THE PRETHOUGHTS

THE RESULTS (June 9, 2014)

Congratulations to the new Miss USA, Nia Sanchez! In a very competitive year, Nia captures the first Miss USA crown for Nevada. Nia was trained by former Miss USA, Shanna Moakler who has yet another success story. My winner, Georgia's Tiana's Griggs had to settle for 2nd runner up. So how did I do with my predictions? Well, I got 13 of the 20 semifinalists plus 2 alternates and 3 honorable mentions. The ladies that escaped my list were Virginia and Arizona. Tom's Page of Miss Universe Mania also turns sweet sixteen today on June 9! My full commentary will be posted on June 15.

THE PREDICTIONS (June 6, 2014)

What an incredibly competitive year! This year's Miss USA pageant is truly going to be a fight to the finish with any number of possible outcomes. I do have my mind set on a winner but from there, it is anyone's guess! The number of semifinalists has been increased to 20 for this year's pageant. There hasn't been a top 20 since Miss Universe 2006. While I like the idea of including more semifinalists, I just hope the spots go to deserving candidates as opposed to Miss Universe 2006 when there were some very random semifinalist choices and some stronger delegates didn't place.
Who are my picks this year? Here we go!


TOM'S FINAL PREDICTIONS FOR MISS USA 2014

Winner=Georgia-Tiana Griggs

Princess Tiana is 'almost there!' Are we about to witness a Disney fairytale come to life with the crowning of Tiana Griggs as Princess of the USA? Of course, for those who read my first round prethoughts, you will know I drew some compelling parallels between Tiana Griggs competing for Miss USA and the Disney fairytale 'The Princess and the Frog'. One being that Tiana shares the same name as the main character. Tiana's father recently passed away as mentioned on her facebook page in March similarly to the film where Tiana's father also passes away as she enters adulthood. Miss USA 1993, Kenya Moore has made a resurgence in her career by starring in the reality show 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' which is set in Georgia which also happens to be the state of Kenya Moore's 1st runner up, Erin Nance who obtained Georgia's highest placement so far and Tiana Griggs is Georgia's hope to capture its first Miss USA crown. And the biggest parallel was that this year's Miss USA pageant happens to be in Louisiana which is also where 'The Princess and the Frog' is set. Couple of all this with Tiana's commanding stage presence, mesmerizing glamour and great speaking skills and I have me a winner in Princess Tiana! She’s the best thing I never knew I needed!

1st Runner Up=Tennessee-Kristy Landers Niedenfuer

Is there a 7 year chain for Tennessee? In 2000, Lynnette Cole won Tennessee's 1st Miss USA crown, then 7 years later, Rachel Smith won the crown for Tennessee and here we are another 7 years later in 2014 with Kristy so will it happen?? Some have asked if Kristy's even real given how she seems to have the overall strength that a titleholder should possess. It also helps that Kristy has strong genes coming from her mother who is actress Judy Landers and baseball player father Tom Niedenfuer. Kristy is a star in her own right though possessing exceptional speaking skills, an amazing body and many have noticed how on-point and consistent her styling has been. This girl came very prepared and it should pay off and I also think this era could use a strong titleholder like Kristy who will set a good example for young girls to be more and reach for the highest heights as Kristy does with her talents in aerial acrobatics.

2nd Runner Up=North Dakota-Audra Mari

That face and that body! Audra Mari has such angelic eyes and is such a find from a state that rarely places. Audra first made waves placing as 1st runner up to Miss Teen USA 2011 and now here she is making a strong impact at Miss USA. Audra is actually one of two former 1st runner ups at Miss Teen USA - the other being Illinois' Lexi Atkins. I'm giving the edge to Audra and she is very likely going to give a high placement for North Dakota which hasn't placed since Juliette Spier (another former Teen) in 1996.

3rd Runner Up=Florida-Brittany Oldehoff

Another favorite for the crown. Brittany hopes to get Florida’s first outright win. She does have a decent body and this gown can only help with its metallic fringe and overall fabulousness. I’m hesitant to place her higher as there is something off about her eyebrows similarly to South Carolina but she does have what it takes to earn a high placement.

