Originally created by a group of Atlantic City businessmen in the 1920s, the evolution of Miss America would see the event ultimately operated as a nonprofit. Miss America was established in 1921 as the “Inter-City Beauty Contest' and took place on the boardwalk of Atlantic City, New Jersey.Ī century later, the event has become a familiar staple of Americana and, as its official website notes, has been 'at the center of everything from national trends to social movements to the birth of television.' Past Miss USA contestants include Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry (a 1986 runner-up) and model-actress Ali Landry, who won Miss USA in 1996. Miss Teen USA 2020: Hawaii's Ki'ilani Arruda crowned during pageant at Graceland Which celebrities have competed in Miss USA? Once a winner is crowned, the victor of Miss USA goes on to compete in the Miss Universe contest. Participants are between the ages of 18 and 28. The top six contestants then participate in a question-and-answer round. In terms of the competition, Miss USA features a swimsuit portion and evening gown presentation (there is no talent competition). What does the Miss USA competition consist of? Hollywood mega-talent agency WME/IMG acquired the Miss Universe Organization from Trump in 2015. In 1996, Donald Trump purchased rights to the pageant from ITT and operated it - along with the Miss Universe competition - until 2015. Other owners have included Gulf & Western and ITT Inc.

Miss USA has been owned and operated by a variety of corporate interests since the Catalina company founded the event.

View Gallery: Miss USA 2020: Miss Mississippi Asya Branch wins, see highlights Who has previously owned Miss USA? Miss USA 2020: Pageant at Graceland crowns winner Asya Branch from Elvis' home state As a result, an enraged Catalina went off and started a competing event, and thus Miss USA was born - launching its first pageant in 1952 in Long Beach, California.Ĭatalina would also create the Miss Universe pageant, which has become the world's most watched beauty competition, airing in 190 different countries annually. The Miss America pageant organizers, under pressure from Catalina, urged Betbeze to reconsider but she refused and held her ground.

Due to her conservative background, Betbeze refused to pose in a swimsuit after she won the title, which was a problem as one of Miss America's big sponsors was Catalina Swimwear. Miss USA got its start thanks to the defiance of an Alabama woman named Yolande Betbeze.īetbeze, who had been educated in a convent school, won Miss America in 1950. Miss USA actually originates from the Miss America contest, and there are key differences between the pageants, such as contestants’ ages, pageant attire and performance requirements.

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