Miss USA 2004
Encyclopedia
The Miss USA
2004 pageant was held at the Kodak Theatre
in Hollywood, California on April 12, 2004. The winner of the beauty pageant was Shandi Finnessey
, who became the first winner from the state of Missouri
. Finnessey was crowned by outgoing Miss USA Susie Castillo
, of Massachusetts.
The pageant was hosted by Billy Bush and Nancy O'Dell, the first time this partnership had hosted the pageant. Bush had previously hosted Miss USA 2003
and Miss Universe 2003
.
For the first time since 1970, fifteen semi-finalists competed in the final competition, although not all the semi-finalists competed in both the swimsuit and evening gown. Following the new format established at Miss Universe 2003
and Miss Teen USA 2003
, the top fifteen semi-finalists were reduced to ten after the evening gown competition, and then to the final five after swimsuits. This was the first time that contestants did not have the opportunity to compete in both competitions.
special, in which Tara Darby of Alabama
won the $50,000 prize (half of which to be donated to the charity of her choice).
Miss USA
The Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
2004 pageant was held at the Kodak Theatre
Kodak Theatre
The Kodak Theatre is a live theatre in the Hollywood and Highland shopping mall and entertainment complex on Hollywood Boulevard and North Highland Avenue in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles...
in Hollywood, California on April 12, 2004. The winner of the beauty pageant was Shandi Finnessey
Shandi Finnessey
Shandi Ren Finnessey is an American beauty queen, model, television hostess, and actress. She is best known for winning the Miss USA title, as Miss Missouri USA. She previously held the title of Miss Missouri 2002 and competed in Miss America where she won a preliminary award...
, who became the first winner from the state of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. Finnessey was crowned by outgoing Miss USA Susie Castillo
Susie Castillo
Susie Castillo is a former beauty queen who held the Miss USA title and competed in the Miss Teen USA and Miss Universe pageants...
, of Massachusetts.
The pageant was hosted by Billy Bush and Nancy O'Dell, the first time this partnership had hosted the pageant. Bush had previously hosted Miss USA 2003
Miss USA 2003
The Miss USA 2003 pageant was held in San Antonio, Texas March 24, 2003, the first time it had been held in this state since 1996 when the pageant was held in South Padre Island...
and Miss Universe 2003
Miss Universe 2003
Miss Universe 2003, the 52nd Miss Universe pageant, was held at Figali Convention Center, Panama City, Panama on June 3, 2003. 71 delegates from around the universe competed for the crown...
.
For the first time since 1970, fifteen semi-finalists competed in the final competition, although not all the semi-finalists competed in both the swimsuit and evening gown. Following the new format established at Miss Universe 2003
Miss Universe 2003
Miss Universe 2003, the 52nd Miss Universe pageant, was held at Figali Convention Center, Panama City, Panama on June 3, 2003. 71 delegates from around the universe competed for the crown...
and Miss Teen USA 2003
Miss Teen USA 2003
Miss Teen USA 2003, the 21st Miss Teen USA pageant, was televised live from Palm Springs on 12 August 2003. At the conclusion of the final competition, Miss Oregon Teen USA Tami Farrell was crowned by outgoing queen Vanessa Semrow of Wisconsin....
, the top fifteen semi-finalists were reduced to ten after the evening gown competition, and then to the final five after swimsuits. This was the first time that contestants did not have the opportunity to compete in both competitions.
