Kim of Queens’ Kim Gravel throwback pageant photos as Miss Georgia 1991 and more
Tonight is the premiere of Lifetime’s newest reality series Kim of Queens starring Kim Gravel as a the tough love pageant coach with a heart of gold who tries to transform unpolished young Southern gals into beauty queens. In honor of Kim’s national television debut I thought I’d put together some throwback photos from her pageant career (as Kim Hardee) that included taking home the title of Miss Georgia in 1991 at the young age of 19.
Here’s Kim rocking the swimsuit competition in a pink one-piece that shows off a pair of legs that run North and South almost as long as Interstate 75 does!
But, before we get too heavy into the throwback pics, here’s one of Kim Gravel taken recently to promote Kim of Queens in which she can be seen sporting her Miss Georgia sash and showing off her crown:
For those of you wanting to know a little more about Kim Gravel, here is her “About Me” from the Pageant Place website with more throwback photos tossed in:
Kim Gravel is the Southeast’s premier pageant and beauty coach with an extensive background in both fields. In 1991, at the age of 19, Kim became one of the youngest Miss Georgia in the state pageant’s history. She went on to represent her home state in the infamous Miss America pageant and as a result was asked to serve as US Goodwill Ambassador to Japan.
She has taken her expertise and experience in the pageantry world and uses it now to coach and train the elite pageant contestants of this generation. Kim has worked for Revlon and Christian Dior as make-up artist; served as National Cosmetology Association spokesperson; and served as a make-up artist and stylist to over 100 fashion shows and photo shoots.
In 2009, she launched her own boutique cosmetic line, Beloved Beauty. She has logged thousands of hours as a host of award-winning talk shows “Friends & Neighbors” and “Atlanta Live”. Her comfortable style and solid reputation have made her one of the most sought after interviewers in Atlanta for publicists, authors, actors and public figures.
Combining her expertise skills of communication and leadership, Kim is also a certified Life Coach. Kim works with people in large groups as well as on an individual basis. Her compassionate yet straight forward “Dr. Phil-esqe” style keeps her in high demand as a Life Coach, mentor and advisor.
As lead singer and songwriter of recording group Beloved, Kim entertains and sings to thousands across the country every year, including hosting the sold-out Beloved women’s conference annually in Atlanta. Kim is the founder and CEO of The Pageant Place.
The above bio is very informative, but I think her “About Me” from KimGravel.com is even more revealing, especially her lists of her favorite music and movies as well as her celeb crushes — she has crushes on Robert Pattinson, Tim Gunn, and Tyler Perry; likes listening to Tina Turner, Kate Bush, and Chaka Khan; and her favorite movies are Pride & Prejudice, Twilight and Steel Magnolias. How could you describe Kim Gravel any better than that?!?
Born in South Carolina but raised a Georgia Peach. My passions are my God, my husband and children and my career, in that order. I shop too much, talk too much and a certified control freak. I love people, love accomplishing goals and love giving spontaneously. My goal in life is to always be grateful and enjoy the journey. My secret fantasy is to be on “Dancing with the Stars”.
Birthday
July 27
Celeb Crushes
Robert Pattinson, Tim Gunn, Tyler Perry
Music
Tina Turner, Kate Bush, Chaka Khan
Movies
Pride & Prejudice, Twilight, Steel Magnolias
Hobbies
Talking, Reading auto-biographies, Watching “Behind the scenes of Oprah”
Cant Live Without
IPhone, My BFF, DVR , Loreal Extra Light Ash hair color
And just in case the throwback Kim Gravel pageant photos weren’t enough, here’s a video uploaded by Kim to Youtube with highlights from her competing for, and winning, the title of Miss Georgia in 1991:
Kim of Queens premieres tonight at 10/9c on Lifetime and will air Tuesday nights at 10/9c on Lifetime starting next week.
Here are some more photos of Kim Gravel from back in the day — click thumbnails to enlarge:
All photos: Kim Gravel/Lifetime
