Miss USA 2025
| Miss USA 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Date | October 24, 2025 |
| Presenters | [1] |
| Venue | Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, Nevada[2] |
| Broadcaster | Queen Beauty Network[3] |
| Entrants | 51 |
| Placements | 20 |
| Winner | Audrey Eckert Nebraska |
| Congeniality | Tetra Shockley Delaware |
| Best State Costume | Shae Smith Missouri |
| Photogenic | Shelby Howell Maine |
Miss USA 2025 was the 74th edition of the Miss USA pageant, held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, on October 24, 2025. This marked the first edition under the direction of Thomas Brodeur, who acquired the franchise.[4][5]
At the conclusion of the event, Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, crowned Audrey Eckert of Nebraska as Miss USA 2025. This was Nebraska's second Miss USA title and the first since 2018. She represented the United States at Miss Universe 2025, which took place on November 21, 2025, in Thailand (November 20 in the United States), placing at the Top 30.[6] The outgoing titleholder, Alma Cooper from Michigan, did not attend the event for personal reasons, marking the first time since 1953 where the outgoing titleholder did not crown her successor.[7]
Contestants from fifty states and the District of Columbia competed in this edition. The competition was presented by Miss USA 2015, Olivia Jordan and Emmanuel Acho. For the first time since the pageant became independent from Miss Universe in 1965, the event was not televised on any major American television network. Instead, it was broadcast exclusively on the streaming provider Queen Beauty Network.[a]
Background
Location
On September 15, 2025, it was announced that the competition would be taking place at Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. This would be the fourth time that the pageant was held in Reno following Miss USA 2019, 2022 and 2023, and the third time in four years holding the pageant in the city, resumed its three-year deal had originally secured in 2022 under the ownership of then-national director and Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart.[2]
Selection of contestants
As in the previous year, women over 28 were permitted to participate in the pageant.
The selection of delegates for the state pageants began in January 2025 and concluded in September 2025. The first state pageant took place in Connecticut on January 26, 2025, while the last state pageants were held in Alabama and Louisiana. These events, initially scheduled for September 21, 2025, were moved a day earlier to avoid coinciding with the open call deadline for the eight unrepresented states.
Appointed delegates
Several states in the Miss USA 2025 competition could not hold traditional state pageants and instead appointed titleholders via an open casting call conducted by the national organization. These appointees had not won state competitions but were selected to ensure full national representation following leadership and licensing changes within the Miss USA Organization.[8][9][10]
Results
Placements
| Placement | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss USA 2025 | |
| 1st Runner-Up |
|
| 2nd Runner-Up |
|
| 3rd Runner-Up |
|
| 4th Runner-Up |
|
| Top 10 | |
| Top 20 |
|
§ – Voted into the Top 20 by viewers.
Special Awards
| Award | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss Photogenic |
|
| Chelsi Smith Congeniality Award |
|
| Best in State Costume |
|
| Preliminary Best in Swimsuit |
Pageant
Format
The process for determining the semi-finalists in this edition was similar to the previous one. The preliminary competition consisted of three segments: the swimsuit competition, the evening gown competition, and a closed-door interview. These identified the first 16 semi-finalists who advanced after the initial cut.
For the first time, internet voting also played a role, allowing fans to vote for their favorite contestants. The four delegates with the most votes automatically advanced to the semifinals.
Next, the remaining 20 semi-finalists participated in the swimsuit competition, from which 10 were selected to move forward. These 10 then competed in the evening gown competition, narrowing it down to five finalists. Finally, the five finalists faced the final question round, after which the winner of Miss USA 2025 and her runners-up were announced.