Placements
| Final results | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss USA 2004 |
|
| 1st runner-up |
 South CarolinaMiss South Carolina USA The Miss South Carolina USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state South Carolina in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant has been produced by RPM Productions since 1980.... - Amanda Pennekamp |
| 2nd runner-up |
 North CarolinaMiss North Carolina USA The Miss North Carolina USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state North Carolina in the Miss USA pageant. This state is part of the RPM Productions group.... - Ashley Puleo |
| 3rd runner-up |
 OklahomaMiss Oklahoma USA For the article about the Miss America state pageant, see Miss OklahomaThe Miss Oklahoma USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Oklahoma in the Miss USA pageant.... - Lindsey Hill |
| 4th runner-up |
 TennesseeMiss Tennessee USA The Miss Tennessee USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Tennessee in the Miss USA pageant.Since 2001 the pageant has been held in the auditorium at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee.... - Stephanie Culberson Stephanie Culberson Stephanie Marie Culberson is a beauty queen from Knoxville, Tennessee who has competed in the Miss America and Miss USA pageants. She is one of only four women who has placed in the top five in both nationally televised pageants.-Biography:... |
| Top 10 |
 AlabamaMiss Alabama USA The Miss Alabama USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Alabama in the Miss USA pageant.Alabama is one of the more successful and consistent states at Miss USA. Although they have had a number of runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists, they have only... - Tara Darby  FloridaMiss Florida USA The Miss Florida USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Florida in the Miss USA pageant.While Florida has been successful in terms of runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists, the state has never won the Miss USA pageant, although Cheryl Patton became Miss USA... - Kristen Berset  GeorgiaMiss Georgia USA The Miss Georgia USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Georgia in the Miss USA pageant.Historically, Georgia has been the eleventh most successful state at Miss USA and has performed in more recent years, placing eighth on the table of most successful states... - Caroline Medley  IdahoMiss Idaho USA The Miss Idaho USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state of Idaho in the Miss USA pageant.Idaho is one of the least successful states in the history of the competition, with only four placements in fifty-seven years... - Kimberly Weible  OregonMiss Oregon USA The Miss Oregon USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Oregon in the Miss USA pageant.Oregon has only had limited success at Miss USA and has never won the competition. The highest placed Miss Oregon USA was Gail Atchison who finished 2nd runner-up to... - Jennifer Murphy Jennifer Murphy Jennifer Murphy is an actress,beauty queen, reality television contestant and business woman.Murphy grew up in Medford, southern Oregon, with her eleven siblings... |
| Top 15 |
 ArizonaMiss Arizona USA The Miss Arizona USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Arizona in the Miss USA pageant.In 2005 the rights to produce the Miss Arizona USA pageant were given to Casting Crown productions... - Danielle Demski Danielle Demski Danielle Demski is a television presenter and beauty queen from Chandler, Arizona who has competed in the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants.Demski won her first pageant title in 1998, when she was crowned Miss Arizona Teen USA 1999...  New HampshireMiss New Hampshire USA The Miss New Hampshire USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New Hampshire in the Miss USA pageant.New Hampshire has had little success at Miss USA, and has only placed four times... - Vanessa Bissanti  New MexicoMiss New Mexico USA For the state pageant affiliated with Miss America, see Miss New MexicoThe Miss New Mexico USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New Mexico in the Miss USA pageant.... - Jenna Hardin  TexasMiss Texas USA The Miss Texas USA competition is the pageant who selects the representative for the state Texas in the Miss USA pageant. In turn, the winner of Miss USA competes for the title of Miss Universe.... - Stephanie Guerrero Stephanie Guerrero Stephanie Guerrero is a beauty queen from Houston, Texas who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.Guerrero won the Miss Texas USA 2004 title in a state pageant held in Lubbock, Texas on July 28, 2003. Competing against 99 other contestants as Miss Houston, Guerrero also won the swimsuit award...  WashingtonMiss Washington USA The Miss Washington USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Washington in the Miss USA pageant.Washington has been moderately successful in terms of number of semi-finalists and placements, and has had one Miss USA... - Tara McCormick |
Special awards
- Miss Photogenic: Jennifer Sherrill (ArkansasMiss Arkansas USAThe Miss Arkansas USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Arkansas in the Miss USA pageant.The state pageant was directed by Premier Pageants from 2002 to 2007 before becoming part of the Vanbros organization in 2007...
) - Miss Congeniality: Michelle Fongemie (VermontMiss Vermont USAThe Miss Vermont USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Vermont in the Miss USA pageant.Vermont is one of the least successful states, but they have produced a Miss USA - Carlene King Johnson in 1955...
)
Delegates
The Miss USA 2004 delegates were:- AlabamaMiss Alabama USAThe Miss Alabama USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Alabama in the Miss USA pageant.Alabama is one of the more successful and consistent states at Miss USA. Although they have had a number of runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists, they have only...
– Tara Darby - AlaskaMiss Alaska USAThe Miss Alaska USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Alaska in the Miss USA pageant.Alaska's highest placement was in 1964, with Patricia Marlin as the second runner up. Alaska's most recent placement was in 1990 when Karin Meyer placed in the top 6...
– Cari Leyva - ArizonaMiss Arizona USAThe Miss Arizona USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Arizona in the Miss USA pageant.In 2005 the rights to produce the Miss Arizona USA pageant were given to Casting Crown productions...
