Miss Oklahoma gets a dose of reality

It was bound to happen. In the age of reality television, where viewers get behind-the-scenes glimpses into the lives of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and Hulk Hogan's family, TLC audiences can take a closer look at Miss America contestants with "Miss America Reality Check.”

The program will premiere at 9 p.m. today and will run four consecutive Fridays, leading up to the classic pageant's 2008 adaptation "Miss America Live!” at 7 p.m. Jan. 26.

Miss Oklahoma Makenna Smith, 24, participated in the reality show filmed in Los Angeles during the first two weeks of November. The 52 contestants lived together at an estate with only four bedrooms and four bathrooms to share.

"It was quite an experience, and it will be one of those things that you can laugh about and just be amazed at what you overcame in a two-week period of time,” Smith said.

The contestants were required to wear a microphone all waking hours, and camera crews shot footage in the house around the clock.

"I don't snore, but now the whole country will know that I talk in my sleep. It's just little things like that. You're saying to yourself, ‘Well, I guess this is me, take it or leave it.'”

The contestants were all a bit timid at first, being in front of the cameras nonstop, Smith said. But the nerves wore off, and they became less camera-shy.

During filming, the contestants teamed to compete in challenges and events designed to prepare them for the finale, "Miss America Live!” During the finale, the current Miss America, Oklahoma's Lauren Nelson, will relinquish her crown to the winner of the 2008 competition.

Michael Urie from "Ugly Betty” is the show's host. Special guests include Nelson, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly from TLC's hit show "What Not to Wear,” world-renowned makeup artist Napoleon Perdis, celebrity hairstylist Kim Vo, choreographer Fred Tallaksen, and fashion expert Randolph Duke.

TLC said the contestants and viewers will learn "the latest trends, newest hairstyles and how to represent themselves as role models in today's modern world.” Throughout the episodes, the women will be critiqued on their progress by an advisory board made up of celebrity stylist Jeanie Mae, Us Weekly editor Dina Sansing and celebrity photographer Mark Liddell.

"They really tried to focus each event specifically on an area of competition or something they thought would better us for the competition or just in general in life,” Smith said. "They really helped us focus on fashion and thinking very fashion-forward — you know, hair, makeup, clothes, just making sure that we are up-to-date so Miss America stays current and on to the trends and on top of the fashion world.”

This year's Miss America pageant will be without the usual teased hair, caked-on makeup and over-the-top dresses, Smith said. Instead, the women will aim for a "red carpet-ready” fashion statement.

"You know, honestly, and truly not to take away from anything TLC is trying to accomplish, Miss America will always be Miss Ame