Judges
- Nia Sanchez — Miss USA 2014 from Nevada, 1st Runner-Up Miss Universe 2014, pageant coach, self-defense instructor, and The Valley cast member[1]
- Sasha Farber — Professional dancer and four-time finalist on Dancing with the Stars[1]
- Jade Roper Tolbert — TV personality from The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise, content creator, and lifestyle entrepreneur[1]
- Hannah Edwards — Model scout for top agencies including Elite, Next, and Wilhelmina[1]
- Kenneth Barlis — Fashion designer and founder of the luxury brand Kenneth Barlis[1]
Contestants
Fifty-one contestants competed for the title.
| State/District | Contestant | Age[b] | Hometown | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Kennedy Whisenant[11] | 24 | Birmingham | |
| Alaska | Kelsey Craft | 34 | Anchorage | Previously Miss International U.S. 2017[12] |
| Arizona | Elexes Richardson | 30 | Scottsdale | |
| Arkansas | Olivia Halsey[13] | 25 | Jonesboro | |
| California | Kylie Chang | 21 | Cupertino | |
| Colorado | Sydney Hella[14] | 26 | Denver | Previously Miss Earth USA Air 2024 Crowned Miss Earth USA Air 2025 3rd runner-up at Miss Minnesota USA 2025 |
| Connecticut | Jenna Hofmann[15] | 24 | Fairfield | |
| Delaware | Tetra Shockley[16] | 44 | Camden | The oldest person to compete at Miss USA |
| District of Columbia | Allison LaForce | 26 | Washington, D.C. | Previously Miss Maryland’s Outstanding Teen 2016 |
| Florida | Lou Schieffelin[17] | 25 | Winter Park | Previously Miss Florida Teen USA 2018 Top 10 at Miss Teen USA 2018[18] |
| Georgia | Savannah Miles[19] | 24 | Atlanta | Previously Miss Georgia Teen USA 2018 Top 10 at Miss Teen USA 2018 |
| Hawaii | Issha Rose Mata[20] | 30 | Hilo | |
| Idaho | Jenny Ting Crawford | 37 | Huntington Beach, CA | 1st runner-up at Miss California USA 2025 Default appointee (Non-Idaho resident) |
| Illinois | Nikolina Vujcic | 23 | Des Plaines | |
| Indiana | Sydney Shrewsbury | 24 | Indianapolis | |
| Iowa | Hayley Buettell | 27 | Mediapolis | |
| Kansas | Asia Cymone Smith[21] | 26 | Wichita | |
| Kentucky | Mattie Barker[22] | 22 | Bowling Green | Previously Miss Kentucky Teen USA 2020 |
| Louisiana | Francie Millan | 23 | New Orleans | |
| Maine | Shelby Howell[23] | 25 | Bangor | |
| Maryland | Lexia Gillette | 29 | Chevy Chase | Miss Earth Massachusetts USA 2021 |
| Massachusetts | Perianne Caron[24] | 26 | Boston | |
| Michigan | Michele Lewandoski[25] | 23 | Norton Shores | |
| Minnesota | Megan Rivera | 25 | Prior Lake | |
| Mississippi | McKenzie Cole[26] | 19 | Vicksburg | Previously Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2022 |
| Missouri | Shae Smith[27] | 22 | Bolivar | Previously Miss Missouri's Outstanding Teen 2019 4th runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2020 Previously Miss Missouri Teen USA 2022 |
| Montana | Juliana Wilson | 36 | Nashville, TN | 1st runner-up at Miss Montana USA 2024 Default appointee (Non-Montana resident) |
| Nebraska | Audrey Eckert | 23 | Lincoln | Previously Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2020 3rd runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2020 |
| Nevada | Mary Sickler[28] | 23 | Las Vegas | First woman to compete in Miss USA with alopecia |
| New Hampshire | Mona Lesa Brackett | 36 | New York City, NY | First woman to compete at Miss USA to wear a hijab 2nd runner-up at Miss New York USA 2025 Default appointee (Non-New Hampshire resident) |
| New Jersey | Ivy Harrington[29] | 30 | Neptune | |
| New Mexico | Dominique Ehrl Lugo[c] | 31 | Santa Fe | |
| New York | Christiana DiNardo | 27 | Rochester | |
| North Carolina | Lourdes Madera[30][d] | 39 | Raleigh[e] | |
| North Dakota | Olivia Redding | 21 | Burlington | Youngest sister of Miss North Dakota USA 2019 Samantha Redding |
| Ohio | Hannah Klein | 33 | Cincinnati | |
| Oklahoma | Zoe Ferraro[31] | 25 | Bixby | Previously Miss Oklahoma Teen USA 2018 |