– Danielle DemskiDanielle DemskiDanielle Demski is a television presenter and beauty queen from Chandler, Arizona who has competed in the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants.Demski won her first pageant title in 1998, when she was crowned Miss Arizona Teen USA 1999... - ArkansasMiss Arkansas USAThe Miss Arkansas USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Arkansas in the Miss USA pageant.The state pageant was directed by Premier Pageants from 2002 to 2007 before becoming part of the Vanbros organization in 2007...
– Jennifer Sherrill - CaliforniaMiss California USAMiss California USA is a pageant that selects the representative for the state of California in the Miss USA pageant.The current titleholder is Katie Blair. She succeeded Alyssa Campanella on June 25, 2011 after Campanella was crowned Miss USA 2011....
– Ellen ChapmanEllen ChapmanEllen Chapman Keegan is a beauty queen from San Jose, California who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.Chapman's first pageant title was Miss Teenage California 1999 and her second Miss California United States 2002. In 2002 she competed in the Miss California USA pageant for the first time,... - ColoradoMiss Colorado USAThe Miss Colorado USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Colorado in the Miss USA pageant. The event was held in Loveland from 2006 to 2008 and moved to Greeley in 2010....
– Janel Haw - ConnecticutMiss Connecticut USAThe Miss Connecticut USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Connecticut in the Miss USA pageant. This pageant is directed by Crown Productions, who took over the pageant in 2003....
– Sheila Wiatr - DelawareMiss Delaware USAThe Miss Delaware USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Delaware in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant is directed by D&D Investments....
– Courtney Purdy - District of ColumbiaMiss District of Columbia USAThe Miss District of Columbia USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the District of Columbia in the Miss USA pageant....
– Tiara Christen Dews - FloridaMiss Florida USAThe Miss Florida USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Florida in the Miss USA pageant.While Florida has been successful in terms of runners-up, finalists and semi-finalists, the state has never won the Miss USA pageant, although Cheryl Patton became Miss USA...
– Kristen BersetKristen BersetKristen Berset is a pageant titleholder from St. Petersburg, Florida who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.Berset won the Miss Florida USA 2004 title in mid 2003 and represented Florida in the Miss USA 2004 pageant held in Hollywood, California in April 2004... - GeorgiaMiss Georgia USAThe Miss Georgia USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Georgia in the Miss USA pageant.Historically, Georgia has been the eleventh most successful state at Miss USA and has performed in more recent years, placing eighth on the table of most successful states...
– Caroline Medley - HawaiiMiss Hawaii USAThe Miss Hawaii USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Hawaii in the Miss USA pageant.Hawaii is the most recent state to start competing at Miss USA, as it first competed in 1962. Prior to this delegates were sent to Miss Universe...
– Justine Michioka - IdahoMiss Idaho USAThe Miss Idaho USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state of Idaho in the Miss USA pageant.Idaho is one of the least successful states in the history of the competition, with only four placements in fifty-seven years...
– Kimberly Glyn Weible - IllinoisMiss Illinois USAThe Miss Illinois USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state Illinois in the Miss USA pageant.Illinois is one of the most successful states in the competition. It is one of only four states to have won four or more Miss USA titles and one of only three states to...
– Molly Graham - IndianaMiss Indiana USAThe Miss Indiana USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Indiana in the Miss USA pageant.Nine Miss Indiana USA winners previously competed at Miss Teen USA. The state currently holds the record for the most Miss Teen USA state winners to win a Miss USA...
– Stephanie "Steffi" Keusch - IowaMiss Iowa USAThe Miss Iowa USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Iowa in the Miss USA pageant.While Iowa has not been greatly successful in the past four decades, they were one of the most consistent states in the first decade of the pageant's existence...
– Brooke Hansen - KansasMiss Kansas USAThe Miss Kansas USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state of Kansas in the Miss USA pageant.Kansas did not place at Miss USA until 1973, the third-to-last state to make their first placement. From then, no delegate from Kansas made the cut until 1991, when Kelli...
– Lisa ForbesLisa ForbesLisa Marie Forbes is a beauty queen from Overland Park, Kansas who competed in the Miss USA pageant and went on to compete at Miss Earth 2007.-Pageants:... - KentuckyMiss Kentucky USAThe Miss Kentucky USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Kentucky in the Miss USA pageant. The current director for the Miss Kentucky USA and Miss Kentucky Teen USA titles is Connie Clark Harrison. Mrs...