4th Runner Up=South Carolina-Christina Zapolski

This year’s tallest delegate is bound to be noticed as well. She has an amazing gown and her height gives her those envied long legs. Like Florida, she also has eyebrow issues but she is expected to do very well. Christina was a runner up to last year’s South Carolina rep, Megan Pinckney who also placed in the top 6 so Christina is expected to at least match that.

5th Runner Up=Utah-Angelia Layton

Angie is just gorgeous with a great résumé already having placed in the top 5 of Miss Teen USA 2010 and also was a contestant on ‘Survivor: Philippines’ so with that busty figure and this lovely gown, she is expected to do well and after Utah placed among the top 6 last year, Angie hopes to follow that up and then some. Can she do it for Utah?

FINALISTS:

Alabama-Jesica Ahlberg

Also another natural beauty, Jessica will very likely will maintain Alabama’s streak in the semifinals and make it a fifth year in a row. What keeps me from placing her higher is her height but in this competitive year, who knows what will happen?

Nevada-Nia Sanchez

Nia is also well prepared and came styled superbly for this competition thanks to the Nevada team which includes former Miss USA, Shanna Moakler who has been behind a lot of recent success stories so Nia is also expected to maintain Nevada’s current streak in the semifinals. There’s a whole lot of classic beauty going on here with the hair to the side and this eye-catching gown. Nevada has also never won the crown so Nia hopes to change that.

Colorado-Eleanna Livaditis

She wasn’t anywhere on my radar until I saw these pics of Eleanna in preliminaries and she is glowing so suddenly, she found herself a spot in my top 10. This gown is very pleasant and she is also in great shape and with that stunning face, I am looking for her to get noticed in a big way.

Minnesota-Haley O’Brien

Haley is just so much fun! I could see her winning the Congeniality award and she does have a great look and body with this bold blue gown. She stands out and she shines from the inside out with her beaming personality so I think she can go far in this competition.

SEMIFINALISTS:

California-Cassandra Kunze

Cassandra is also one of the outstanding beauties of this pageant but her figure caused me to rank her a little lower as I think she might be perhaps a bit too busty and perhaps a bit heavier for this competition that this gown looks almost uncomfortable so I don’t think she will make it past the swimsuit round. As mentioned previously, she reminds me a lot of Natasha Allas who was Miss California Teen USA 1992 and a top 6 finalist at Miss Teen USA 1992 and also Miss World USA 1999 and a top 10 semifinalist at Miss World 1999. Cassandra is a former titleholder herself holding the title of Miss Teenage California 2012.

Louisiana-Brittany Guidry

Brittany was also a former runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2009 so the hometown girl is expected to make a splash in this year’s pageant in her state. She does have a great body and she works this flowy gown very well so I think she will do quite well.

Pennsylvania-Valerie Gatto

This girl’s retro look has been getting her noticed in a good way. Her style is unique and she has a great body and gown and her hairstyle is also incredible. Valerie’s compelling story of being the product of a rape will likely gain her interview points where I feel she will do extremely well so I feel good about her.

New Jersey-Emily Shah

Emily is already heavily involved in the entertainment industry so she has a lot more experience than the average contestant and I think that will not go unnoticed. She adds that exotic zest with a nice body and very unique gown. Emily also has a very interesting back story being the daughter of a Bollywood film producer and she also met former Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen who won that crown in 1994 which is the year Emily was born!

Texas-Lauren Guzman

I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt here. She is representing Texas and not just anyone wins the most successful state pageant in this pageant’s history. This gown was apparently designed by Gionni Straccia who also designs for Venezuelan contestants and I think this gown alone could get her in.

Wisconsin-Bishara Dorre

I just like this girl a lot. She interviews extremely well and has a great body gown and this yellow gown really stands out especially on her skin tone. Bishara has fought hard to win her state title and I think she can bring Wisconsin back after a long absence from the semifinals as Bishara is just exceptional.

Illinois-Lexi Atkins

The other former Miss Teen USA 1st runner-up who achieved that feat in 2010 is Lexi Atkins but her performance and overall attitude hasn’t been as strong so I’ve become less sure of her but she seems very relaxed in interview so I am still giving her a spot.

