Miss USA 2024: Miss Michigan USA wins the crown
New Miss USA Crowned Amidst Pageant Controversies
On Sunday, Alma Cooper from Michigan, a U.S. Army officer and Stanford University data science graduate, was crowned Miss USA. At 22, Cooper became the third titleholder of the year following the surprising resignation of the previous winner.
Cooper triumphed over 50 contestants in a pageant that featured swimwear and evening gown segments. Kentucky's Connor Perry and Oklahoma's Danika Christopherson secured the positions of first and second runners-up, respectively.
During the Q&A portion of the finale, Cooper reflected on her journey, stating, “As the daughter of a migrant worker, a proud Afro-Latina woman, and a U.S. Army officer, I am living the American dream. My life and my mother have taught me that your circumstances do not define your destiny: you can achieve success through excellence.”
Cooper was crowned by Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii, the former Miss USA who had inherited the title in May after Utah’s Noelia Voigt resigned under contentious circumstances.
“She is passionate about addressing food insecurity in our country, and globally,” Cooper’s Miss USA bio says. “Her ultimate goal is to make healthy foods available to all people. Alma’s life motto is ‘Demand Excellence,’ which she inherited from her parents who forged a path toward their American dream.”
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The pageant marked the end of a turbulent three-month period for the Miss USA organization, triggered by Voigt’s unexpected departure and the resignation of Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava of New Jersey, shortly thereafter. The show made no direct mention of the controversies, though Gankiewicz described her brief reign as “the most unique in history.”
Cooper bested 50 other contestants for the Miss USA title, including Miss Alabama USA 2024, Diane Westhoven. Westhoven won the state title in June, competing as Miss Southern Plains. Westhoven, from Vestavia Hills, attends Auburn University and is studying to become a physician assistant. All contestants for Miss USA are the winners of pageants held earlier this year.
Voigt, who cited mental health concerns in her resignation announcement via Instagram, sparked speculation when the first letters of her resignation post spelled out “I am silenced,” leading to rumors of a non-disclosure agreement. Her resignation letter, obtained by CNN, alleged delays in receiving prizes and described a “toxic work environment” marked by bullying and harassment, including claims of sexual harassment due to inadequate support.
Srivastava resigned citing a clash of “personal values” with the Miss USA organization. Both women’s mothers later appeared on Good Morning America, accusing the organization of mistreatment and turning their dream jobs into nightmares.
The Miss Universe Organization, which owns both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, did not comment on the resignations at the time. Miss USA president Laylah Rose later refuted Voigt’s claims in a statement.
The pageant featured several notable changes this year. The competition began with an elimination round, narrowing 51 contestants to a top 20 based on preliminary scores. The field was further reduced to 10 after the swimwear competition, before the final five answered the question: “How can we bridge the gap between different cultures and foster understanding and respect?”
Hosted by Garcelle Beauvais and Keltie Knight, the event returned to California for the first time since 2007. The judging panel included shoe designer Jojo Bragais and former Miss USA titleholders Carole Gist and Lu Parker.
In a landmark move, the Miss Universe Organization lifted the age restriction of 28 for contestants, allowing finalists like 41-year-old Kristina Johnson of Arizona and others in their 30s to participate. Maryland’s Bailey Anne Kennedy became the first transgender contestant from her state to reach the finals, while Shavana Clarke of Connecticut was the “first openly lesbian Miss USA state titleholder.”
The finale followed the appointment of Addie Carver of Mississippi as Miss Teen USA, a title that had been vacant since Srivastava’s resignation. Seventeen-year-old Carver, a dance teacher and cheerleader, has used her platform to advocate for mental health, sharing her own experiences following her father’s death.
Cooper will represent the United States in the Miss Universe 2024 contest, scheduled to be held in Mexico later this year.
The Miss USA TOP 20✨
Massachusetts, Virginia, Ohio, District of Columbia, Michigan, Kentucky, Hawaii, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Kansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, New York, Nevada, Mississippi, Texas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa
The number of finalists was trimmed to a top 10, then to a top five before the winner was announced.
Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Ohio
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- Alma Cooper, Miss Michigan USA (winner).
- Connor Perry, Miss Kentucky USA (first runner-up).
- Danika Christopherson, Miss Oklahoma USA (second runner-up).
- Christell Foote, Miss Tennessee USA (third runner-up).
- Macy Hudson, Miss Ohio USA (fourth runner-up).
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