MAIN Art & ... Pop Culture Miss USA 2008

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 Texas Miss USA 2008 Chrystle Stewart

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 also 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.

Miss USA 2006

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, took a fall on stage during the evening gown competition at the 2007 Miss Universe pageant in May. Due to current chilly relations with the U.S.A, an audience of Mexicans and South Americans also booed Smith during the question-and-answer period.

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

Miss USA 2008

This year's 57th annual pageant was broadcast live on the evening of Friday, April 11, 2008 on NBC, and was hosted by reunited brother & sister act, Donny and Marie Osmond. Some of the more notable guest judges included Heather Mills, fresh from her divorce settlement from ex-Beatle Paul McCartney who was joined by another Dancing with the Stars alum, Joey Fatone.

Adding to the mix of celebrity judges was comedy actor Rob Schneider and Christian Siriano, winner of this year's Project Runway.

Miss USA Beauty Pageant 2008 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 2007 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