New York-Candice Kendall

There’s a hint of exotic beauty here and she appears very prepared and has a great body and very elegant gown so she is also a former Teen so that gives her experience. I would like to see her radiate more warmth and have less of a scowling look.

Ohio-Madison Gesiotto

This is another one that I just like. She reminds me of an exotic Miss Universe contestant like Jictzad Vina, Miss Venezuela 2005/06 or even a former Miss India so Madison also has strong interview skills and I feel that she is well prepared and carries herself tremendously well so I am giving her a spot in my list.

Massachusetts-Caroline Lunny

Another former Teen, Caroline just appeals to me as I think she has a great body and this gown was what really did it for me. I love it and how she carries herself. She seems very friendly and just found her to be likeable so she gets the last spot among my semifinalists.

ALTERNATES:

Michigan-Elizabeth Ivezaj

She is of Albanian descent like pageant photographer Fadil Berisha and she seems groomed well so she could place but she would be a surprise. I would like to see her exude a brighter personality.

Missouri-Erica Sturdefant

I can see her placing. I don’t see her making a lot of other lists so that’s pretty much the reason why I’m putting her as an alternate but she does have a great body and a great gown so I would like to see her place.

Arkansas-Helen Wisner

She’s very fit and she’s a teacher so she can present well so she could be up there but she just isn’t one of my favorites and the gown didn’t help so I’m putting her as an alternate.

Iowa-Carlyn Bradarich

She is making a few lists and she does have a nice face and gown. The body’s not quite there for me and I feel that she could use a little more confidence in interview so I’m putting her as an alternate.

Oklahoma-Brooklynne Young

She’s just not quite semifinalist material for me as I don’t feel the overall look is there. I can see her being cut for whatever reason.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Maryland-Taylor Burton

Yes, she’s fit but I’m just not getting her although other people seem to like her but she doesn’t seem to have that warmth so I’m just putting her as an honorable mention.

Hawaii-Moani Hara

She is making a few other lists but she doesn’t quite appeal to me all that much so I’m putting her as an honorable mention.

Nebraska-Amanda Soltero

Amanda is another former Teen as she has a decent overall look but perhaps a bit small-bodied but there is potential here.

North Carolina-Olivia Olvera

She had some strong competition at her state pageant so she is getting some recognition but she’s more of a longshot. She apparently had some runway training from Lu Sierra who trains all the delegates so maybe that means something.

Indiana-Mekayla Diehl

As mentioned earlier, Mekayla seems like more of a Miss America type but last year’s winner, Erin Brady, I also feel is a bit more of that type so that could be what they are looking for. Still, this one doesn’t quite have the right body type but she could do very well in interview so we’ll see what happens.

So there we have it, folks! Another year with another set of predictions so how will it all play out? We’ll find out Sunday night, June 8 on NBC!

SECOND ROUND PRETHOUGHTS (May 31, 2014)

Las Vegas passed the baton to Baton Rouge after Vegas hosted the pageant since 2008. This new venue brings an insanely competitive batch of delegates! I do have my mind set on a winner but this year's Miss USA pageant is truly going to be a fight to the finish. This year's pageant is not to be missed and promises to be one of the most exciting ever! Like last year, there will also be a delegate saved via Twitter so #savethequeen is trending. Last year, Texas was saved giving her a spot in the top 6 so who will it be this year?

Miss USA 2014 will be hosted by Thomas Roberts who returns after hosting Miss Universe 2013 and Guiliana Rancic who has been hosting the pageant for several years now. Jeannie Mai will also once again serve as the behind the scenes commentator. The pageant will also feature performances by: Florida-Georgia Line, Nelly, Marc Broussard & Dirty Dozen brass band. Make sure to tune in on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. on NBC.

The Preliminary Competition will be held on June 4 but apparently the preliminaries aren't being webcast this year (sad face). The preliminary judges include: Miss USA 1990 - Carole Gist, Bryce Townsend, Chantal "Taly" Russell, Fred Nelson, Janna Ronert, Jeanne Burns and Scott Balber.


Some delegates visit the Nottoway Plantation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on May 29, 2014.


Some delegates and Miss USA 2013, Erin Brady pose for a photo during a Rooftop Pool Private Party at L’Auberge Casino Hotel Baton Rouge on Friday, May 30th.