– Lauren Stengel - LouisianaMiss Louisiana USAThe Miss Louisiana USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Louisiana in the Miss USA pageant.Louisiana is one of the most successful states at Miss USA and is one of only seven states to have had three or more Miss USAs.Three Miss Louisiana USA titleholders...
– Melissa McConnellMelissa McConnellMelissa Marie McConnell is a beauty queen who has held the title Miss Louisiana USA and has competed at Miss USA.McConnell, who hails from Ruston, Louisiana, is an experienced pageant contestant... - MaineMiss Maine USAThe Miss Maine USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Maine in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant has been directed by Mackenzie Davis, Miss Maine USA 2004, since 2007....
– Mackenzie Davis - MarylandMiss Maryland USAThe Miss Maryland USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Maryland in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant is directed by D&D Investments....
– Tia ShortsTia ShortsTia Shorts is a beauty queen from Germantown, Maryland who was crowned Miss Maryland USA 2004. She competed in the Miss USA 2004 pageant but was unplaced.-External links:**... - MassachusettsMiss Massachusetts USAThe Miss Massachusetts USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Massachusetts in the Miss USA pageant....
– Maria LekkakosMaria LekkakosMaria Lekkakos, born and raised in Lynn, MA is a beauty pageant contestant who later grew up in Rockport, Massachusetts who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.... - MichiganMiss Michigan USAThe Miss Michigan USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Michigan in the Miss USA pageant.Michigan is recognized by as being within the top 15 states in terms of Miss USA success. Their first Miss USA victory was in 1990, and notable because Carole Gist...
– Stacey Lee - MinnesotaMiss Michigan USAThe Miss Michigan USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Michigan in the Miss USA pageant.Michigan is recognized by as being within the top 15 states in terms of Miss USA success. Their first Miss USA victory was in 1990, and notable because Carole Gist...
– Jessica DereschukJessica DereschukJessica Ann Dereschuk is a beauty queen from Stacy, Minnesota, who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.Dereschuk was born to Gregory & Valarie Vaught Dereschuk. She has two brothers named Nicholas and Mikhail and one sister named Alexandra.Dereschuk won the Miss Minnesota USA title in her first... - MississippiMiss Mississippi USAThe Miss Mississippi USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Mississippi in the Miss USA pageant.Mississippi has not been very successful in Miss USA pageants, with only 10 placements as of 2010...
– Beth Richards - MissouriMiss Missouri USAThe Miss Missouri USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Missouri in the Miss USA pageant. In 1993, Missouri joined the Vanbros group of state pageants for the Miss USA and Teen USA system....
– Shandi FinnesseyShandi FinnesseyShandi Ren Finnessey is an American beauty queen, model, television hostess, and actress. She is best known for winning the Miss USA title, as Miss Missouri USA. She previously held the title of Miss Missouri 2002 and competed in Miss America where she won a preliminary award...
- MontanaMiss Montana USAThe Miss Montana USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Montana in the Miss USA pageant.Montana is one of the least successful states in Miss USA history, but there has been success in other pageants. Miss Montana USA 2005 Amanda Kimmel was chosen to...
– Molly Flynn - NebraskaMiss Nebraska USAThe Miss Nebraska USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Nebraska in the Miss USA pageant.In 2002, Nebraska joined the Vanbros group of state pageants for the Miss USA and Teen USA system....
– Guerin AustinGuerin AustinGuerin Austin is a television host/personality, model and beauty queen from Seattle, Washington who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.Austin has hosted several television shows and specials. She specializes in entertainment news, travel and lifestyle television... - NevadaMiss Nevada USAThe Miss Nevada USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Nevada in the Miss USA pageant.While Nevada did well in the early years of the Miss USA pageant, they only placed once from 1987 to 2000...
– Victoria Franklin - New HampshireMiss New Hampshire USAThe Miss New Hampshire USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New Hampshire in the Miss USA pageant.New Hampshire has had little success at Miss USA, and has only placed four times...
– Vanessa Bissanti - New JerseyMiss New Jersey USAThe Miss New Jersey USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New Jersey in the Miss USA pageant.New Jersey has had only moderate success at Miss USA, and has never produced a winner. New Jersey's best streak was from 1989 to 1991 when they had two 2nd...
