Texas Leads the Way: Most Miss USA Wins Ahead of Pageant

UPDATE: The 74th annual Miss USA pageant is set to take place in Reno, Nevada, on October 24, 2023. As excitement builds, new statistics reveal which states have historically dominated the competition, with Texas leading as the most successful state in Miss USA history.

Texas has claimed the Miss USA crown a remarkable 10 times, establishing a legacy that includes two Miss Universe winners. During a five-year winning streak from 1985 to 1989, known as the “Texas Aces,” the Lone Star State showcased its unmatched talent.

Notable winners from Texas include:
– 1977: Kimberly Tomes
– 1985: Laura Martinez Herring
– 1986: Christy Fichtner
– 1987: Michelle Royer
– 1988: Courtney Gibbs
– 1989: Gretchen Polhemus
– 1995: Chelsi Smith
– 2001: Kandace Krueger
– 2008: Crystle Stewart
– 2022: R’Bonney Gabriel

Closely following Texas is California, which has secured the Miss USA title 6 times. California’s wins span multiple decades, with their most recent victory in 2011 when Alyssa Campanella took the crown.

California titleholders include:
– 1959: Terry Huntingdon
– 1966: Maria Remenyi
– 1975: Summer Bartholomew
– 1983: Julie Hayek
– 1992: Shannon Marketic
– 2011: Alyssa Campanella

In a groundbreaking twist, Hawaii recently assumed its fifth Miss USA title after Noelia Voigt resigned just three months into her reign. This historic move underscores the evolving dynamics of the pageant, as Savannah Gankiewicz, first runner-up, now represents the state.

Hawaii’s Miss USA winners include:
– 1962: Macel Wilson
– 1972: Tanya Wilson
– 1978: Judi Andersen
– 1997: Brook Lee
– 2023: Savannah Gankiewicz

Multiple states, including Michigan, have four Miss USA wins. The most recent victory for Michigan came in 2024 when Alma Cooper, a US Army officer, was crowned. Noteworthy Michigan winners include Carole Gist, the first African American Miss USA, and Rima Fakih, the first Arab American to take the title.

Michigan titleholders are:
– 1990: Carole Gist
– 1993: Kenya Moore
– 2010: Rima Fakih
– 2024: Alma Cooper

The District of Columbia has made headlines as well, with back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017 by Deshauna Barber and Kára McCullough, a feat not seen since Texas’ dominance in the late ’80s.

District of Columbia winners include:
– 1964: Bobbi Johnson
– 2002: Shauntay Hinton
– 2016: Deshauna Barber
– 2017: Kára McCullough

As the countdown to the Miss USA pageant continues, anticipation grows for the potential shake-up of state standings and the emergence of new champions. With 18 states still vying for their first Miss USA title, the upcoming event promises to be a thrilling competition filled with talent and determination.

Be sure to catch the latest developments as the pageant approaches and witness which state will add to its legacy on October 24 in Reno.