I will be posting my final predictions on June 6 but in the meantime, I will be posting my present thoughts on each delegate.

Alabama Alabama currently has the longest running streak in the semifinals placing every year since 2010 so obviously Jesica Ahlberg hopes to make it a 5th year in a row. Jesica has an absolutely stunning face and is a favorite so I currenly have her in my top 10. She may not have as much height but she is a very natural beauty and she is fully expected to appeal to the judges. Alabama has won the crown only once back in 1967 with Sylvia Hitchcock who would go on to win Miss Universe that year. What fate awaits Jesica? Alaska North to the future is their motto! The northernmost state of Alaska hasn't placed since 1990 and is still waiting for that right delegate to do it but this year's delegate is not expected to place. Arizona This year's delegate seems to be favored by others but I have her more in the honorable mentions category so I will wait until preliminaries to determine where I place Arizona. Arizona last placed in 2011 and they inherited the crown in 1980 but they have yet to outright win the crown. Arkansas Arkansas sends us a more unconventional pick this year. I don't see a placement this year for Arkansas so she is not among my picks. Arkansas has won the crown once in 1982 thanks to Terri Utley and they last placed in 2012 thanks to the Internet vote. California We have us a contender with California's Cassandra Kunze. As mentioned previously, she reminds me a lot of Natasha Allas who was Miss California Teen USA 1992 and a top 6 finalist at Miss Teen USA 1992 and also Miss World USA 1999 and a top 10 semifinalist at Miss World 1999. Cassandra is a former titleholder herself holding the title of Miss Teenage California 2012. California is also among my top 10 picks but I will determine where exactly to place her after preliminaries. California has won the crown 6 times (1959, 1966, 1975, 1983, 1992 and 2011). Colorado Colorado last placed in 2012 but they have never won the crown. This year's delegate seems to be noticed by some but I'm not so sure about her so I will wait until after preliminaries to determine where to place her. Connecticut The state of the reigning Miss USA sends us a Venezuelan-born delegate. No state has won consecutive crowns since Texas did the unthinkable and won 5 years in a row from 1985 to 1989. This year's representative is not among my picks this year. Delaware The pressure is always on Delaware since it is the only state to have never placed in the history of Miss USA. Kelsey was also Miss Delaware Teen USA 2009 but she is not among my picks. District of Columbia Ciera seems to have a favorable personality which seems to be getting her noticed by others but she is not among my picks this year. The nation's capital last won the crown in 2002 thanks to Shauntay Hinton and they also won in 1964 with Bobbi Johnson. D.C. hasn't placed since 2006. Florida Brittany Oldehoff is one of the favorites this year. She is among my top 10 picks currently. She has experience as a model and is the Sunshine state's latest hope to outright win Miss USA. Their 1967 titleholder, Cheryl Ann Patton accepted the crown after Sylvia Hitchcock won Miss Universe 1967 and the 1st runner up did not accept the title. Florida last placed in 2011. Georgia Princess Tiana is 'Almost There!' My first round prethoughts likely would have told you that the Georgious Georgian Tiana Griggs is my winner this year. Tiana competing for Miss USA 2014 has brought about compelling parallels with the Disney fairytale, 'The Princess and the Frog' that were too powerful for me to ignore coupled with her dynamic stage presence and beauty. Amazingly, Georgia has never captured the crown before so it is time for the Peach state to get its recognition after placing as a runner-up many times before. Hawaii A former Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen, Moani is the Aloha state's latest bet for the crown. This is one that I'm not quite sure about so I'll be watching her closely during preliminaries. Hawaii has won the Miss USA crown 4 times with their most recent winner also winning Miss Universe in 1997 and they last placed in 2011. Idaho Yvette is the sister of Miss Northern Marianas Universe 2006, Shequita Bennett. She is an interesting, sweet delegate but does not have the body for this competition so I'm not expecting her to place. Idaho last placed in 2009 and inherited the crown in 1997. Illinois Lexi Atkins is also one to keep an eye on. She is one of two Miss Teen USA 1st runner ups competing for Miss USA 2014 so she is expected to do well. Illinois placed as 2nd runner up last year and looks like they are hungry for the Miss USA crown yet again as they have captured the crown 4 times. Indiana There's possiblities here. Mekayla seems very poised and perhaps more suited for Miss America than Miss USA but she is also one to watch as she looks like she could do it. Indiana has never won the crown but they do have a 1st runner up with Holly Dennis in 1981. They last placed in 2011. Iowa Iowa's delegate could pull off a surprise so I'll be watching her in preliminaries closely. Iowa hasn't placed since 2000 and their only