Introduction
In a dazzling celebration of beauty, confidence, and purpose, the Miss USA 2025 pageant crowned Audrey Eckert of Nebraska as the new queen on October 24, 2025, at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. The 74th edition of the prestigious national competition was a night filled with glamour, emotion, and groundbreaking moments that marked a new chapter in the history of Miss USA.
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A New Era for Miss USA
The 2025 edition of Miss USA was particularly significant, as it marked the first year under the leadership of Thomas Brodeur, who acquired the franchise earlier in the year. His vision brought a fresh direction to the pageant, emphasizing inclusivity, modern presentation, and digital innovation.
For the first time since 1965, when Miss USA became independent from Miss Universe, the event was not aired on any major American TV network. Instead, it streamed exclusively on the Queen Beauty Network, a platform dedicated to pageant and lifestyle programming. This digital-first approach symbolized the pageant’s evolution in adapting to the changing media landscape and reaching a new generation of fans.
The Grand Stage of Miss USA 2025 in Reno
The Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, hosted Miss USA for the fourth time after 2019, 2022, and 2023. Reno’s consistent partnership with the organization continues to cement its reputation as the “home of Miss USA.” The city’s vibrant atmosphere and hospitality provided the perfect backdrop for the event’s elegance and excitement.
This year’s pageant also renewed a three-year hosting deal originally secured in 2022 under the directorship of former Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart. With its spectacular venue, Reno once again proved to be the heart of American pageantry.
The Crowning Moment of Miss USA 2025
The grand finale of Miss USA 2025 was filled with anticipation and surprise. The outgoing queen, Alma Cooper of Michigan, was notably absent from the ceremony. In her place, the reigning Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark, crowned Audrey Eckert of Nebraska as the new Miss USA.
Audrey’s victory was more than just a personal triumph – it was a historic moment for Nebraska. The 23-year-old beauty from Lincoln had previously held the title of Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2020 and finished as 3rd Runner-Up at Miss Teen USA 2020. Her journey from a teenage pageant star to Miss USA is a testament to her persistence and growth.
As Miss USA 2025, Audrey will go on to represent the United States at Miss Universe 2025, scheduled to take place on November 21, 2025, in Thailand.
Top 5 Finalists of Miss USA 2025
The competition concluded with a strong group of finalists who impressed the judges and audience alike with their poise and intelligence. The final placements were:
- Miss USA 2025 – Audrey Eckert (Nebraska)
- 1st Runner-Up – Ivy Harrington (New Jersey)
- 2nd Runner-Up – Chantéa McIntyre (Oregon)
- 3rd Runner-Up – Taylor Lauren Davis (Texas)
- 4th Runner-Up – Mary Sickler (Nevada)
Each finalist delivered heartfelt answers during the final question round, addressing topics such as empowerment, authenticity, and the evolving definition of beauty in today’s world.
Top 10 and Top 20 Semifinalists of Miss USA 2025
From a total of 51 contestants representing all U.S. states and the District of Columbia, 20 semifinalists were initially announced. Among them, four contestants advanced to the semifinals through fan voting, reflecting the pageant’s interactive approach and fan engagement.
Top 10 semifinalists included:
- Alabama – Kennedy Whisenant
- Florida – Lou Schieffelin
- Georgia – Savannah Miles
- Oklahoma – Zoe Ferraro
- Vermont – Victoria Chuah
They joined the five finalists in a thrilling competition that showcased charisma, confidence, and elegance.
Special Awards of Miss USA 2025
In addition to the main crown, several contestants were recognized for their outstanding qualities and performances:
- Miss Photogenic: Shelby Howell (Maine)
- Best State Costume: Shae Smith (Missouri)
- Miss Congeniality: Tetra Shockley (Delaware)
- Preliminary Best in Swimsuit: Audrey Eckert (Nebraska)
These awards celebrated the individuality, creativity, and spirit of the contestants who made their mark on the stage.
