 | |
| Type | Beauty pageant |
|---|---|
| Parent organization | Miss Universe Organization |
| Headquarters | New York City, U.S. |
| Country represented | United States |
| Qualifies for | Miss Universe |
| First edition | 1952 |
| Most recent edition | 2024 |
| Current titleholder | Alma Cooper Michigan |
Owners |
|
President and CEO | Laylah Rose |
| Language | English |
| Website | themissusa |
Miss USA is an American beauty pageant that has been held annually since 1952 to select the entrant from United States in theMiss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operated both pageants, as well asMiss Teen USA, until 2020, when the organization announced it was licensing operation of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants toCrystle Stewart, Miss USA for 2008 prior to her suspension in October 2022, thus returning the said pageants to the Miss Universe Organization.[1] The pageants are now operated by Laylah Rose.
The pageant was owned byDonald Trump from 1996 to 2015 and was previously broadcast onNBC. In September 2015,WME/IMG purchased the pageant from Trump.[2] In 2020, for the first time, theFYI network broadcast the competition. In October 2022, JKN Global Group acquired the pageant fromWME/IMG.[3] It is currently broadcast onThe CW.[4]
The current reigning Miss USA isAlma Cooper ofMichigan, who won the title on August 4, 2024 at thePeacock Theater, inLos Angeles, California.
The Miss USA pageant was conceived in 1950 whenYolande Betbeze, winner of theMiss America pageant, refused to pose for publicity pictures while wearing a swimsuit. Pageant sponsorCatalina decided to pull their sponsorship of the pageant and create their own competition.[5] Other owners have included a subsidiary ofGulf+Western Industries,Procter & Gamble under division of Madison Square Productions andDonald Trump.[6][7]
The first Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants were held concurrently inLong Beach, California, in 1952; the first Miss USA winner wasMiss New York USAJackie Loughery.[8] There were 30 delegates in the first year of competition. Many states did not compete every year during the first two decades of the pageant's history. Since the 1970s, each state and the District of Columbia have sent a delegate each year.Alaska first competed in 1959 andHawaii in 1960. Both had competed at Miss Universe until this time.
The pageant aired onCBS from1963 until2002 and for many years was known for having a CBS game show host as pageant host. The show's highest ratings were in the early 1980s when it regularly topped the Nielsen ratings.[9][10][11] Viewership dropped sharply from the 1990s to the 2000s, from an estimated viewership of 20 million to an average of 7 million from 2000 to 2001.[12] In 2002, then-ownerDonald Trump brokered a deal withNBC, giving it half-ownership of the Miss USA, Miss Universe, and Miss Teen USA pageants and moving them to the network on an initial five-year contract.[13] The pageant first aired on NBC in 2003.
The Miss USA title winner historically represented the U.S. in its sister pageant, Miss Universe. Since its inception, nine Miss USA titleholders have gone on to win Miss Universe. In the mid-1960s, the organization established a rule that when a Miss USA wins theMiss Universe title, the first runner-up assumes the Miss USA title for the remainder of the year. This occurred in 1980, 1995, 1997, 2012, and 2022.[14][15] In 1967, the first runner-up Susan Bradley of California declined the title and the crown went to the second runner-upCheryl Patton of Florida. The only instance when a first runner-up assumed the title of Miss USA before this period was in 1957, whenMary Leona Gage of Maryland resigned after it was discovered she was married.[16]
The winner is assigned a one-year contract with the Miss Universe Organization, traveling across the United States and sometimes overseas to spread messages about their chosen causes. Aside from the job, the winner also receives a cash allowance for her entire reign, a modeling portfolio, beauty products, clothes, shoes, styling, healthcare, and fitness services from different pageant sponsors. She also gains exclusive access to events such as fashion shows and opening galas, as well as access to casting calls and modeling opportunities throughout New York City. When Donald Trump owned the pageant, the winner was given the use of a Trump Place apartment in New York City during her reign, which she shared with the Miss Universe and Miss Teen USA titleholders.
If the winner cannot fulfill her duties as Miss USA for any reason, including if she wins the Miss Universe title, her 1st runner-up takes over.