| Oregon | Chantéa McIntyre | 43 | San Joaquin, CA | Top 16 semifinalist at Miss California USA 2025 Default appointee (Non-Oregon resident) |
| Pennsylvania | Rica Clements | 29 | York | |
| Rhode Island | Brianna Vega[32] | 29 | Providence | |
| South Carolina | Gallienne Nabila | 28 | Greer[f] | |
| South Dakota | Megan Hiykel | 20 | Brookings | |
| Tennessee | Madison Kunst[19] | 27 | Nashville | |
| Texas | Taylor Lauren Davis[33] | 26 | Dallas | |
| Utah | Elle Hinojosa | 24 | Salt Lake City | |
| Vermont | Victoria Chuah[34] | 25 | Ashburn, VA | Previously Miss Virginia 2022 4th runner-up at Miss Virginia USA 2025 Semifinalist at Miss New York USA 2025 Default appointee (Non-Vermont resident) |
| Virginia | Erin Houston[35] | 27 | Tysons | |
| Washington | Carisa Erickson | 38 | Seattle | Competed at Miss Arizona USA 2025 |
| West Virginia | Erin Wellman[36] | 24 | Princeton | |
| Wisconsin | Aneisha Cox | 23 | Green Bay | |
| Wyoming | Eilish Young | 29 | Spring, TX | Top 19 at Miss Texas USA 2025 2nd runner-up at Miss West Virginia USA 2025 Default appointee (Non-Wyoming resident) |
Notes
- ^ The exceptions were 2015, which was broadcast on cable channel Reelz after NBC withdrew from the broadcast due to uncertainties over then-owner Donald Trump following his candidacy as President of the United States, and 2020 to 2022, which were broadcast on cable channel fyi.
- ^ Ages at the time of the pageant
- ^ Listed as Dominique Ehrl (under her maiden name)
- ^ Listed as Lulu Madera
- ^ Permanent residency is at Fort Lee, New Jersey and her second home in Miami, Florida
- ^ Permanent residencies are at New York, New York and Los Angeles, California
References
- ^ a b c d e f Vulpo, Mike (20 October 2025). "Meet the Hosts and Judges for Miss Teen and Miss USA 2025: Nia Sanchez, Sasha Farber and More (Exclusive)". US Weekly. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
- ^ a b Parent, Tabitha (September 16, 2025). "Miss USA 2025 Announces Pageant's Return After Leadership Shakeup". People. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Thom Brodeur [@officialthombrodeur]; (October 6, 2025). "The pageant event of the year is HERE! ✨". Retrieved October 6, 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ Konstantinides, Anneta (5 September 2025). "Longtime pageant coach says he's taking over Miss USA after CEO Laylah Rose's controversial two-year ownership". Business Insider. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ^ Lyttle, Zoey (September 16, 2025). "New Miss USA CEO Teases 2 Big Changes He Is Making to Pageant Following Years of Controversy (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Santos, Troi (2025-02-09). "Miss Universe 2025 happening in Thailand, organization announces NYC Headquarters | Troi Santos". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
- ^ Lyttle, Zoey (24 October 2025). "Current Miss USA Alma Cooper Announces She Is Skipping Pageant, Hours Before She Was Expected to Crown New Winner (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ Thom Brodeur [@officialthombrodeur]; (September 17, 2025). "Big News, Future Queens! ✨". Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ Parent, Tabitha (September 16, 2025). "Miss USA 2025 Announces Pageant's Return After Leadership Shakeup". People. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ^ Thom Brodeur [@officialthombrodeur]; (September 29, 2025). "Announcing Our 16 Titleholders! ✨". Retrieved September 30, 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ Karle, Rick (19 October 2025). "24 years ago, a single mother adopted an abandoned baby. Now look how far they've come". AL.com. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ "Miss Florida International, Kelsey Craft, Crowned Miss International 2017". PR Newswire. