Nebraska native takes the crown in emotional victory

Audrey Eckert from Nebraska became the newest Miss USA on Friday night, marking a fresh beginning for the pageant after nearly 18 months of turmoil and leadership upheaval. The 22-year-old digital safety advocate defeated 50 competitors at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, in an emotional crowning ceremony that signaled the organization’s attempt to move forward from recent controversies.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate and former cheerleader collapsed to her knees in tears as gold streamers showered down following the announcement of her victory. Ivy Harrington from New Jersey earned first runner-up honors, while Chantéa McIntyre from Oregon claimed the second runner-up position after five days of intense competition featuring swimwear, eveningwear and question-and-answer sessions with judges.

In a departure from pageant tradition, Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig placed the crown on Eckert’s head rather than the previous Miss USA winner. Alma Cooper of Michigan, who won the title in 2024, did not attend the ceremony. The change symbolized the pageant’s complicated recent history and ongoing transition under new management.

From chaos to a new chapter

The Miss USA organization endured significant upheaval beginning in May 2024, when both Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava resigned within days of each other. Voigt initially cited mental health reasons for her departure, but eagle-eyed social media users noticed that the first letters of sentences in her resignation post spelled out a hidden message suggesting she had been silenced by restrictive agreements.

Documents later revealed that Voigt had described experiencing what she characterized as a toxic workplace environment with allegations of poor management practices. She also claimed that inadequate staffing led to an incident during a Florida Christmas parade where she experienced harassment while alone in a vehicle. Former president Laylah Rose has consistently disputed these allegations.

The controversy deepened when American businessman Thom Brodeur announced last month that he had secured the rights to operate both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA through a 10-year licensing deal from the Miss Universe Organization. However, Rose contested this announcement through social media, claiming she had not seen documentation confirming any ownership transfer.

The Miss Universe Organization released a statement backing Brodeur’s acquisition, while its co-owner JKN Global Group filed legal action against Rose’s company VVV Global. The lawsuit alleged contract violations and damage to the Miss USA brand reputation, while reiterating previous claims about mistreatment of contestants, winners, staff and volunteers.

VVV Global responded by maintaining its dedication to the pageant industry and filing a countersuit seeking more than $116 million in damages. After approximately a week, Brodeur announced he had regained control of the pageant’s social media platforms. The Brodeur Beauty founder previously told media outlets that he aimed to eliminate restrictive language that had prevented the two young women from discussing their experiences.

Historic changes and diverse representation

The pageant, founded in 1952, has experienced multiple ownership transitions in recent years. Donald Trump controlled both Miss USA and Miss Universe from 1996 until 2015, when he sold them to WME-IMG. Thai businesswoman Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip’s JKN Global Group acquired both organizations in 2022.

This year’s competition showcased significant progress in inclusivity. More than a dozen contestants were 30 or older, following the 2024 elimination of age restrictions that previously barred women over 28, as well as married women and mothers, from competing. Tetra Shockley of Delaware, 44, made history as the oldest competitor in pageant history. MonaLesa Brackett of New Hampshire became the first woman to compete wearing a hijab.

The weeklong event began Monday with a state costume competition won by Missouri’s Shae Smith. Preliminary rounds and private interviews narrowed the field from 51 contestants to 16 finalists, with four additional spots determined through public voting. During the judging phase, contestants answered questions from panelists including 2014 Miss USA winner and television personality Nia Sanchez on topics ranging from media representation to artificial intelligence.

What’s next for the new Miss USA

Eckert will represent the United States at the 74th Miss Universe competition in Thailand next month. The USA holds the record as the most successful nation in the contest’s history, with nine American winners across 73 years.

Friday’s event marked another historic change as the first Miss USA pageant since 1963 not to air on traditional television. Instead, the ceremony streamed exclusively through a specialized beauty and pageantry platform.

On Thursday evening, Missouri high school student Mailyn Marsh, an aspiring dermatologist, was crowned Miss Teen USA. The companion title recognizes competitors between ages 14 and 19.