After losing its television partners, it was announced that Miss USA 2015 would bestreamed on the pageant's website. Shortly before the pageant, however,Reelz Channel announced that it would broadcast Miss USA 2015.[17][18]
In September 2015,IMG acquired the Miss Universe Organization for an undisclosed amount. The company had previously been involved in licensing and production for the events. The following month,Fox announced that it had acquired the U.S. television rights to Miss USA and Miss Universe, beginning withMiss Universe 2015 andMiss USA 2016.[19][20]
Starting with the 2023 edition of the pageant, the Miss Universe Organization announced in August 2022 that it would accept divorced, maritally annulled, married, or widowed women and mothers to compete in the pageant,[21] and the next year adult women of any age could compete.[22] In October, JKN Global Group through JKN Metaverse Inc. acquired the Miss Universe Organization for US$14 million.[3]
Later in September 2023, 2022 winnerR'Bonney Gabriel announced that the organization would be forgoing the age limit, even for all its related pageants, not just Miss USA. Accordingly, beginning with Miss USA 2024, adult women 29 years old and above will also be eligible to participate.[23] Also that same month, the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants would move The CW, with Miss USA 2023 airing on the network and Miss Teen USA 2023 streaming on its app.[24] On April 25, 2024, The CW extended its broadcast rights to the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants in a three-year deal; as part of the deal, the Miss Teen USA pageant will air on broadcast television for the first time since 2007.[25]
In late-June 2015, both NBC and Spanish-language networkUnivision (which was to begin a new five-year contract for Spanish rights replacingTelemundo) announced that they would cut their ties with Donald Trump and the Miss Universe Organization in response to remarks Trump made relating to undocumented immigrants during the launch of his2016 U.S. presidential campaign. Trump threatened to sue both companies over the decision; on June 30, 2015, Trump sued Univision fordefamation andbreach of contract.[26][27] In February 2016, Donald Trump and Univision reached a settlement ending the litigation. The terms of the settlement remain confidential but included an agreement for Trump to buy back NBCUniversal's stake in the MUO.[28][20]
TheMiss USA 2020 was impacted by scheduling delays, difficulty finding a location, and broadcasting issues amid the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic in the United States. In August 2020 it was announced that it would be televised atFYI and would be held in November.[29]
In the summer of 2020, the Miss Universe organization finalized licensing of future annual operation of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants to Crystle Stewart, who was Miss USA 2008, until her suspension in October 2022.[1] The first pageant competitions under her directorship as Miss USA Organization were the 2021 productions.
Shortly after theMiss USA 2022 competition, theMiss Universe Organization suspended the organizers of the Miss USA pageant (headed by Crystle Stewart) after allegations of favoritism toward the eventual winner, R'Bonney Gabriel, while she was stillMiss Texas USA.[30][31]
In August 2023, it was announced that Stewart had stepped down as president of the Miss USA Organization.[32] She was replaced by fashion designer Laylah Rose.[33]
On May 6, 2024, the reigningMiss USA 2023,Noelia Voigt, resigned from the title citing a desire to prioritize her mental health.[34] Two days later, the reigningMiss Teen USA 2023,UmaSofia Srivastava, also resigned from her title. Voigt's resignation statement, which she posted to Instagram,[35] seemingly spelled out (with the first letter of the beginning of each sentence): "I Am Silenced"; although, the last three sentences did not fit this message, spelling out "HIP".[34][36] TheNew York Times later obtained Voigt's internal resignation letter to the Miss USA organization where she cited "a toxic work environment", "bullying and harassment", and delayed delivery of her prize winnings as reasons for her resignation.[37] Both Voigt and Srivastava hold contracts with the Miss USA organization which have confidentiality agreements.[38]
Voigt's first runner-up,Savannah Gankiewicz ofHawaii, assumed the title of Miss USA 2023 on May 9, 2024.[39] Srivastava's first runner-up, Stephanie Skinner ofNew York, declined to assume the title of Miss Teen USA 2023, and as of May 14, 2024, theMiss Teen USA 2023 title is vacant.[40]
