MAIN Art & ... Pop Culture Miss USA 2009

also see -> Miss America

How She's Chosen ... Contestants are required to be at least 18 and not yet 27 years old. Each contestant from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The winner of the Miss USA contest goes on to represent the United States in the Miss Universe pageant.

Miss North Carolina Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton

Interesting Factoids ... Catalina swimwear began the Miss USA Pageant when a Miss America winner refused to wear the swimsuit they picked for her! The bathing beauty concept has come a long way from those early days.

The actress Halle Berry was introduced to the world as first runner-up in the Miss USA contest in 1986 (Christy Fichtner was crowned that year). While she lost the Miss Universe bid, Berry's movie career was launched by the publicity she received and the amazing beauty and poise she presented to the world.

Recent Miss USA Controversies

Tara Elizabeth Conner was the Kentucky beauty who captured the Miss USA title in 2006. Months later, however, she was under threat of losing her crown due to "inappropriate behavior" amid reports she had visited New York City bars when she was not yet 21.

Days of speculation about her fate ended in a much-publicized Donald Trump press conference on December 19, 2006 when the Miss USA franchise co-owner announced that Conner would be allowed a second chance to keep her crown.

Soon after, Miss Nevada Katie Rees faced no second chance at keeping her crown, after she was officially dethroned in January 2007, for compromising photos in various states of undress which appeared on the Internet.

Miss USA 2007 Takes a Fall

Even more unwelcome notoriety came in 2007 when Rachel Smith, the reigning Miss USA, tripped and fell during the evening gown competition at the 2007 Miss Universe pageant in May.

Poised and confident throughout her ordeal, Smith eventually was awarded 4th runner-up.

Miss USA 2009

This year's pageant was broadcast live on NBC Television on Sunday, April 19th at the Theatre for the Performing Arts located at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Hosting the 58th annual ceremony were 'Access Hollywood' co-host Billy Bush and 'My Name Is Earl' star Nadine Velazquez who helped crown Miss North Carolina, Kristen Dalton, the new Miss USA .

True to form, this year's pageant was not without controversy following a response from Miss California, Carrie Prejean, to a question on gay marriage. Fumbling for words, the beauty queen stated that she was in favor of the "opposite" of same sex unions, resulting in a mixed audience response of cheers and catcalls.

Prejean, runner-up to Miss North Carolina who won the title, later admitted that the response may have cost her the USA crown. However, two weeks later, semi-nude photos of the California pageant queen surfaced on the Internet. Prejean was expected to face the consequences for the racy photos - taken when she was 17 - as rumors buzzed that she was to be stripped of her Miss California crown and title.

However, on Monday, May 12, 2009 in a press conference led by pageant owner Donald Trump it was announced that the beauty queen would be allowed to retain her crown, citing 21st century attitudes toward "model" photos. Yet, weeks later on June 10 Trump reversed his decision and fired Prejean citing her failure to live up to her contract since the nude photo scandal. Prejean was replaced with Miss California runner-up Tami Farrell.

It still remains to be seen if the 2010 Miss USA pageant can top this year for sheer drama, but chances are it just might. Stay tuned ....


More about Miss USA around the Web:

Miss USA Beauty Pageant 2009 Official Site - The place to be for everything you always wanted to know, featuring behind-the-scenes at the Miss USA Pageant, related trivia, history, info on past shows, a past-winners' photo gallery and media contact and registration info.

Pageant Place - MTV's nod to the Miss USA pageant with a reality TV-based look at the posh pads of America's top beauty queens including fashion, makeup and beauty tips.

Pageant Almanac - Miss USA - Up to date coverage of the pageant including plenty of stats for trivia buffs....

Coverage of the Miss USA Pageant - Turn for the Judges features trivia, current info, news and plenty of photos of 2007 Miss USA contestants.

Miss USA - Brief history, a list of winners dating back to 1952 and related pictures, links to current pageant contestants & bios, a comprehensive schedule of events leading up to the pageant, interesting trivia, links to further information from Wikipedia.

Pageantry Magazine Online - Good coverage of general pageant information and interviews with a few of the past Miss USA winners - plus facts & information for hair, make up, fitness and modeling tips for aspiring beauty queens.

Dina, Inc - The place for official pageant jewelry and tiaras. Rhinestones sparkling brightly...

also see -> Miss America | Miss World