winner, Carol Morris in 1956 went on to win Miss Universe that year. Kansas This year's delegate is tall but is also not expected to place. Kansas last won the crown in 1991 thanks to Kelli McCarty and they last placed in 2010. Kentucky I'm not sold on Kentucky's delegate this year so she is not among my picks. Kentucky won the crown once in 2006 and they last placed in 2009. Louisiana This year's host delegate was also a former Teen delegate placing as 4th runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2009 so she is one to watch. She is one of my semifinalists at this moment. Louisiana has won the crown 3 times (1958, 1961, 1996) and placed last year also. Maine Maine has never won the crown and they did have a 3 year streak placing from 2010 to 2012 but this year's delegate is not expected to place. Maryland Maryland has a 3 year streak in the semifinals currently with the 2012 delegate inheriting the Miss USA crown. Taylor hopes to make it a 4th year in a row for Maryland. This one is talked about by others but I don't really see it but I'll be watching her closely during preliminaries to see if she can change my mind. Massachusetts Caroline is another former Teen who placed in the top 15 at Miss Teen USA 2008 so she is a possibility but she is one that I'm not positive about so let's see if she can change my mind during preliminaries. Massachusetts has won the crown twice in 1998 and 2003. Michigan She is of Albanian descent which might win the favor of the official photographer for the pageant, Fadil Berisha, who is also of Albanian descent. Elizabeth Ivezaj seems to have a look influenced by Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012 so we'll what happens with her. She is more among my alternates/honorable mentions as of right now. Michigan won the crown 3 times (1990, 1993 and 2010). Minnesota This one is among my semifinalist picks as her personality is just irresistible and she stands out in a great way and her experience competing at Miss Teen USA 2010 should help her. Minnesota won its only crown in 1976 and they last placed in 2009 so can Haley do it? Mississippi Mississippi has never won the crown but they were 1st runner up in 2008 and last placed in 2010. This year's delegate is not among my picks. Missouri Erica competed at Miss Teen USA 2010 so she is experienced so she is a possibility. I can see her being cut though so I will wait until preliminaries to determine where I place her. Missouri last placed in 2011 and won the crown once in 2004. Montana Montana hasn`t placed since 1958 and I am not expecting that to change this year. Nebraska Another former Teen who is not currently among my picks but she has experience and a decent look so I'll be watching her during preliminaries. Nebraska has never won the crown and last placed in 2010. Nevada Nevada's latest bet is Nia Sanchez who previously competed in California and she looks very well prepared thanks to her director being former Miss USA, Shanna Moakler. Nevada has placed for the last 2 years so Nia hopes to keep the streak going. They have never won the crown but did place 1st runner up in 1977. Nia is among my semifinalist picks currently. New Hampshire This year's delegate is not among my picks. New Hampshire has never won but they did pull off a 1st runner up placement in 2000 and last placed in 2004. New Jersey As mentioned in my first round prethoughts, Emily Shah is the daughter of Bollywood film producer, Prashant Shah and has much experience in front of and behind the screen so we shall see if it pays off. She has also met former Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen who won her crown in 1994, the year Emily was born so there is a lot of pressure on Emily but she looks like she can handle it. New Jersey has never won the crown but they do have may runners-up so will New Jersey do it? New Mexico New Mexico did pull off a win in 1984 but placements for this state are rare. This year's delegate does not have the body for this competition and is not expected to place. New York New York has an exotic pick this year with Candace who also competed in Miss Teen USA 2006. This time around, she is going by the last name Kendall instead of Kuykendall and she is one to keep an eye on. New York has 4 Miss USA crowns (1952, 1979, 1995 and 1999) and they last placed in 2011 so can Candace bring it back for the Big Apple? North Carolina This one has had runway training from Lu Sierra who trains many of the delegates at the national level and she did have some strong competition at the state level so she must have something but I'm not quite seeing it. I'll be watching her in preliminaries to determine what to do with her. North Carolina has had two wins recently in 2005 and 2009 and they also placed last year. North Dakota North Dakota which rarely places has brought in a heavy-hitter this year. Audra Mari was 1st runner up at Miss Teen USA 2011 who has a striking face and a very modelesque body so Audra is in my top 5 as of right now. It's interesting to note that both Illinois and North Dakota are former Miss Teen USA 1st runner ups and both of them in their respective years were 3rd runner up in my predictions' lists for Miss Teen USA so North Dakota