The 73rd annual Miss USA pageant is set to take place on August 4 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where 51 contestants will compete for the coveted crown. This year's pageant comes just three months after the resignation of Miss USA Noelia Voigt, leading to Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii taking over as Miss USA.
Looking back at the history of Miss USA, we see a rich tapestry of winners dating back to the pageant's inception in 1952. From Loughery, who won after a tie-breaking vote, to Hansen, the first American to win Miss Universe, each queen has left her mark on the pageant world.
Notable winners include Wilson, the first woman of color to win Miss USA, and Gist, the first African-American woman to capture the crown. These trailblazers paved the way for future contestants like Moore, who transitioned her win into a successful acting career.
Over the years, Miss USA winners have gone on to pursue various paths, from acting to hosting TV shows. Some, like Hitchcock and Andersen, even returned to judge future pageants after their reigns.
Controversy has also touched the pageant world, as seen with Gage's revoked title due to false information and the fur coat debacle that led to Bob Barker's resignation as host.
Despite the ups and downs, Miss USA continues to be a platform for talented and ambitious women to showcase their skills and make a mark in the entertainment industry. As we eagerly await the crowning of the next Miss USA, we celebrate the legacy of past winners and the impact they have had on the pageant world.