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ Hancock, Bobbie (May 15, 2025). "Law Graduate and Miss Arkansas USA: Olivia Halsey's Dual Triumph". University of Arkansas Little Rock. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ "Fever coach: Caitlin Clark 'like Taylor Swift 2.0'". AOL. 21 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ Diaz, Jareliz (31 January 2025). "Meet the newly crowned 2025 Miss Connecticut USA and Miss Connecticut Teen USA". WTNH8. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ^ Finney, Mike (June 30, 2025). "New Miss Delaware USA breaking barriers". Bay to Bay News. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Wagner, Pamela (June 12, 2025). "Miss Florida USA 2025 is a UF Gator; five other things to know about Palm Beach resident". Palm Beach Daily News. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Kennell, Tiana (18 May 2018). "And the 2018 Miss Teen USA is . . . Miss Teen Kansas". Shreveport Times. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Crowned in Clarksville: Miss Tennessee USA, Miss Tennessee Teen USA win top spot". The Leaf-Chronicle. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
- ^ Berger, John (2025-03-23). "Issha Rose Mata crowned Miss Hawaii USA 2025". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
- ^ "KSN's Asia Cymone Smith is the new Miss Kansas USA".
- ^ Faerber, Noah (August 1, 2025). "Miss Kentucky USA 2025 has local ties to South Central Kentucky". WNKY. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Small, Pearl (May 11, 2025). "Shelby Ann Howell of Bangor crowned Miss Maine USA". WCSH. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Rothman, Aimee (July 3, 2025). "Newly Crowned Miss Massachusetts USA, With Connection To Mashpee, Preps For Miss USA". The Cape News. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Buursma, Madalyn (August 12, 2025). "Meet the new Miss Michigan USA, a grad student from Norton Shores". WOOD-TV. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
- ^ Frazier, Terri Cowart (2025-04-06). "OUTLOOK: Vicksburg's McKenzie Cole crowned youngest Miss Mississippi USA". The Vicksburg Post. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
- ^ Gauthier, Ryan (June 20, 2025). "Miss Missouri USA Shae Smith turns personal struggles into a platform for change at Mizzou College of Health Sciences". University of Missouri. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ "Miss Nevada USA and Miss Teen Nevada USA crowned tonight". KTVN. 27 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "Meet Miss New Jersey USA 2025: How pageants became her light in the darkness". NJ.com. April 10, 2025. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Boschult, Christian (September 10, 2025). "Pageant drama over winner inches toward legal battle in Miss USA qualifier hosted in Spartanburg". The Post and Courier. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
- ^ Ryan, Jordan (April 13, 2025). "The new Miss Oklahoma USA shares how she is using pageantry to inspire". KOCO-TV. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ McClelland, Audrey (July 7, 2025). "Introducing the NEW Miss Rhode Island USA and Miss Rhode Island Teen USA". WPRI-TV. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Melton, Sharon (May 5, 2025). "FIRST ON CW39: Meet Miss Texas USA 2025 Taylor Davis and Miss Texas Teen USA 2025 Laika Patel". KIAH. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Leayman, Emily (October 8, 2025). "Ashburn Native Wins Miss Vermont USA, Advances To National Competition". Ashburn Patch. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
- ^ Kettner, Michele (May 21, 2015). "Get to Know Erin Houston, Miss Virginia USA 2025". Northern Virginia Magazine. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
- ^ Pan, Jefferson (July 27, 2025). "Miss West Virginia USA and Miss West Virginia Teen USA crowned". WBOY-TV. Retrieved July 28, 2025.