FLASH
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Alma Cooper of Michigan, a US Army officer, was crowned Miss USA on Sunday, becoming the third person to hold the title this year following the shock resignation of the 2023 winner.
The 22-year-old, who has a master's degree in data science from Stanford University, beat 50 other contestants in a competition that included swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Kentucky's Connor Perry and Oklahoma's Danika Christopherson were named first and second, respectively.
"As the daughter of a migrant worker, a proud Afro-Latina woman and a United States Army officer, I'm living the American dream," she told the judges during a question-and-answer session at Sunday's finale. "If there's one thing my life and my mother's have taught me, it's that your circumstances never define your destiny: You can make success attainable by seeking excellence."
Cooper was crowned on stage by the previous titleholder, Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii, who inherited the crown in May after Utah's Noelia Voigt stepped down under highly controversial circumstances.
The highly televised event capped three months of turmoil for pageant organizers caused by Voigt's surprise resignation — and that of then-Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava of New Jersey, just days later. The pageant made no clear references to the controversy, although Gankievicz described her unexpected three-month stint as Miss USA as "the most unique reign in history."
Announcing her decision via Instagram in May, Voigt attributed her resignation to mental health reasons. But social media users were quick to note that the first letter of the first 11 sentences of her cryptic post read "I am silent", sparking rumors of a strict non-disclosure agreement.
Her resignation letter, later obtained by CNN, alleged delays in receiving awards and a "toxic work environment" that is "at best, poor management and, at worst, harassment." . Voigt also claimed she was sexually harassed during a Miss USA public appearance to ensure an "effective handler."
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Srivastava, who won the Miss Teen USA pageant (a companion event, under the same ownership, for contestants aged 14 to 19), meanwhile attributed her resignation to a clash in "personal values" with the Miss USA organization.
Both women's mothers then appeared on Good Morning America, with Srivastava's mother, Barbara, saying the beauty queens had been "mistreated, abused, bullied and cornered" and that "their dream job turned out to be a nightmare".
Organizers and the pageant's parent company, the Miss Universe Organization, did not respond to CNN's requests for comment at the time of the double resignation. Miss USA President Laylah Rose issued a statement in late May, reported by the Los Angeles Times, refuting Voigt's claims.
The evening's proceedings began with an elimination, as the 51 contestants were narrowed down to the top 20 based on the judges' scores from Saturday's preliminary competition. The results of a swimsuit competition saw the field whittled down to 10 before an evening wear parade.
The final five were then asked the same question: "How can we bridge the gap between different cultures and foster understanding and respect?"
Judges included shoe designer Jojo Bragais and former Miss USA titleholders Carole Gist and Lu Parker.
Sunday marked the first Miss USA pageant to take place since its owner, the Miss Universe Organization, lifted an old age restriction barring women over 28 from participating. Several finalists took advantage of the new rule, including 41-year-old Kristina Johnson of Arizona and contestants from Montana, North Dakota, Maryland and Indiana, who are all in their 30s.
In other firsts, Bailey Anne Kennedy of Maryland became the first transgender contestant from her home state to appear in the finals, and Shavana Clarke of Connecticut became "the first openly lesbian Miss USA titleholder," according to organizers.
Sunday's finale comes three days after Mississippi's Addie Carver was named Miss Teen USA, a title that had been vacant since Srivastava's resignation (last year's first runner-up, Stephanie Skinner, declined to take the title). Seventeen-year-old Carver is a dance teacher, cheerleader and choreographer who has used her platform to discuss youth mental health, telling judges about her struggles following the death of her father.
"As the next Miss Teen USA, I want to make it my mission to know that every little girl who is like me is never alone," she said on stage Thursday night.
Cooper will now go on to compete in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, which will be held in Mexico later this year.
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