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- These states have produced the most Miss USA winners, with Texas in first place (businessinsider.com)
Pageant Powerhouses: Which States Reign Supreme at Miss USA?
As the 74th annual Miss USA pageant gears up for its big night in Reno, Nevada, on October 24, we’re taking a look back at the states that have consistently shone brightest on the national stage. While 18 states are still vying for their first crown, some have built formidable legacies, producing multiple Miss USA winners and even future Miss Universe titleholders.
The United States boasts the most Miss Universe winners globally, but within its borders, which states truly dominate the Miss USA competition? Let’s dive into the history books and see who’s been bringing home the bling.
Texas: The Undisputed Queen with 10 Crowns
Texas stands head and shoulders above the rest, having claimed the Miss USA title an impressive ten times. This includes a legendary five-year winning streak from 1985 to 1989, affectionately dubbed the “Texas Aces.”
Two Miss Texas winners, Chelsi Smith and R’Bonney Gabriel, went on to achieve even greater glory by winning Miss Universe. Furthermore, Miss Texas 2008, Crystle Stewart, who also won Miss USA, later served as CEO and president of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants from 2020 to 2023.
Here’s a look at the illustrious list of Miss Texas titleholders who have worn the Miss USA crown:
- 1977: Kimberly Tomes
- 1985: Laura Martinez Herring
- 1986: Christy Fichtner
- 1987: Michelle Royer
- 1988: Courtney Gibbs
- 1989: Gretchen Polhemus
- 1995: Chelsi Smith
- 2001: Kandace Krueger
- 2008: Crystle Stewart
- 2022: R’Bonney Gabriel
California: A Consistent Contender with Six Wins
Hot on Texas’s heels is California, a state that has consistently produced strong contenders, securing the Miss USA title six times. California has seen a winner in every decade except the 2000s, with its most recent victory coming in 2011 when Alyssa Campanella took the crown.
The Miss California titleholders who have become Miss USA are:
- 1959: Terry Huntingdon
- 1966: Maria Remenyi
- 1975: Summer Bartholomew
- 1983: Julie Hayek
- 1992: Shannon Marketic
- 2011: Alyssa Campanella
Hawaii: A Surprising Ascent to Five Crowns
Hawaii recently added its fifth Miss USA title under unique circumstances. Miss Hawaii 1962, Macel Wilson, made history as the first woman from Hawaii, the first Asian American, and the first woman of color to win the Miss USA crown. Another Miss Hawaii, Brook Lee (1997), achieved the rare feat of winning both Miss USA and Miss Universe.
The state’s fifth title was assumed by Miss Hawaii Savannah Gankiewicz, who was first runner-up in 2023. She stepped into the role after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt resigned three months into her reign, citing issues with the pageant’s leadership.
The full list of Miss Hawaii titleholders who were named Miss USA includes:
- 1962: Macel Wilson
- 1972: Tanya Wilson
- 1978: Judi Andersen
- 1997: Brook Lee
- 2023: Savannah Gankiewicz
A Cluster of States with Four Wins: Michigan Leads the Charge
Several states boast four Miss USA winners, with Michigan being the most recent to join this prestigious group. Carole Gist, Miss Michigan 1990, not only became the first Miss Michigan to win Miss USA but also the first African American woman to claim the title. In 2010, Rima Fakih made history as the first Arab American woman to wear the crown.
Former Miss Michigan Kenya Moore (1993) has become one of the pageant’s most recognizable figures, starring in “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” The most recent Miss Michigan to win Miss USA is Alma Cooper, a US Army officer, who took the crown in 2024.
Here are the Miss Michigan titleholders who have won Miss USA:
- 1990: Carole Gist
- 1993: Kenya Moore
- 2010: Rima Fakih
- 2024: Alma Cooper
District of Columbia: A Capital Performance
The District of Columbia may lack Senate representation, but it certainly makes a strong showing on the Miss USA stage. The District saw back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017, a feat not seen since the “Texas Aces.” Deshauna Barber won Miss USA in 2016, and the following year, she crowned Kára McCullough, who had been first runner-up in 2016, as the new Miss USA.
The full list of Miss District of Columbia titleholders who have won Miss USA is:
- 1964: Bobbi Johnson
- 2002: Shauntay Hinton
- 2016: Deshauna Barber
- 2017: Kára McCullough
Illinois: An Early Powerhouse
Illinois is another state with four Miss USA wins, all of which occurred before 1975. Notably, Illinois is one of only four states to achieve back-to-back Miss USA titles.
The full list of Miss Illinois titleholders who have won Miss USA is:
- 1953: Myrna Hansen
- 1963: Marite Ozers
- 1973: Amanda Jones
- 1974: Karen Morrison
As the countdown to the 74th annual Miss USA pageant continues, all eyes will be on Reno to see if a new state will join these illustrious ranks or if one of these pageant powerhouses will further solidify its legacy.
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- These states have produced the most Miss USA winners, with Texas in first place (businessinsider.com)