On May 15, 2024, the mothers of former Miss USA,Noelia Voigt, andMiss Teen USA,UmaSofia Srivastava, came forward to discuss the circumstances surrounding their daughters' unexpected resignations from their titles. Bound by non-disclosure agreements with the Miss USA organization, the young women could not personally address the situation. Their mothers, however, stated in an interview on Good Morning America: "The job of their dreams turned out to be a nightmare". They claimed that their daughters were exposed to ill-treatment, abuse, bullying, and felt cornered within the organization. UmaSofia Srivastava announced her resignation on Instagram, stating her values “no longer aligned” with those of the organization. Similarly, Noelia Voigt referenced her mental health in her resignation statement. The nature of her cryptic statement hinted at the idea of being silenced, spelled out in the first 11 sentences of her post. Her mother, Jackeline Voigt, responding to queries about the implied message, avoided confirming its deliberate intent but underscored that her daughter felt silenced due to the ongoing provisions of the non-disclosure agreement.[41]
The modern pageant consists of a preliminary competition held a week before the pageant when all contestants are judged in swimsuit, evening gown, and interview competitions.[42]
Every year, applicants must have to choose their delegate for the Miss USA pageant who is at the age of 18 or above on the annual state pageant season.[43][44] Each state holds a preliminary competition.[45] In some states, local pageants are also held to determine delegates for the state competition.[46][47] The state winners hold the title "Miss (State) USA" for the year of their reign.
The most successful state is Texas; ten Texas representatives have gone on to win the Miss USA title, more than any other state, including five consecutive winners from 1985 until 1989.[48] California has the second most wins at six, while the District of Columbia, New York, Hawaii, and Illinois each have four.
Miss USA licenses out the state pageants to pageant directors, who in some cases are responsible for more than one state. As of February 2024, the directorial groups are the following:
At the age of 28 years, 6 months and 13 days,Miss USA 2022,R'Bonney Gabriel became the oldest Miss USA winner in the pageant's history.Miss USA 2015,Olivia Jordan, of Oklahoma is the only Miss USA winner to compete in two major international pageants:Miss Universe andMiss World. The tallest Miss USA isMiss USA 2012,Nana Meriwether, of Maryland at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m).[citation needed]
The first Asian-American woman to win Miss USA wasMacel Wilson of Hawaii in 1962; the first Hispanic woman wasLaura Martinez-Herring of Texas in 1985; the first African-American winner wasCarole Gist of Michigan in 1990;[53] the first Pacific Islander American Miss USA wasBrook Lee of Hawaii in 1997;[54] and the first Middle Eastern American Miss USA wasRima Fakih of Michigan in 2010.[55]
Though no woman has ever won both titles outright,Brandi Sherwood of Idaho is the only woman to have held both the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA titles. She wasMiss Idaho Teen USA,Miss Teen USA 1989,Miss Idaho USA 1997, first runner-up atMiss USA 1997, and in May 1997 assumed the Miss USA title afterBrook Lee of Hawaii won the Miss Universe pageant.[15] Ten other Miss USA titleholders have also previously competed atMiss Teen USA. These include:
Six Miss USA titleholders have also competed atMiss America. These include:
Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA 2004 andMiss Missouri 2002 won a preliminary evening gown award atMiss America 2003. Also, Miriam Stevenson placed in the top 10 atMiss America 1954 asMiss South Carolina 1953.
Many Miss USA winners have gone to pursue careers in the entertainment industry. Those who have been successful in the industry includeSummer Bartholomew,Deborah Shelton,Laura Martinez-Herring,Kelli McCarty,Shanna Moakler,Frances Parker,Ali Landry,Kenya Moore,Brandi Sherwood,Kimberly Pressler,Susie Castillo,Shandi Finnessey,Rachel Smith,Crystle Stewart,Olivia Culpo andCheslie Kryst.
| Year | State | Miss USA | Venue | Placement at Miss Universe | Special awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Michigan | Alma Cooper | Los Angeles,California | Unplaced | |
| 2023 | Hawaii | Savannah Gankiewicz | Honolulu,Hawaii | Originally 1st runner-up, later assumed title after Voigt resigned[39][56] | |
| Utah | Noelia Voigt(resigned) | Reno, Nevada | Top 20 | ||
| 2022 | North Carolina | Morgan Romano | Auburn, Alabama | Originally 1st runner-up, later assumed title after Gabriel won Miss Universe | |
| Texas | R'Bonney Gabriel | Reno, Nevada | Miss Universe 2022 | ||
| 2021 | Kentucky | Elle Smith[57] | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Top 10 | |
| 2020 | Mississippi | Asya Branch | Memphis, Tennessee | Top 21 | |
The awards most frequently presented at Miss USA are Miss Amity (also known as Miss Congeniality) and Miss Photogenic.