– Janaye IngramJanaye IngramJanaye Michelle Ingram is a beauty queen from Cherry Hill, New Jersey who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.Ingram was crowned Miss New Jersey USA 2004 in Jersey City, New Jersey in late 2003. It was her second attempt at the title as she had competed for the title the previous year and was... - New MexicoMiss New Mexico USAFor the state pageant affiliated with Miss America, see Miss New MexicoThe Miss New Mexico USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New Mexico in the Miss USA pageant....
– Jenna Hardin - New YorkMiss New York USAThe Miss New York USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New York in the Miss USA pageant. Amber Collins is the reigning Miss New York USA 2011...
– Jaclyn NesheiwatJaclyn NesheiwatJaclyn Nesheiwat Stapp is an actress, beauty queen, philanthropist, fashion model, and children’s book author with pageant roots in Florida and New York. She is one of five children raised in Umatilla, Florida... - North CarolinaMiss North Carolina USAThe Miss North Carolina USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state North Carolina in the Miss USA pageant. This state is part of the RPM Productions group....
– Ashley Puleo - North DakotaMiss North Dakota USAThe Miss North Dakota USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of North Dakota in the Miss USA pageant.North Dakota has had only three placements and have never won the Miss USA crown. Their highest placement was in 1966 when Judy Slayton placed 3rd runner-up to...
– Jennifer Smith - OhioMiss Ohio USAThe Miss Ohio USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Ohio in the Miss USA pageant.Ohio achieved success in the first decades of the Miss USA competition but has not done as well in recent years...
– Lauren Kelsey HallLauren Kelsey HallLauren Kelsey Hall is a beauty queen from Wellston, Ohio, who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.Hall won the Miss Ohio USA 2004 title in a state pageant held in November 2003. It was her second attempt at the title, as she made the finals in the 2003 event won by Candace Smith. Hall won the... - OklahomaMiss Oklahoma USAFor the article about the Miss America state pageant, see Miss OklahomaThe Miss Oklahoma USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Oklahoma in the Miss USA pageant....
– Lindsey Hill - OregonMiss Oregon USAThe Miss Oregon USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Oregon in the Miss USA pageant.Oregon has only had limited success at Miss USA and has never won the competition. The highest placed Miss Oregon USA was Gail Atchison who finished 2nd runner-up to...
– Jennifer MurphyJennifer MurphyJennifer Murphy is an actress,beauty queen, reality television contestant and business woman.Murphy grew up in Medford, southern Oregon, with her eleven siblings... - PennsylvaniaMiss Pennsylvania USAThe Miss Pennsylvania USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Pennsylvania in the Miss USA pageant.Michele McDonald is Pennsylvania's only Miss USA so far. At only eighteen, she was one of the youngest competitors ever to win the crown...
– Nicole Georghalli - Rhode IslandMiss Rhode Island USAThe Miss Rhode Island USA competition is the beauty pageant that selects the representative for the state Rhode Island in the Miss USA pageant....
– Sarah Rose Bettencourt - South CarolinaMiss South Carolina USAThe Miss South Carolina USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state South Carolina in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant has been produced by RPM Productions since 1980....
– Amanda Pennekamp - South DakotaMiss South Dakota USAThe Miss South Dakota USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of South Dakota in the Miss USA pageant. This state pageant is currently directed by Future Productions....
– Andrea Parliament - TennesseeMiss Tennessee USAThe Miss Tennessee USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Tennessee in the Miss USA pageant.Since 2001 the pageant has been held in the auditorium at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee....
– Stephanie CulbersonStephanie CulbersonStephanie Marie Culberson is a beauty queen from Knoxville, Tennessee who has competed in the Miss America and Miss USA pageants. She is one of only four women who has placed in the top five in both nationally televised pageants.-Biography:... - TexasMiss Texas USAThe Miss Texas USA competition is the pageant who selects the representative for the state Texas in the Miss USA pageant. In turn, the winner of Miss USA competes for the title of Miss Universe....
– Stephanie GuerreroStephanie GuerreroStephanie Guerrero is a beauty queen from Houston, Texas who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.Guerrero won the Miss Texas USA 2004 title in a state pageant held in Lubbock, Texas on July 28, 2003. Competing against 99 other contestants as Miss Houston, Guerrero also won the swimsuit award... - UtahMiss Utah USAThe Miss Utah USA competition is the pageant who selects the representative for the state of Utah in the Miss USA pageant.Utah has been quite successful at Miss USA, with 20 placements as of 2009. Their most consistent period was in the 1950s and 1960s. Utah has produced one Miss USA in 1960...
