MISS USA is returning to crown a new winner at the end of a dramatic year for the pageant.
After last year’s Miss USA and Miss Teen USA winners stepped down in a shocking move, 51 new contestants are taking the stage to fight for the prestigious title — and the favorites already include a Walmart employee and the oldest state title holder of all time.
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The new Miss USA will be crowned by current title holder Savannah Gankiewicz, who took over as last year’s runner-up when Noelia Voigt resigned in May, citing mental health reasons.
After last year’s Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava also resigned days after Noelia, Mississippi’s Addie Carver won the Miss Teen USA 2024 title on Thursday.
The dramatic exits marked a first in the pageant’s history — but this year’s competition continues the series of surprises with a group of women who hold more surprises than a typical crowd of beauty queens.
At Sunday’s event in Los Angeles, the 51 contestants will go through the typical stages: swimsuit, evening gown and on-stage interview.
Ahead of the competition, take a look at the favorites in this year’s fierce competition.
‘WELCOME TO WALMART’
Madeline Bohlman, 22, entered the state costume parade before Sunday’s pageant in a blue and yellow Walmart-themed dress complete with a salute pin.
The contestant, who graduated from the University of Arkansas, is expected to take on the role of Senior Merchandise Analyst at Walmart USA following the competition.
“Hello! Welcome to Walmart,” Miss Arkansas USA wrote on Instagram with a photo of the dress.
“Arkansas is the proud home of the world’s number one retailer, where I will begin my role as Senior Merchandise Analyst.
“Our people make a difference!” she wrote.
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AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
Another prominent contestant is Miss Arizona USA – K Johnson.
At 41, K is the oldest woman to hold the state title.
The competitor is known for her athletic ability, as she has participated in triathletes and half marathons. She also enjoys skating and riding a unicycle.
K has modeled at Los Angeles and New York Fashion Weeks with top retailers, but she is more than just a pretty face as she has a degree in biology from UC San Diego.
“It doesn’t offend me to say I’m the oldest contestant,” K told the local ABC affiliate. KNXV-TV after winning the Arizona crown last month.
“I’m the oldest contestant!”
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MEET SOUL
Miss Michigan USA Alma Cooper also stands out in the competition as a second lieutenant and military intelligence officer in the United States Army.
The 22-year-old has now returned to California to earn her Masters in Data Science at Stanford University as a Knight Hennessy Scholar.
While Alma represents Michigan, the Golden State chose Miss California USA as Samantha Ramos.
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TIKTOK STAR
Samantha, 24, is the marketing director for her family’s restaurant group – but is also passionate about singing.
Miss California USA covered well-known pop songs on TikTok that generated videos with more than 10 million views, leading to her being discovered by Atlantic Records.
In 2022, Samantha represented California when she competed on NBC’s The American Song Contest – and even made it to the finals.
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MILITARY WIFE
Bailey Anne Kennedy, 32, made history by several accounts by winning Miss Maryland USA.
She became the first in the following categories: Asian American woman, Cambodian immigrant, military spouse, transgender woman and woman over 28 years of age to win the state crown.
Bailey also pursued her cheerleading career in the NFL as a rookie intern for the First Ladies of Football.
“My goal is to leave a positive impact so I can make it easier for those with similar upbringings and clear up any misconceptions about ‘stay-at-home’ military spouses, the LGBTQIA+ community, and immigrants of a certain age,” she told People.
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LOSS BREAKS THE HEART
Kaitlyn “Kit” Widmyer, 28, is preparing to fight for the crown as Miss Idaho USA.
The fashion designer is passionate about French and teaching women about investing — but she also created a foundation to remember her friends lost in the Idaho 4 murders.
In November 2022, suspect Brian Kohberger allegedly murdered students Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, and Kaylee Gonçalves.
Kit founded the Made With Kindness Foundation to honor the four lives lost by being Madison’s friend.
Before a foundation gala last month, Kit spoke with the local CBS affiliate KREM2 about the foundation’s scholarship fund that honors students.
“They’re here to spread the legacy of Madison Mogen and Kaylee Gonsalves, to raise some scholarships and really start that healing force for this community from the Idaho Four tragedy,” Kit told the outlet.
“I knew Maddie very well. She was so focused and amazing at everything she did.”
Miss USA airs Sunday at 8pm ET on The CW.
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Get to know your competitors
The Miss USA 2024 contestants are:
- Alabama-Diane Westhoven
- Alaska – Brenna Schaake
- Arizona – Kristina Johnson
- Arkansas-Madeline Bohlman
- California – Samantha Ramos
- Colorado-Jessi Kalambayi
- Connecticut-Shavan Clarke
- Delaware – Alysa Bainbridge
- District of Columbia – Kleo Torres
- Florida – Peyton Lewis
- Georgia – Emmaline Farmer
- Hawaii – Breea Yamat
- Idaho – Kaitlyn Widmyer
- Illinois-Grace Rodi
- Indiana – Stephanie Sullivan
- Iowa – McKenzie Ariana Kerry
- Kansas-Bella Whitlock
- Kentucky-Connor Perry
- Louisiana-Sydney Taylor
- Maine-Anne Baldridge
- Maryland-Baley Anne Kennedy
- Massachusetts-Melissa Sapini
- Michigan-Alma Cooper
- Minnesota-Muna Ali
- Mississippi – Kaylee Brooke McCollum
- Missouri-Ashleigh Bedwell
- Montana – Shelby Dangerfield
- Nebraska-Kamryn Buchanan
- Nevada-Najah Ali
- New Hampshire – Ariel Sullivan
- New Jersey – Jabili Kandula
- New Mexico – Mackenzie Sydow
- New York – Marizza Delgado
- North Carolina – McKenzie Hansley
- North Dakota – Codi Miller
- Ohio-Macy Hudson
- Oklahoma – Danika Christopherson
- Oregon – Shayla Montgomery
- Pennsylvania – Noni Diarra
- Rhode Island – Kaitlynne Santana
- South Carolina – Gracen Grainger
- South Dakota – Ahmitara Alwal
- Tennessee-Christell Foote
- Texas – Aarieanna Ware
- Utah – Alyssa Chandler
- Vermont – Samantha Vocatura
- Virginia – Himanvi Panidepu
- Washington – Tiffany Rea
- West Virginia – Caylie Simmons
- Wisconsin-Tori Trittin
- Wyoming-Mackenzie Rush
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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