and Illinois are standouts making this year a competition of 1998 proportions since Miss Teen USA 1992 and 1994 both competed for Miss USA 1998 so having these two compete together will heighten the excitement of this already competitive year. How will it all play out?? North Dakota has only placed 3 times with the last placement being in 1996 but this state seems to have a better success rate at Miss Teen USA for some reason. Ohio I'm getting vibes from this girl. She has an air of a pageant girl from another era like Jictzad Vina, Miss Venezuela 2005/06. I think she will do well but I don't know for sure that she will place so I will be watching her closely during preliminaries. Ohio won the crown twice (1965 and 1981) and the one and only Halle Berry placed as 1st runner up in 1986 for Ohio so how will Madison do? Oklahoma Brooklynne is one that I have to watch during preliminaries because I am just not positive about her at this time. Oklahoma has placed several times but this is another state that has come close but still has never won the Miss USA crown but they have won the Miss America title several times. Oregon Oregon has never won the Miss USA crown but they have won Miss Teen USA 3 times (more than any other state) but Oregon hasn`t had much success at Miss USA. Oregon last placed in 2004 but I'm not expecting them to place this year. Pennsylvania This is definitely one to keep your eye on. I like her retro look that I find intriguing so she among my semifinalist picks at the moment. She was very blunt in her Road to the Crown video stating that she was a product of a rape. Pennsylvania won the crown once in 1971. Rhode Island Rhode Island captured its first Miss USA crown in 2012 and of course that winner, Olivia Culpo, went to win Miss Universe. This year's delegate from Rhode Island is not expected to place however. South Carolina Christina Zapolski is this year's tallest delegate and with her modelesque looks, she will be among my top 10 picks. South Carolina won the crown three times in 1954, 1980 and 1994 and two of those winners won Miss Universe and their 1990 winner won Miss World so South Carolina's universal pageant track record is one to be revered. After placing last year, how will Christina do for South Carolina? South Dakota South Dakota has only placed twice in 1958 and 1974 and this year`s delegate is also not expected to place. Tennessee Is there a 7-year chain for Tennessee??? Lynnette Cole won Miss USA 2000 for Tennessee then 7 years later, Rachel Smith won Miss USA 2007 for Tennessee and now here we are another 7 years later in 2014 with another very strong contender, Kristy Landers Niedenfuer. Kristy has impressed with consistently on-point styling and she also has great genes as the daughter of actress Judy Landers and baseball pitcher Tom Niedenfuer but Kristy is a star in her own right performing in aerial acrobatics and this is certainly one very prepared and polished delegate that is expected to go far in the competition. She is my 1st runner up currently. After Tennessee's long running streak in the semifinals was broken last year, Tennessee will have its vengeance!!! Keep your eyes on Kristy. Texas Hmmm... Well, she's representing Texas so she must have something. I will be watching her in preliminaries because I'm not entirely sold on her. She did compete for Miss Teen USA 2008 and didn't place there so it could be a year out for the most successful state at Miss USA. Texas has won the Miss USA crown 9 times. Utah Utah's bringing it on after last year's delegate went viral and now this year's delegate is also a top contender. Angie is currently among my top 5 picks as this girl will get noticed and she obviously makes good TV being a contestant on 'Survivor' and she was also 3rd runner up to Miss Teen USA 2010 so she is expected to do very well. utah won the crown once in 1960 and that winner, Linda Bement, went on to win Miss Universe. Vermont Vermont hasn`t placed since 1982 and that isn't expected to change this year but they did win the crown back in 1955. Virginia This year's delegate is not among my picks. Virginia has won the crown twice (1969 and 1970) and they last placed in 2010. Washington Placements for Washington are also rare. They did win the crown in 1968 and last placed in 2004. This year's delegate is not expected to place. West Virginia Other people seem to have taken notice of her so I will be watching her during preliminaries but I'm leaning towards not giving a spot. They did place last year but West Virginia has never won the crown. Their best placement was 1st runner up in 1984. Wisconsin Bishara is very well-spoken and experienced having won Miss Wisconsin Teen USA 2006 and Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen 2007 so she is one to watch. I'm debating whether to put her as an alternate or in my list as I feel like she might just fall short but this is one that I would be happy to see place. Wisconsin has never won the crown and last placed in 2007. Wyoming Wyoming has only placed twice (1986 and 2010) and this year's delegate looks like she might get noticed but Wyoming is normally a bit of a longshot so I'm not counting on it to happen but would be okay with Lexi placing.

