Miss USA’s New CEO Confirms Major Overhaul for 2025 Pageant
UPDATE: Miss USA’s new president and CEO, Thom Brodeur, has just announced significant changes for the upcoming 2025 pageant, set to take place on October 24, 2025, in Reno, Nevada. In his first interview since taking the reins, Brodeur revealed three major reforms aimed at restoring credibility and trust to the nearly 75-year-old competition.
Brodeur’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment following a series of scandals that have plagued the Miss USA organization, including allegations of rigging and bullying that led to the resignation of former titleholders Noelia Voigt and UmaSofia Srivastava. “My team knows we have a lot of work to do,” Brodeur stated emphatically. “We have trust to rebuild, we have faith to restore, and we have healing to begin.”
One of the most impactful changes is the elimination of restrictive nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) that previously silenced contestants. Voigt and Srivastava, who left their posts in May 2024, cited these agreements as a barrier to discussing their experiences. Brodeur responded to this concern, stating, “If you have nothing to hide, then don’t. I think this organization… spent time hiding, and that only made things worse.”
Additionally, Brodeur plans to eliminate the controversial selection committees that have influenced contestant placements. This change aims to ensure that the judges’ decisions are final, giving every competitor a fair shot based solely on their performance. “The process for selecting a new Miss USA and Miss Teen USA isn’t just left up to the judges. That’s how it has historically been,” he explained. “Now, the judges pick the winner—no outside influence.”
Brodeur’s commitment to transparency is further underscored by his decision to reinstate politically charged questions in the interview rounds. Previous leadership had removed these questions, aiming to focus solely on personal attributes. Brodeur argues that addressing important issues allows the intelligence and perspectives of the contestants to shine through. “There is nothing that is being restricted or limited in that way,” he confirmed.
These changes come as the Miss USA organization seeks to move past its tumultuous recent history. The previous administration under Laylah Rose faced backlash for its handling of contestants and its controversial policies. Brodeur’s reforms are being received positively, with Voigt expressing optimism about the future: “I genuinely feel like going on my social media right now and telling every girl that has been afraid to compete in the USA system since I resigned to please go ahead and sign up now.”
As the Miss USA pageant gears up for its 2025 event, all eyes will be on Brodeur’s leadership and the impact of these transformative changes. Will they succeed in restoring the prestige and integrity of a competition that has faced significant scrutiny? Stay tuned as this story develops.
