteem and confidence
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peer pressure
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social media stress
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faith and purity
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finding purpose in life
She often visits schools and churches to talk about these topics.
Her message is simple: You are valuable, you are loved, and you can make good choices.
Values and Beliefs
Lauren’s success comes from a few strong values that she follows every day.
Her Core Values
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Faith: She believes her faith gives her strength.
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Service: She wants to help others, especially young people.
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Honesty: She stays true to who she is, even when life gets busy.
Her favorite idea is:
“True beauty isn’t about the crown you wear — it’s about how you treat others.”
Legacy and Impact
Lauren Nelson changed how many people saw the Miss America program.
She proved that beauty queens can be leaders, teachers, and helpers.
Her Lasting Contributions
| Area | What She Did |
|---|---|
| Pageantry | Showed that Miss America can be smart and caring, not just beautiful. |
| Advocacy | Brought attention to internet safety for children. |
| Media | Promoted Oklahoma culture and tourism through TV. |
| Faith & Mentorship | Guided young girls through talks and church programs. |
Her calm, friendly nature makes people feel comfortable.
She continues to show that real success means using your gifts to help others.
Quick Facts about Lauren Nelson
| Topic | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lauren Paige Nelson |
| Date of Birth | November 26, 1986 |
| Birthplace | Lawton, Oklahoma, USA |
| Education | University of Central Oklahoma |
| Titles | Miss Teen Oklahoma 2004 • Miss Oklahoma 2006 • Miss America 2007 |
| Platform | Be NetSmart – Protecting Kids Online |
| Husband | Randy Faram |
| Children | Two (Mason and Dawson Paige) |
| Career Today | TV Host, Speaker, Mentor, Mother |
Conclusion – A Life of Purpose and Kindness
Lauren Nelson’s story shows that fame can be used for good. She used her Miss America title to protect children, inspire young girls, and share her faith. Even after the spotlight faded, she kept working quietly to make Oklahoma — and the internet — a better place.
Her journey reminds us that:
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Confidence comes from believing in yourself.
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Beauty shines brightest when it helps others.
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Kindness and faith never go out of style.
Lauren Nelson will always be remembered not just as Miss America 2007, but as a woman who proved that grace and purpose last longer than any crown.