So those are my 2nd round prethoughts!
I will post my final predictions for Miss USA 2014 on June 6 and the final night is on June 8 when we will know who will be the new Miss USA!!

FIRST ROUND PRETHOUGHTS (May 19, 2014)



And here we are again, folks! These are the first round pre-thoughts for Miss USA 2014. This year`s pageant is being held on Sunday, June 8 and will be broadcast on NBC. After being held in Las Vegas every year since 2008, we have a new venue this year! It is Baton Rouge, Louisiana which is the city that also hosted Miss Teen USA 2005. Connecticut`s Erin Brady will crown her successor so who will it be?? Well, here are a few delegates that I have my eye on. Also followed by some other interesting pageant world tidbits.



Princess Tiana is the
Best Thing I Never Knew I Needed



I have Georgia on my mind with good reason. The peach state has never captured the Miss USA crown. The closest they have come was back in 1993 when Erin Nance placed as 1st runner up to Michigan's Kenya Moore. Georgia has also had multiple top 5 placements over the years. Enter Georgia's representative for 2014, Tiana Griggs who has a powerful aura or spiritual glow about her and her stage presence is commanding. Many have commented on how she seems to bring a glamour from an older Hollywood into a modern era.

For those of you who have seen the Disney film "The Princess and the Frog", I had an epiphany and would like to point some very eerie parallels between that film and Tiana Griggs competing for Miss USA 2014.

Parallel 1 - The obvious being that Miss Georgia USA's name is Tiana just like the main character in the story "The Princess and the Frog".

Parallel 2 - Tiana's father passed away recently just like Tiana's father passes away in the film as she enters adulthood.

Parallel 3 - Former Miss USA, Kenya Moore is now featured as one of the leading characters of the show, 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' which is set in Georgia and Kenya's 1st runner up, Erin Nance was also from Georgia so are there powers at work here?

Parallel 4 - And this is a big one. This year's Miss USA pageant is being held in Louisiana which is also where 'The Princess and the Frog' is set!!


These signs are just way too coincidental for me and all these factors lead me to firmly place the mesmerizing Tiana Griggs as my winner for Miss USA 2014.
Are we about to witness a Disney fairytale come to life with this year's Miss USA pageant?? Is Tiana's Place in Tiana's Palace??
Trials and tribulations. She's had her share. There ain't nothing gonna stop her now 'cause she's "almost there"!!!




The Bout to Knock the Other Teen Runner-up Out!