Diverse and Inspiring Contestants
Miss USA 2025 broke new ground by embracing diversity and inclusivity. For the second consecutive year, women over the age of 28 were eligible to compete, opening doors for contestants from various walks of life and life stages.
The roster of delegates included remarkable women with unique stories:
- Tetra Shockley (Delaware, 44 years old) – the oldest contestant in Miss USA history, representing that beauty and ambition know no age.
- Mary Sickler (Nevada) – the first woman with alopecia to compete at Miss USA, challenging beauty stereotypes with confidence and grace.
- Mona Lesa Brackett (New Hampshire) – the first contestant to wear a hijab on the Miss USA stage, symbolizing cultural pride and diversity.
- Sydney Hella (Colorado) – a crossover titleholder, formerly Miss Earth USA Air 2024, showcasing the unity among pageant systems.
- Lou Schieffelin (Florida) and Savannah Miles (Georgia) – both Miss Teen USA 2018 alumni who returned as accomplished adults, highlighting the growth of former teen queens.
These inspiring women reflected a modern, inclusive vision of beauty – one that celebrates authenticity and empowerment beyond appearances.
Pageant Format of Miss Universe USA 2025
The competition followed a well-structured format divided into multiple rounds to determine the finalists:
- Preliminary Competition – Contestants competed in swimsuit, evening gown, and a closed-door interview with judges. Sixteen semifinalists were chosen based on these scores.
- Public Voting – For the first time, online voting allowed fans to help four additional contestants advance to the Top 20.
- Swimsuit Round – The Top 20 competed again, and the field was narrowed to 10 based on their stage presence and confidence.
- Evening Gown Round – The Top 10 contestants showcased their elegance and personal style, leading to the final Top 5.
- Final Question & Walk – The final five faced thought-provoking questions from the judges before the ultimate crowning.
This transparent and engaging format ensured that contestants were evaluated on beauty, intellect, and advocacy equally.
Judging Panel of Miss Universe USA 2025
A distinguished panel of judges brought experience and expertise from pageantry, entertainment, fashion, and media:
- Nia Sanchez – Miss USA 2014 and 1st Runner-Up at Miss Universe 2014
- Sasha Farber – Professional dancer and “Dancing with the Stars” finalist
- Jade Roper Tolbert – TV personality and lifestyle influencer
- Hannah Edwards – International model scout
- Kenneth Barlis – Luxury fashion designer and founder of Kenneth Barlis Couture
Together, they represented the multifaceted essence of modern womanhood – balancing beauty with purpose.
A Celebration of Modern Womanhood
Under Thomas Brodeur’s new leadership, Miss USA 2025 celebrated not only glamour but also personal achievement and advocacy. The contestants represented diverse backgrounds – teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors, artists, and social advocates – all using their platforms to inspire change.
Audrey Eckert stood out not just for her beauty, but also for her advocacy for youth mental health awareness, inspired by her own experiences as a college student navigating the pressures of success. Her calm confidence, eloquence, and compassion resonated deeply with both the judges and the audience.
Miss USA 2025: A Symbol of Change
Miss USA 2025 will be remembered as a pageant that embraced change and inclusivity. From its digital broadcast on Queen Beauty Network to the record age range of participants, it reflected how beauty pageants continue to evolve with the times.
Audrey Eckert’s win represents a new generation of American queens – ambitious, authentic, and compassionate. As she prepares to compete at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand, fans are hopeful that she will bring the Miss Universe crown back to the United States.
Looking Ahead
With a redefined purpose and renewed leadership, the Miss USA Organization appears ready to rebuild its legacy with integrity and innovation. As the brand adapts to the modern era, it continues to provide a platform for women to share their voices and make an impact globally.
From veterans to first-time contestants, Miss USA 2025 reminded the world that pageantry is not just about beauty – it’s about empowerment, courage, and purpose.
As the spotlight now shines on Audrey Eckert, all eyes turn toward Thailand, where she will take her place on the world stage, proudly wearing the sash of the United States.
Also read about “Audrey Eckert: Miss Universe USA 2025 – A New Era of Grace, Grit, and Glamour“.
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