The Miss Amity Award is chosen by the delegates, and recognizes those who are the friendliest and make the pageant experience the most enjoyable. From 1952 to 1964, when the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants were concurrent events, the award could be won by a contestant competing either for Miss USA or Miss Universe. In fact, in 1960, there was a tie, with the award going toMiss Universe Burma, Myint Myint May, andMiss Louisiana USA, Rebecca Fletcher. In 2015,Alaska andDelaware tied for the Miss Congeniality award.Vermont andWyoming have won five Miss Amity/Congeniality awards, two more than any other state.
The Miss Photogenic prize was first awarded in 1965 and was chosen by journalists until 1996 when it was chosen by an internet vote for the first time. There has been only one tie in this award's history: in 1980, when it was shared betweenJineane Ford ofArizona and Elizabeth Kim Thomas ofOhio. The state that has won the most Photogenic awards isVirginia.
Louisiana won both the first Miss Amity and Photogenic awards given to a Miss USA contestant.
Other awards that have been presented include Best State Costume (1962–1993, 2021–present[58]), Style (1995–2001) and Most Beautiful Eyes (1993). In 1998, a special Distinguished Achievement award was given toHalle Berry.[59] Berry wasMiss Ohio USA 1986 and placed 1st runner-up toChristy Fichtner ofTexas. She later went on to become an acclaimed actress andOscar winner.
In the first eight years of competition (1952–1959), the Miss USA pageant was held inLong Beach, California. The competition moved toMiami Beach, Florida in 1960 and stayed there until 1971. In 1972, the pageant was held inPuerto Rico, the only time the pageant has been held outside the continental United States. That pageant was rocked by an explosion at the host hotel.[60]
From 1972 onwards, the pageant has been held in various locations, generally being held in each location for two to three years.
As of 2024, the pageant has been held in the following states:
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Many Miss USA and Miss Teen USA delegates have participated in reality television shows and other television game shows. Well known delegates who later competed in reality shows areDanni Boatwright, winner ofSurvivor: Guatemala and contestant ofSurvivor: Winners at War, Kim Mullen ofSurvivor: Palau; Amanda Kimmel ofSurvivor: China,Survivor: Micronesia andSurvivor: Heroes vs. Villains; Candace Smith ofSurvivor: Tocantins; Ashley Underwood ofSurvivor: Redemption Island, and Desiree Williams ofSurvivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers;Christie Lee Woods ofThe Amazing Race 5 andThe Amazing Race 31, Nicole O'Brian also ofThe Amazing Race 5,Stephanie Smith ofThe Amazing Race 17 andAmy Diaz ofThe Amazing Race 23;Shandi Finnessey,Shanna Moakler andHannah Brown onDancing with the Stars;Jennifer Murphy ofThe Apprentice 4;Tori Fiorenza ofThe Challenge: Cutthroat; Brown also appeared inThe Bachelor andThe Bachelorette, otherThe Bachelor stars include Krisily Kennedy, Catherine Warren, Caroline Lunny,Caelynn Miller-Keyes, Alayah Benavidez,Kelsey Weier, Victoria Paul, Mariela Pepin, andSusie Evans.[61]
In 2007,Pageant Place, a reality television show featuringRachel Smith,Riyo Mori,Hilary Cruz,Katie Blair, andTara Conner aired on MTV.[62]
On June 19, 2011,Bravo Television'sAndy Cohen co-hosted the event's 60th anniversary live in Las Vegas withE! News andFashion Police'sGiuliana Rancic.[63] They also hosted the 2012 pageant.[64]
The Miss Universe Organization is announcing that it is licensing both pageants to the former titleholder, actress and entrepreneur. ... Stewart is the first Black woman and person to ever hold the licensing rights to Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.
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