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- These states have produced the most Miss USA winners (businessinsider.com)
As the 75th Miss USA pageant approaches on August 27 in Miami, it’s a good moment to look back at which states have historically dominated this prestigious competition over its 74-year history.
Texas leads the pack with a remarkable 10 Miss USA titles, including a legendary five-year winning streak from 1985 to 1989 known as the “Texas Aces.” Notably, two Miss Texas winners-Chelsi Smith and R’Bonney Gabriel-went on to claim the Miss Universe crown. Texas also boasts former Miss USA Crystle Stewart, who served as CEO and president of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA organizations from 2020 to 2023.
California is a close contender with six crowns, having secured at least one Miss USA title in every decade except the 2000s. Their most recent winner was Alyssa Campanella in 2011.
Hawaii has made its mark with five Miss USA titles. The state’s trailblazer was Macel Wilson in 1962, the first Asian American and woman of color to win. In a unique turn of events, Hawaii gained its fifth title in 2023 when Savannah Gankiewicz assumed the crown after the reigning Miss USA Noelia Voigt resigned-marking a first in pageant history.
Michigan joins the ranks with four Miss USA winners, including groundbreaking titleholders like Carole Gist, the first African American Miss USA, and Rima Fakih, the first Arab American winner. Alma Cooper, a U.S. Army officer, most recently took the crown in 2024.
The District of Columbia, despite lacking Senate representation, has seen four Miss USA wins, including back-to-back victories in 2016 and 2017 by Deshauna Barber and Kára McCullough-a feat not accomplished since Texas’ dominance in the 1980s.
Illinois also holds four titles, though all were won prior to 1975, including back-to-back wins in 1973 and 1974.
New York proudly claims the first-ever Miss USA crown from 1952, with Jackie Loughery taking the inaugural title. The state has won four times overall, with Shanna Moakler notably inheriting the crown in 1995 after the reigning Miss USA became Miss Universe.
North Carolina has emerged as a strong contender in recent years, capturing all four of its titles in the 2000s. Morgan Romano’s 2022 win came after R’Bonney Gabriel’s Miss Universe victory.
While 18 states have yet to claim a Miss USA crown, the upcoming pageant offers another opportunity for fresh faces to rise. As the competition unfolds in Miami, all eyes will be on which state will add its name to this distinguished list of winners.
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- These states have produced the most Miss USA winners (businessinsider.com)