Miss(ed) America Susan Akin: The Making, Breaking and Comeback of a Pageant Queen
Behind the story
Today I’m celebrating the release of a story and recovery I have worked on for over 15 years involving former 1986 Miss America Susan Akin. She bravely allowed me to tell this story, holding nothing back.
You must read this American saga of family, addiction, and recovery to believe. It’s heartbreaking but inspiring in the end, and I’m so proud of her for allowing me to tell this story and for her work in recovery — she’s sober and doing well, ready to tell her story in hopes it helps others.
Here’s the story — it’s magazine length but worth the read. I hope you’ll read it and tell others through sharing. Trust me, you’ve never seen anything like it.
It’s almost unbelievable, from the Akin family’s pet lion in the 1970s to what Susan had to do to win Miss America.
This newsletter today is a special release to celebrate Susan’s story and recovery journey and provide some background.
In my new memoir, A Little Crazy, I first connected with former Miss America Susan Akin, who was in college with me at Ole Miss in the 1980s in the Chattanooga area in 2009. We both lived in the area and struggled with addiction (though I recognized hers, but not mine, initially).
I told her I could help her get back on her feet, that we could develop a TV show on the comeback and her, as a former Miss America.
I contacted a leading production company in LA, immediately landing a contract for Susan. But here’s the problem: I didn’t understand addiction or the level of help she needed, much less the help I needed.
Despite high interest, the show never materialized on TV because we weren’t ready.
More than a decade later, back on my feet, I looked for Susan and found her, quickly realizing we’d gone in different directions since I’d last seen her. She was deep into her third decade of addiction, and it had taken a significant toll.
I told her it was time to share her story, and her first reaction was, “Nobody wants to hear my story.”
Then, it struck me that it was essential to tell Susan’s story. She began a descent into addiction and felt as if she was not enough the moment she had to hand back her crown as Miss America in 1986. She was trained that her story mattered but felt it didn’t.
I believed that telling her story might help in her battle with addiction.
And guess what happened as the publication of this story and my book A Little Crazy, which included more background, neared: She agreed to get treatment and help.
Yes, storytelling is powerful — powerful enough to get someone sober who’s battled addiction for decades.
I’d learned the power of storytelling in helping others from it’s impact on my life, and my family’s, as well as how it’s help do things like build the William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education at the University of Mississippi, named after my late son. Storytelling breaks stigma, and helps us realize, we are not alone.
In telling her story, Susan has helped herself, and no doubt will help others, and I’m honored so allowed me to write it.
Thus, today is a celebration of former Miss America Susan Akin, her bravery, and her recovery. Her story matters, as do the stories of so many women and others who feel they are not enough when they are that and more.
Hi David, I’ve loved your books! Are you writing a book about Susan?