– Kyla Faye Dickerson - VermontMiss Vermont USAThe Miss Vermont USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Vermont in the Miss USA pageant.Vermont is one of the least successful states, but they have produced a Miss USA - Carlene King Johnson in 1955...
– Michelle Fongemie - VirginiaMiss Virginia USAThe Miss Virginia USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Virginia in the Miss USA pageant.Virginia has been only moderately successful in terms of number of semi-finalists, they have had two Miss USAs. They are one of only three states to have had two Miss...
– Kristi Lauren GlakasKristi Lauren GlakasKristi Lauren Glakas Ingram is an American beauty pageant contestant.- Personal life :She attended George Mason University and majored in 20th Century English with a Pre-Medicine Concentration. She was on George Mason University Dean's List Scholar and recipient of the Hoya Crystal Scholarship... - WashingtonMiss Washington USAThe Miss Washington USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Washington in the Miss USA pageant.Washington has been moderately successful in terms of number of semi-finalists and placements, and has had one Miss USA...
– Tara McCormick - West VirginiaMiss West Virginia USAThe Miss West Virginia USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of West Virginia in the Miss USA pageant.West Virginia has not been greatly successful at Miss USA and they have never produced a winner...
– Carolyn Jennings - WisconsinMiss Wisconsin USAThe Miss Wisconsin USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Wisconsin in the Miss USA pageant. Since 2008 the state pageant has been directed by Future Productions of Savage, Minnesota....
– Jenna Shultz - WyomingMiss Wyoming USA, Miss Wyoming USA 2012]]The Miss Wyoming USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Wyoming in the Miss USA pageant. The Miss Wyoming USA pageant is currently produced by Future Productions....
– Katie Rudoff
Historical significance
- This became the first win for Missouri in pageant history.
- South Carolina had its highest placement since Lu ParkerLu ParkerFrances Louise "Lu" Parker is a broadcast journalist and former Miss USA from South Carolina.- Early life :Born in Anderson, South Carolina, Parker attended the College of Charleston, where she was a sister of Alpha Delta Pi and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She then went on to...
won Miss USA 1994Miss USA 1994Miss USA 1994, the 43rd Miss USA pageant, was televised live from the South Padre Island Convention Centre on South Padre Island, Texas on 11 February 1994...
. South Carolina also placed for the fourth time in five years. - North Carolina had its best finish in 10 years and its best finish for the third time in pageant history. North Carolina finished 2nd Runner-Up in 1975 and 1994.
- Oklahoma had its best finish in the pageant since 1989.
- Tennessee repeated its highest placement for the second time since Lynnette ColeLynnette ColeLynnette Cole-O'Nan , won the title Miss Tennessee USA in 2000. She went on to become the first woman from that state to win the Miss USA pageant, which was held in Branson, Missouri on February 4, 2000....
won Miss USA 2000Miss USA 2000Miss USA 2000, the forty-ninth Miss USA pageant, was held in Branson, Missouri at The Grand Palace on February 4, 2000.At the conclusion of the final competition, Lynnette Cole of Tennessee was crowned by outgoing titleholder Kimberly Pressler of New York....
. - Alabama makes it through the first cut for the third time in a row.
- Florida makes it through the first cut for the first time since 1997.
- Idaho had its first placement since Brandi SherwoodBrandi SherwoodBrandi Sherwood is an American model and pageant winner. She was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was Miss USA 1997 and Miss Teen USA 1989 and was a frequent rotating Barker's Beauty model on the US daytime television game show The Price Is Right from 2002-2009.-Pageant history:In 1997, she won...
inherited the Miss USA 1997Miss USA 1997Miss USA 1997, the forty-sixth Miss USA pageant, was held at Shreveport, Louisiana in January and February, 1997. Delegates arrived in the city on January 19, the preliminary competition was held on February 2, 1997 and the final competition on February 5, 1997...
title after Brook Lee won Miss Universe 1997Miss Universe 1997Miss Universe 1997 pageant was held in Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida, USA, culminating in the final competition on May 16, 1997. This was the second consecutive year that the pageant had been held in the United States. Miss USA, Brook Lee of Hawaii was crowned Miss...
. - New Hampshire had its first placement since 2000, and became only the fourth placement by a New Hampshire delegate in pageant history.
