This was the last Miss USA show was aired on CBS. Beginning with Miss USA 2003, NBC assumed co-ownership of the pageant along with Donald Trump, and as a result began televising the pageant.
Kansas earns the 1st runner-up position for the second time. The last time it placed this was in 1996.
Indiana earns the 2nd runner-up position for the second time. The last time it placed this was in 1966. Also had its highest placement since 1981.
Minnesota earns the 3rd runner-up position for the first time and reaches its highest placement since 1995.
Connecticut earns the 4th runner-up position for the first time and reaches its highest placement since 1966.
States that placed in semifinals the previous year were District of Columbia, Rhode Island and Texas. All of them made their second consecutive placement.
Georgia breaks an ongoing streak of placements since 2000.
Tennessee breaks an ongoing streak of placements since 1999.
Michigan breaks an ongoing streak of placements since 1998.
Swimsuit controversy
Controversy erupted over the choice of swimsuits for the swimsuit final competition. Six of the 51 delegates chose an all-red one-piece, while the rest wore a two-piece option. The New York Post reported one contestant, Tarah Marie Peters of California, had points deducted by one judge because of her choice of a one-piece suit, thus eliminating her from the top five contestants. She was the only one of the top twelve who wore the one-piece option.[3]
Crossovers
Ten delegates had previously competed in either the Miss Teen USA or Miss America pageants, including the two Triple Crown winners who had competed in both. One delegate later won a Miss America state title.
Delegates who had previously held a Miss Teen USA state title were:
Kelly Lloyd (Indiana) - Miss Indiana Teen USA 1993 (1st runner-up at Miss Teen USA 1993)
