Miss USA 2021
70th Miss USA pageant
Miss USA 2021 Date November 29, 2021 Presenters Entertainment Ja Rule Venue Paradise Cove Theater, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa , Oklahoma Broadcaster Entrants 51 Placements 16 Winner Elle Smith KentuckyCongeniality Taylor Hale , MichiganBest State CostumeElizabeth Pistole, Tennessee Photogenic Sydney Robertson, Pennsylvania
Miss USA 2021 was the 70th Miss USA pageant, held at the Paradise Cove Theater of River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa , Oklahoma on November 29, 2021. The edition marked the first year of the competition under Crystle Stewart 's directorship.[ 1]
At the end of the event, Asya Branch of Mississippi crowned Elle Smith of Kentucky as Miss USA 2021.[ 2] This was Kentucky's first title in fifteen years. Smith is also the third consecutive African-American to win the title, and the fifth one in six years.[ 3] Smith went on to represent the United States at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant, placing in the top ten. The scheduling for the succeeding year's pageant that Smith would serve the pageant for ten months and four days as one of the shortest reigning titleholders in the pageant.[ 4]
The competition was hosted by Zuri Hall and Patrick Ta, while Nicole Adamo served as a lounge host.[ 5] American rapper Ja Rule performed in this edition. This was the second consecutive year that the pageant was broadcast on FYI , and the first to be streamed live on Hulu .
Background
On December 31, 2020, it was announced on Good Morning America that Miss USA and Miss Teen USA would be split from the Miss Universe Organization into a new organization under the helm of Crystle Stewart . Stewart had previously been crowned Miss USA 2008 .[ 1]
Location
Tulsa, Oklahoma , the host city of Miss USA 2021.
On April 20, 2021, it was confirmed by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation that the 2021 edition of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA would be held at the Paradise Cove Theater of River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma . The competition spanned four days, beginning on November 26 and concluding on November 29, 2021. The event reverted to its full spectator capacity after the previous event was downsized to 300 spectators as a precaution to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the United States .[ 6] [ 7]
Impact of the COVID-19 on state pageants
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the schedule of Miss USA 2020, postponing it from spring 2020 to November 2020. Each state organization had initially planned to schedule their 2021 pageants for the fall 2020 and winter 2020–21, the typical timeframe for state pageants dating back to the 1970s. However, most state pageants were later rescheduled to spring and summer 2021 to avoid scheduling conflicts with Miss America 2022 state pageants typically took place in most of June 2021, and were further extended to late summer and early fall due to the concerns over the possibility onto the threats of COVID-19 resurgence.[ 8]
2021 state pageants altered due to COVID-19
State
Original date
New date taken
Texas Texas
September 6, 2020
September 4, 2021
Wisconsin Wisconsin
September 13, 2020
May 23, 2021
Wyoming Wyoming
September 19, 2020
June 19, 2021
Michigan Michigan
September 26, 2020
August 7, 2021
North Dakota North Dakota
September 26, 2020
April 25, 2021
South Dakota South Dakota
September 27, 2020
April 25, 2021
Alabama Alabama
October 10, 2020
January 10, 2021
Tennessee Tennessee
October 10, 2020
March 13, 2021
Iowa Iowa
October 11, 2020
May 8, 2021
Rhode Island Rhode Island
October 11, 2020
August 8, 2021
Louisiana Louisiana
October 17, 2020
January 16, 2021
West Virginia West Virginia
October 18, 2020
July 11, 2021
Mississippi Mississippi
October 24, 2020
March 13, 2021
Arkansas Arkansas
October 25, 2020
May 23, 2021
Colorado Colorado
October 25, 2020
August 15, 2021
Vermont Vermont
November 1, 2020
June 6, 2021
North Carolina North Carolina
November 7, 2020
March 6, 2021
Hawaii Hawaii
November 8, 2020
December 10, 2020
Maine Maine
November 8, 2020
June 20, 2021
Maryland Maryland
November 8, 2020
July 25, 2021
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania
November 8, 2020
July 31, 2021[ a]
Ohio Ohio
November 14, 2020
July 10, 2021
Georgia Georgia
November 21, 2020
February 20, 2021
Oregon Oregon
November 21, 2020
March 20, 2021
South Carolina South Carolina
November 21, 2020
March 6, 2021
Connecticut Connecticut
November 22, 2020
June 6, 2021
Illinois Illinois
November 22, 2020
June 27, 2021
Indiana Indiana
November 22, 2020
July 26, 2021[ a]
