Miss USA 1998

Miss USA 1998
DateMarch 10, 1998
Presenters
VenueShreveport, Louisiana
BroadcasterCBS, KSLA
WinnerShawnae Jebbia
Massachusetts
CongenialityVera Morris (North Carolina)
PhotogenicSonja Glenn (South Carolina)
← 1997
1999 →

Miss USA 1998 was the 47th Miss USA pageant, held in Shreveport, Louisiana in March, 1998. The preliminary competition was held on March 6, 1998, and the final competition on March 10, 1998.[1] The event was won by Shawnae Jebbia of Massachusetts, who was crowned by outgoing titleholder Brandi Sherwood of Idaho.[2]

The pageant was held in Shreveport, Louisiana for the second consecutive year; unusually Shreveport would also host the Miss Teen USA pageant later the same year. Owner Donald Trump had initially suggested that the event would be moved to New York City, however an agreement was reached in November 1997 for the pageant to stay in Louisiana.[3] During the two weeks that the delegates were in Shreveport the city and local companies benefitted from the extra business generated by the pageant and by the publicity offered by three minutes of promotion during the live broadcast.[4][5] The expected worldwide audience for the pageant was 300 million people.[6]

The pageant was hosted by The Young and the Restless star J. Eddie Peck for the only time, and Ali Landry, Miss USA 1996 and Julie Moran, co-host of Entertainment Tonight, offered colour commentary.[7] She Moves provided entertainment during the competition. Executive producers Susan Winston and Dan Funk were chosen to produce the live telecast, broadcast on CBS.[8]

During the competition, in a pre-taped segment, Halle Berry, Miss Ohio USA 1986 and first runner-up to Christy Fichtner at Miss USA 1986, was awarded a Distinguished Achievement Award for her achievements in acting.

Results

Placements

Map showing placements by state
Final Results Contestant
Miss USA 1998
1st Runner-Up
2nd Runner-Up
Top 5
  • Utah Utah – Melissa Leigh Anderson
  • Texas Texas – Holly Mills
Top 10

Special awards

See also

References

  1. ^ "Swimsuit and evening gown judging narrows field to 10 for Miss USA". Associated Press. 1998-03-07.
  2. ^ Foster, Mary (1998-03-11). "Miss Massachusetts wins Miss USA crown". Lundington Daily News. Associated Press.
  3. ^ Associated Press (1997-11-28). "Pageant to Stay in Shreveport". The New Orleans Times-Picayune. p. A3.
  4. ^ "Miss USA delegates arrive by runway and highway". Associated Press. 1998-02-22.
  5. ^ Foster, Mary (1998-03-10). "Miss USA brings glamour, tourists to La". The Baton Rouge Advocate.
  6. ^ "Miss USA delegates began pageant preparations". Associated Press. 1998-02-23.
  7. ^ Langley, Greg (1998-03-06). "Miss USA Pageant returns to Shreveport". The Baton Rouge Advocate.
  8. ^ "Miss Universe Pageants Crown Blanki & Bodi as Executive Producers". Business Wire. 1998-03-02.