BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) — The road to the glitz and glamor of Miss America is miles from where Ariana Rodriguez's journey began.

"At 12, I entered the foster care system," Rodriguez said.

When she got out, a boarded up, abandoned house is where she, her siblings, and mom who was battling addiction called home.

"We always used to put our water buckets, so that when it rained we would have water to use for our baths, and for us to cook food," said Rodriguez.

"It actually breaks my heart," said local pageant director, Kimberly Lile. "I knew she was going through something, but I didn't know it was that."

"When I turned 16, I actually became homeless," Rodriguez said.

She was living out of her car at the Nelson County Fairgrounds, using a parking lot light to do her homework.

"I think abo

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