- New Mexico placed for the second time since 1999.
- Texas made the first cut of delegates for the third time in a row since Kandace KruegerKandace KruegerKandace Gayle Krueger Matthews is an American television personality and former beauty queen who has held the Miss USA title. She was born and raised in Austin, Texas. She was born to Larry & Barbara Johnson Krueger...
won Miss USA 2001Miss USA 2001Miss USA 2001, the 50th edition of the Miss USA pageant was held at the Genesis Convention Center, Gary, Indiana on March 2, 2001. The event was won by Kandace Krueger of Texas, who was crowned by outgoing queen Lynnette Cole of Tennessee....
.
Contestant notes
- Kristi Lauren GlakasKristi Lauren GlakasKristi Lauren Glakas Ingram is an American beauty pageant contestant.- Personal life :She attended George Mason University and majored in 20th Century English with a Pre-Medicine Concentration. She was on George Mason University Dean's List Scholar and recipient of the Hoya Crystal Scholarship...
(Virginia) had previously held the title Miss Virginia Teen USAMiss Virginia Teen USAThe Miss Virginia Teen USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Virginia in the Miss Teen USA pageant....
1999 (semi-finalist at Miss Teen USA 1999Miss Teen USA 1999Miss Teen USA 1999, the 17th Miss Teen USA pageant, was televised live from Shreveport, Louisiana on 24 August 1999. At the conclusion of the final competition, Ashley Coleman of Delaware was crowned by outgoing queen Vanessa Minnillo of South Carolina....
) and would later become Miss VirginiaMiss VirginiaThe Miss Virginia competition is a scholarship pageant for women, with the titleholder representing Virginia in the Miss America pageant. The competition was founded in 1953 as a scholarship contest for young women, although women had represented Virginia in the Miss America pageant since the 1930s...
2005 (3rd runner-up at Miss America 2006Miss America 2006Miss America 2006, the 85th Miss America, pageant, was held on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada on January 21, 2006.The pageant was broadcast live on CMT from the Theatre for the Performing Arts at the Aladdin Resort and Casino, the first time that the pageant was held outside Atlantic City...
). She is one of six triple crown winners. - Other delegates who had previously or would later hold Miss AmericaMiss AmericaThe Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
state titles- Shandi Finnessey (Missouri) – Miss MissouriMiss MissouriThe Miss Missouri competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Missouri in the Miss America pageant.-History:From 1935 to 1970, the Miss Missouri pageant was held in a number of locations, including St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield.In 1970, the pageant was held...
2002 - Stephanie Culberson (Tennessee) – (4th runner-up), Miss TennesseeMiss TennesseeThe Miss Tennessee competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Tennessee in the Miss America pageant.-History:...
2001 (2nd runner-up) - Cari Leyva (Alaska) – Miss Alaska 2007
- Shandi Finnessey (Missouri) – Miss Missouri
- Delegates who had previously competed at Miss Teen USAMiss Teen USAMiss Teen USA is a beauty pageant run by the Miss Universe Organization for girls aged 14–19. The reigning titleholder is Danielle Doty of Texas....
were:- Danielle Demski (Arizona) – Miss Arizona Teen USAMiss Arizona Teen USAThe Miss Arizona Teen USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Arizona in the Miss Teen USA pageant.Arizona has not had a great deal of success at Miss USA, with only five teens making the cut...
1999 (finalist at Miss Teen USA 1999Miss Teen USA 1999Miss Teen USA 1999, the 17th Miss Teen USA pageant, was televised live from Shreveport, Louisiana on 24 August 1999. At the conclusion of the final competition, Ashley Coleman of Delaware was crowned by outgoing queen Vanessa Minnillo of South Carolina....
) - Tiara Dews (District of Columbia) – Miss District of Columbia Teen USAMiss District of Columbia Teen USAThe Miss District of Columbia Teen USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the District of Columbia in the Miss Teen USA pageant....
2000 (semi-finalist at Miss Teen USA 2000Miss Teen USA 2000Miss Teen USA 2000, the 18th Miss Teen USA pageant, was televised live from South Padre Island, Texas on August 26, 2000. At the conclusion of the final competition, Jillian Parry of Pennsylvania was crowned by outgoing queen Ashley Coleman of Delaware....