Massachusetts Massachusetts
November 22, 2020
June 13, 2021
New Jersey New Jersey
November 22, 2020
August 1, 2021
Washington (state) Washington
November 22, 2020
March 21, 2021
Minnesota Minnesota
November 29, 2020
August 1, 2021
New Hampshire New Hampshire
November 29, 2020
June 13, 2021
Missouri Missouri
December 6, 2020
May 1, 2021
Oklahoma Oklahoma
December 20, 2020
June 5, 2021
Arizona Arizona
January 3, 2021
July 11, 2021
Washington, D.C. District of Columbia
January 9, 2021
July 17, 2021
Virginia Virginia
January 9, 2021
July 17, 2021
Nebraska Nebraska
January 10, 2021
May 16, 2021
Nevada Nevada
January 10, 2021
June 27, 2021
Kansas Kansas
January 17, 2021
April 11, 2021
New York New York
January 17, 2021
August 20, 2021
New Mexico New Mexico
January 24, 2021
August 15, 2021
Kentucky Kentucky
January 30, 2021
May 22, 2021
^ a b State pageant had passed to the new pageant director
Due to restrictions implemented in all 50 states and the District of Columbia , numerous health and safety guidelines have been implemented for contestants, production members, and audiences at state pageants, such as taking a negative COVID-19 test and following social distancing . Additionally, a number of state pageants have had to alter their initial venue choices due to shut-downs implemented by their governor ; either held behind closed doors such as Alaska and Hawaii, with only the contestants and staff were present; most state pageants had limited audition capacity with applying social distancing measures, or some with full capacity.[ 9] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
Selection of contestants
Delegates from the fifty states and District of Columbia were selected in state pageants which began in September 2020. The first state pageants were Idaho and Montana , held together on their original dates of September 27, 2020, and the last state pageant was California , held on September 12, 2021, 350 days after the start of the 2021 pageant season, became the longest in the Miss USA history.
Eleven delegates previously competed in Miss Teen USA and Miss America , in which eight delegates are former Miss Teen USA state winners and three are former Miss America state winners. Kataluna Enriquez , Miss Nevada USA 2021 , became the first openly transgender woman to compete in Miss USA.[ 14]
Results
Miss USA 2021 results map, colors shaded in each state
Placements
Placement
Contestant
Miss USA 2021
1st Runner-Up
North Dakota – Caitlyn Vogel
2nd Runner-Up
3rd Runner-Up
Illinois – Sydni Bennett
Top 8
Maryland – Layilah Nasser[ 15]
North Carolina – Madison Bryant[ 15]
South Carolina – Marley Stokes[ 15]
Texas – Victoria Hinojosa[ 15]
Top 16
Kansas – Gracie Hunt[ 15]
Louisiana – Tanya Crowe[ 15]
Mississippi – Bailey Anderson[ 15]
Nebraska – Erika Etzelmiller[ 15]
South Dakota – Caroline Pettey[ 15]
Tennessee – Elizabeth Pistole[ 15]
Utah – JessiKate Riley[ 15]
Virginia – Christina Thompson[ 15]
§ – Voted into top 16 through the online vote
Special awards
Award
Contestant
Best State Costume
Winner
Second Place
Third Place
Miss Congeniality
Miss Photogenic
Pageant
After the last year's event was impacted by the still-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, events such as pre-pageant activities and press briefings from pageant commentators were returned across Tulsa .[ 18]
Preliminary competition
Prior to the final competition, the delegates competed the preliminary competition, where they competed in swim wear and evening gown. It was held on November 26 at River Spirit Casino Resort hosted by Nicole Adamo and Asya Branch .[ 19]
Finals
As was the case the prior edition, 16 contestants were chosen to advance to the semifinals; 15 of the semifinalists were chosen by the preliminary judges, while one was chosen through the online fan vote. The Top 16 then competed in both swimsuit and evening gown, before eight were chosen to advance. The Top 8 participated in a group discussion round conducted in two groups of four, and afterwards answered their final questions from the judges. The winner and her runners-up were announced afterwards.[ 20]
Judges
Preliminary
Paul Anthony – American hairstylist
Elan Biongiorno – American celebrity make-up artist
LeeAnne Locken – American reality television personality and Miss Arizona USA 1989
Pamela Price – American marathon runner
Chuck Steelman – American fashion analyst and expert
Finals
Contestants
Fifty-one contestants competed for the title.[ 29] [ 30]
Notes
^ Ages at the time of the pageant
References
^ a b Brantley-Jones, Kiara (December 30, 2020). "Exclusive: Crystle Stewart takes on new leadership role for Miss USA, Miss Teen USA" . Good Morning America .
