SMYRNA, Ga. -- An Atlanta-area singer said she knows Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is a fierce competitor. Maryline Blackburn of Smyrna went up against Palin in the 1984 Miss Alaska Pageant and won. Palin was runner-up.

Atlanta recording artist Maryline Blackburn is a world away from her reign as a beauty queen. But 24 years ago, she competed for the Miss Alaska crown and won. Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin came in second.

SLIDESHOW: Miss Alaska Pageant Photos 1984

Blackburn told Channel 2's Diana Davis that Palin, then known as Sarah Heath, was a tough competitor.

"Sarah was kinda in my top five. You're kind of looking at all the girls and when I first saw her I thought, 'Oh my goodness, she's absolutely beautiful.' She's a gorgeous woman," said Blackburn.

She had no idea Palin, now the governor of Alaska, was on the Republican ticket until her brother called. "And of course he asked me did I know who Sarah Palin was and I said, 'No,' and he said, 'Yes you do! You competed with her in Miss Alaska,' and I said, 'That was Sarah Heath,'" said Blackburn. "And then I was like, 'Get out!'"

VIDEO: Palin's Pageant Rival Voting For Obama

She said both she and Palin used the Miss American scholarship program to get started. "She has that determined look and she's not going to give up," said Blackburn.

Blackburn said her pageant talent was singing and Palin played the flute. Blackburn said she'll be singing a different tune at the polls Nov. 4. "It's all about Obama, Obama," she said.

Blackburn was Alaska's first African-American contestant in the Miss America contest. She grew up in Fairbanks but has lived in the Atlanta area for 22 years.

ABC's Charles Gibson has secured an exclusive interview with Palin. It will be Palin's first interview since being tapped as Sen. John McCain's running mate. Parts of the interview will air beginning Thursday on "ABC World News" at 7 p.m. on Channel 2.