) - Kimberly Weible (Idaho) – Miss Idaho Teen USAMiss Idaho Teen USAThe Miss Idaho Teen USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Idaho in the Miss Teen USA pageant.Idaho has only placed twice and as such is one of the least successful states at Miss Teen USA...
1999 - Victoria Franklin (Nevada) – Miss Nevada Teen USAMiss Nevada Teen USAThe Miss Nevada Teen USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Nevada in the Miss Teen USA pageant. This pageant is directed by The Atwell Group....
1998 (second runner-up at Miss Teen USA 1998Miss Teen USA 1998Miss Teen USA 1998, the 16th Miss Teen USA pageant, was televised live from Shreveport, Louisiana on 17 August 1998. At the conclusion of the final competition, Vanessa Minnillo of South Carolina was crowned by outgoing queen Shelly Moore of Tennessee....
) - Katie Rudoff (Wyoming) – Miss Wyoming Teen USAMiss Wyoming Teen USAThe Miss Wyoming Teen USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Wyoming in the Miss Teen USA pageant.Wyoming is one of the least successful states at Miss Teen USA, having only placed on four occasions...
1999
- Danielle Demski (Arizona) – Miss Arizona Teen USA
- Jennifer MurphyJennifer MurphyJennifer Murphy is an actress,beauty queen, reality television contestant and business woman.Murphy grew up in Medford, southern Oregon, with her eleven siblings...
(Oregon) later appeared on Donald Trump's reality televisionReality televisionReality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
show The Apprentice 4 - Jaclyn NesheiwatJaclyn NesheiwatJaclyn Nesheiwat Stapp is an actress, beauty queen, philanthropist, fashion model, and children’s book author with pageant roots in Florida and New York. She is one of five children raised in Umatilla, Florida...
(New York) later married CreedCreed (band)Creed is an American rock band formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida. Becoming popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band has released three consecutive multi-platinum albums, one of which has been certified diamond, and has sold over 28 million records in the United States, with an...
drummer Scott StappScott StappScott Alan Stapp is an American musician and singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Creed, of which he is a founding member. His debut solo album, The Great Divide, was released in 2005. A second album, Between Lust and Love, is currently in production... - Mackenzie Davis (Maine) became director of the Miss Maine USA and Miss Maine Teen USAMiss Maine Teen USAThe Miss Maine Teen USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Maine in the Miss Teen USA pageant. From 2007 the pageant will be directed by Mackenzie Davis, Miss Maine USA 2004....
pageants in 2006. - It was the first time since 1984 where two of the top 5 finalists were former Miss America state titleholders. In 1984, the top 3 were all former Miss America state titleholders.
- Later on two delegates went on to win the Miss Earth USA title. The first was Amanda Pennekamp, Miss South Carolina USAMiss South Carolina USAThe Miss South Carolina USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state South Carolina in the Miss USA pageant. The pageant has been produced by RPM Productions since 1980....
who won the Miss Earth USA 2006 title and was a top 16 semifinalist at Miss Earth 2006Miss Earth 2006Miss Earth 2006, the 6th edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant, took place on November 26, 2006 in the grounds of the National Museum in Manila, Philippines. The pageant was won by Hil Hernández of Chile....
. The second was Miss Kansas USAMiss Kansas USAThe Miss Kansas USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state of Kansas in the Miss USA pageant.Kansas did not place at Miss USA until 1973, the third-to-last state to make their first placement. From then, no delegate from Kansas made the cut until 1991, when Kelli...
, Lisa ForbesLisa ForbesLisa Marie Forbes is a beauty queen from Overland Park, Kansas who competed in the Miss USA pageant and went on to compete at Miss Earth 2007.-Pageants:...
who won the 2007 title and competed at Miss Earth 2007Miss Earth 2007Miss Earth 2007, the seventh Miss Earth beauty pageant, was held on November 11, 2007 at the UP Theater in Quezon City, Philippines. The delegates also visited Nha Trang, Vietnam. 88 delegates competed for the title, making 2007 the largest edition of delegates for Miss Earth. The pageant was...
.
Related competitions
For the second year there was a Miss USA Fear FactorFear Factor
Fear Factor is an American stunt/dare reality game show. The original Dutch version was called Now or Neverland. When Endemol USA and NBC adapted it to the American market in 2001, they changed the name to Fear Factor. The show pits contestants against each other in a variety of stunts for a...
special, in which Tara Darby of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
won the $50,000 prize (half of which to be donated to the charity of her choice).