^ Dupre, Elyse (November 30, 2021). "Miss Kentucky Elle Smith Crowned Miss USA 2021" . E! Online . Retrieved July 24, 2023 .
^ Johnson, Krista; Adams, Kirby (November 30, 2021). "Miss Kentucky Elle Smith, a Louisville TV reporter, crowned 2021 Miss USA. What to know" . The Courier-Journal . Retrieved December 13, 2021 .
^ Halperin, Shirley (October 27, 2021). "Miss Universe Competition Heads to Israel for 70th Anniversary Edition; Pop Star Noa Kirel to Perform" . Variety . Retrieved October 27, 2021 .
^ Fernandez, Celia (November 26, 2021). "How you can watch the 2021 Miss USA pageant from home" . Insider . Retrieved July 24, 2023 – via Yahoo! News .
^ "Miss USA, Miss Teen USA coming to Tulsa this fall" . KTUL. April 20, 2021.
^ "Tulsa's River Spirit will host Miss USA, Miss Teen USA pageants" . Fox 23. April 20, 2021.
^ Beifuss, John (November 6, 2020). "Miss USA preliminary competition: Swimsuits, evening gowns, mini-bios and more" . Memphis Commercial Appeal .
^ "For the health and safety of our contestants..." Instagram . RPM Productions. July 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021 .
^ "Thinking of the health and well-being of our contestants..." Instagram . Greenwood Productions. July 17, 2020. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021 .
^ "We are thrilled to announce..." Instagram . Future Productions. January 12, 2021. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021 .
^ "NEW PAGEANT DATE! We've moved the event..." Instagram . Nice and Wonderful Productions. January 21, 2021. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021 .
^ "As we monitor the current situation with COVID-19..." Instagram . The Crystal Group. January 21, 2021. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021 .
^ a b c Karel, Janna (June 28, 2021). "Transgender woman captures Miss Nevada USA pageant" . Las Vegas Review-Journal . Retrieved June 29, 2021 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Results" . Miss USA . Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022 .
^ "Our Miss Congeniality 2021 is @MissMiUSA, Taylor Hale! Congratulations @thetaylormack!! ✨💕" . Miss USA. December 3, 2021. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021.
^ "Congratulations to the gorgeous @misspausa, Sydney Robertson, our Miss Photogenic 2021" . Miss USA. December 6, 2021. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021.
^ "FULL Schedule of Events The 70th Miss USA 2021 Pageant Fri, Nov 26 to Mon, Nov 29, 2021" . Miss News . November 14, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2022 .
^ "Miss USA Preliminary Competition Is Underway At The River Spirit Casino Resort" . News 9 . November 26, 2021.
^ "Miss USA 2021". Miss USA . November 29, 2021. FYI .
^ @MissUSA (November 3, 2021). "We are thrilled to announce that Natalia Barulich will be one of our judges for the Miss USA competition on November 29th!" – via Instagram .
^ @MissUSA (November 4, 2021). "We are so excited to announce that Sophie Elgort will be one of our judges for the Miss USA competition this year!" – via Instagram .
^ @MissUSA (November 1, 2021). "We are thrilled to have Chloe Flower joining us for the Miss USA competition this year!" – via Instagram .
^ @MissUSA (November 4, 2021). "We are so excited to have Ty Hunter joining our judges panel for this year's Miss USA competition!" – via Instagram .
^ @MissUSA (November 3, 2021). "We are so excited to have Haley Kalil join our judges' panel for the Miss USA competition this year!" – via Instagram .
^ @MissUSA (November 1, 2021). "We are so excited to announce our first judge for the Miss USA competition this year, Alton Mason!" – via Instagram .
^ @MissUSA (November 3, 2021). "We are so excited to announce that Pascal Mouawad will be joining us as a judge for this year's Miss USA Competition!" – via Instagram .
^ @MissUSA (November 3, 2021). "We are thrilled to have actor, host, and philanthropist, Oliver Trevena join our judges' panel for this year's Miss USA competition!" – via Instagram .
^ Contreras, Cydney (November 9, 2021). "Get a First Look at All the Miss USA Contestants in Their Swimsuit-Competition Outfits" . E! .
^ Krause, Amanda; Konstantinides, Anneta (November 27, 2021). "Meet the 51 women competing to be Miss USA 2021" . Insider . Retrieved July 24, 2023 .
^ Driggers, Abby (January 11, 2021). "Miss Cullman Alexandria Flanigan crowned Miss Alabama USA" . Opelika-Auburn News . Retrieved January 11, 2021 .
^ Aramburo, Ariane (May 10, 2021). "Miss Alaska USA and Miss Alaska Teen USA crowned over the weekend" . Alaska's News Source. Retrieved September 19, 2021 .
^ Thomas, Erica (July 12, 2021). "Springville native wins Miss Arizona USA" . The Trussville Tribune . Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ Suel, Jason (June 17, 2021). "Newly Crowned Royalty to Represent Arkansas" . KNWA-TV . Retrieved June 18, 2021 .
^ "Miss California USA is an Equestrian" . The Plaid Horse Magazine . September 21, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021 .
^ "2021 Miss Connecticut USA and Miss Connecticut Teen USA crowned over the weekend" . WTNH . June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021 .
^ "Joven boricua de Kissimmee gana la corona de Miss Florida USA" [Young Puerto Rican from Kissimmee has crowned Miss Florida USA] (in Spanish). WTMO-CD . July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021 .
^ "Miss Fajardo, Ashley Ann Cariño Barreto, se corona como Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2022" [Miss Fajardo, Ashley Ann Cariño Barreto, is crowned as Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2022]. El Nuevo Día (in Spanish). August 12, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2023 .
^ Whitaker, Teresa (February 22, 2021). "Russell County High alum wins Miss Georgia USA title" . WRB1 .
^ Dudley, Malika (December 12, 2020). "Miss Hawai'i USA 2021 is . . " . KITV4. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020 .
^ Berger, John (June 12, 2016). "Allison Chu wins Miss Hawaii 2016" . Honolulu Star-Advertiser .
^ "2021 Miss Idaho USA Crowning Moment!" . Miss Idaho USA. Retrieved November 16, 2020 .
^ Heather, Kade (June 28, 2021). "Watch now: Chicago woman crowned Miss Illinois USA 2021 at Braden Auditorium" . The Pantagraph . Bloomington, Illinois . Retrieved June 29, 2021 .
^ Johnson, Christen (October 16, 2017). "16-year-old is first African-American to win Miss Illinois Teen USA in 34-year history" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ de la Bastide, Ken (July 29, 2021). "Anderson's A'niyah Birdsong to represent state at Miss USA" . The Herald Bulletin . Retrieved July 29, 2021 .
^ James, Bob (May 10, 2021). "University of Iowa Student Named Miss Iowa USA 2021" . KHAK . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .
^ Meier, Travis (April 12, 2021). "Gracie Hunt, daughter of Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt, wins Miss Kansas USA" . WDAF-TV .
^ Eley, Jessica (April 9, 2021). "Gracie Hunt, daughter of Chiefs owner, set to compete in Miss Kansas, carve her own path" . Fox 4.
^ Daniels, CJ (May 22, 2021). "WHAS11's Elle Smith wins Miss Kentucky USA" . WHAS-TV .
^ Pellittieri, Raley (January 22, 2021). "Tangipahoa native wins state crown" . Hammond Star .
^ a b McHatten, Brittany (June 22, 2021). "Air Force veteran, mental health advocate crowned Miss Maine USA" . WABI-TV . Retrieved June 29, 2021 .
^ "Layilah Nasser Crowned Miss Maryland USA 2021" . WJZ-TV . July 26, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021 .
^ Brighton, Prudence (July 11, 2021). "Miss Massachusetts looks ahead, with her roots still in Dracut" . The Lowell Sun . Retrieved July 13, 2021 .
^ Wells, Brian (August 8, 2021). "Meet the new Miss Michigan USA and Miss Michigan Teen USA" . The Times Herald . Retrieved August 12, 2021 .
^ Powers, Sara (September 26, 2022). "Michigan native Taylor Hale makes history with her "Big Brother" season 24 win" . CBS News . Retrieved July 24, 2023 .
^ "Minnetonka native crowned Miss Minnesota USA" . KSTP-TV . August 2, 2021. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021 .
^ McGill, Brandy (March 22, 2021). "South Mississippi woman brings home Miss Mississippi USA title" . WLOX .
^ @missmousa (May 2, 2021). "Introducing the NEW Miss Missouri USA 2021 Joye Forrest" . Retrieved June 29, 2021 – via Instagram .
^ "Local wins Miss Montana Teen 2021" . Ekalaka Eagle . October 2, 2020.
^ McNiven, Jonathan (September 10, 2015). "Jami Forseth of Huntley crowned new Miss Montana Teen USA" . Yellowstone County News . Retrieved July 26, 2020 .
^ "Miss Nebraska USA" . Miss Nebraska USA. Retrieved June 6, 2021 .
^ "Briana Siaca chosen as Miss New York USA 2021 | Photogallery - ETimes" . photogallery.indiatimes.com . Retrieved October 27, 2021 .
^ "Madison Bryant" . Miss North Carolina USA. Retrieved March 25, 2021 .
^ Kraemer, Grace (April 30, 2021). "KMOT interviews Miss North Dakota USA 2021 Caitlyn Vogel" . KFYR-TV . Retrieved May 1, 2021 .
^ Fundingsland, Sarah (November 6, 2018). "Samantha Redding captures Miss North Dakota USA crown, Caitlyn Vogel Miss North Dakota Teen title" . Minot Daily News . Retrieved April 25, 2021 .
^ "Cincinnati native Nicole Wess crowned Miss Ohio USA 2021, discusses title" . WKRC-TV . July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021 .
^ "Miss Oregon USA and Miss Oregon Teen USA!" . KATU . March 21, 2021.
^ Avery-Page, Nora (July 12, 2013). "New Miss Oregon from Klamath Falls" . Herald and News . Klamath Falls, OR : Pioneer News Group . Retrieved August 14, 2015 .
^ Griffith, Randy (August 1, 2021). "Winners named in Miss Pennsylvania USA, Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA pageants in Richland" . The Tribune-Democrat .
^ Richardson, Claire (March 30, 2021). "Marley Stokes speaks with Good Morning Columbia after being crowned Miss South Carolina USA" . WOLO-TV . Retrieved April 1, 2021 .
^ "Pageant crowns new Miss South Carolina USA" . WCSC-TV . November 20, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2021 .
^ Heemstra, Jody (April 27, 2021). "Women from Rapid City, Artesian earn titles at Miss South Dakota USA and MISS SOUTH DAKOTA TEEN USA pageants" . DRG News .
^ @misstnusa (March 15, 2021). "My word for 2021 was to be intentional" . Retrieved June 29, 2021 – via Instagram .
^ Puente, Nathaniel (September 5, 2021). "McAllen native wins Miss Texas USA 2021 pageant" . KVEO-TV . Retrieved September 8, 2021 .
^ "BYU Senior JessiKate Riley crowned Miss Utah 2017" . KSL.com . June 18, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2021 . Riley was crowned Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen — the little sister program to the Miss America Organization — in 2014.
^ "JessiKate Riley crowned Miss Utah 2017" . KSTU . June 18, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2021 .
^ "Miss Vt. helps out at Ronald McDonald House Charities" . Sun Community News. June 15, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021 .
^ McIntosh, Brianna (July 18, 2021). "ABC13's Christina Thompson wins Miss Virginia USA" . WSET-TV . Retrieved July 18, 2021 .
^ "Asian Americans will represent WA at Miss USA, Miss Teen USA" . Northwest Asian Weekly . April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021 .
^ "Miss West Virginia USA and Miss Teen West Virginia USA crowned in Buckhannon" . WDTV . July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
^ Tornabene, Julia (May 25, 2021). "Miss Wisconsin, Miss Teen Wisconsin crowned over the weekend" . WMTV . Retrieved May 31, 2021 .
^ Roedder, Haley (June 21, 2021). "Miss Wyoming USA and Miss Wyoming Teen USA crowned in Casper" . Wyoming News Now .
^ "CASPER AND LARAMIE RESIDENTS WIN HONORS AT MISS WYOMING USA AND MISS WYOMING TEEN USA PAGEANTS" . Oil City News. September 21, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2021 .
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Miss USA .