It looks like we may just witness a competition of 1998 proportions. For you see, we have two Miss Teen USA 1st runner ups competing for this year's Miss USA crown. Illinois is being represented by Lexi Atkins who was also 1st runner up at Miss Teen USA 2010 and North Dakota is being represented by Audra Mari who was also 1st runner up at Miss Teen USA 2011 which will increase the competitive nature of this year's pageant. Both of these outstanding beauties are expected to do very well in this year's Miss USA pageant and one can only wonder how far these two will go. And I say this is a competition of 1998 proportions because that year saw a similar scenario where Miss Teen USA 1992, Jamie Solinger of Iowa and Miss Teen USA 1994, Shauna Gambill of California both competed for the title of Miss USA 1998. Both were expected to place in the semifinals to add to the excitement of that year's pageant but Iowa's Jamie Solinger did not place whereas California's Shauna Gambill did and made it all the way to 1st runner up making the final results of Miss USA 1998 highly debated to this day since Shauna's answer to the final question was clearly the best although the winner of that pageant, Shawnae Jebbia of Massachusetts topped the swimsuit and evening gown competitions. With this year's pageant, one can only wonder if the excitement will be taken out entirely if one or both of Lexi Atkins and Audra Mari do not place like what happened to Jamie Solinger at Miss USA 1998. And of course, we have seen other scenarios like this. Georgia's Meredith Young was 1st runner up at Miss Teen USA 1991 but she did not place at Miss USA 1999 whereas Indiana's Kelly Lloyd who was 1st runner up at Miss Teen USA 1993 was also 2nd runner up at Miss USA 2002. Texas' Nicole O'Brian replicated Kelly Lloyd's feat immediately after placing as 1st runner up at Miss Teen USA 2000 and 2nd runner up at Miss USA 2003. Then, Alyssa Campanella representing New Jersey was 1st runner up at Miss Teen USA 2007 and reigned triumphant when winning Miss California USA 2011 and then the ultimate crown of Miss USA 2011. Other 1st runner ups at Miss Teen USA have attempted to win their state titles but unfortunately never made it to the Miss USA stage. One of them though, Kristi Hicks who was 1st runner up to Miss Teen USA 1989 did compete for Miss America 1996 but went unplaced. Audra and Lexi are obviously hoping to follow Alyssa's footsteps so the question remains to be answered as Miss USA 2014 unfolds. All eyes will be on Audra and Lexi.



They're So Fancy. You Already Know!!

Other fancy queens that have us asking 'Who Dat? Who Dat??' among the ones to watch this year include Utah's Angelia Layton who also placed in the top 5 at Miss Teen USA 2010 and also was a contestant on the 2012 edition of the reality competition, 'Survivor' which was held in the Philippines. Angie was the 3rd contestant to be eliminated during that edition of 'Survivor' but she hopes to have a high finish during this year's Miss USA pageant following the footsteps of last year's Utah queen, Marissa Powell, who was a heavy favorite for last year's Miss USA crown only to lose out after a tragic final answer that went viral around the world. Utah hasn't won the crown since 1960. Alabama is going to try yet again to capture the crown as they currently having the longest streak in the semifinals placing every year since 2010. Tennessee's streak was broken last year. Jesica Ahlberg is Alabama's bet this year and she looks like a natural beauty who is expected to also do well and continue Alabama's streak. Alabama hasn't won the crown since 1967. South Carolina is another state that regularly does well at Miss USA. They have this year's tallest contestant who is the striking Christina Zapolski standing at six feet tall who is poised to continue South Carolina's regular strong showings at Miss USA but the Palmetto state hasn't captured the crown since 1994. California is sending a promising delegate with Cassandra Kunze who many say bears a strong resemblance to Natasha Allas who was Miss California Teen USA 1992 and Miss World USA 1999 and placed in the top 6 of Miss Teen USA 1992 and in the semifinals of Miss World 1999. California won the crown in 2011 and is the only state to win the crown in every decade except the 2000s but they came close placing as 1st runner up in 2005, 2006 and 2009 so perhaps California hopes to win another crown in this decade to make up for the lost one in the 2000s. Florida's Brittany Oldehoff is also another delegate that seems to be topping other people's lists so she is also one to watch. She did model during one season of the show 'Project Runway' and the Sunshine state has never officially won the crown although they did inherit it in 1967 after Sylvia Hitchcock won Miss Universe so Florida which has hosted several pageants in the past has yet to outright win the Miss USA crown.



The Shah of 'Sen'set

New Jersey's Emily Shah has already had some significant experience in the limelight. Being the daughter of Prashant Shah, who is a film producer for the internationally recognized Bollywood film industry, Emily has had opportunities to gain experience both in front of and behind the cameras doing everything from acting in various Bollywood films to working as the assistant to the stunt director on the set of 'Fast and Furious 7.' Emily is fluent in both Hindi and Gujurati and she hopes to star in action films. Even more notable is that Emily Shah has even met India's first Miss Universe herself, Sushmita Sen who won the crown in 1994. Pictured here is a young Emily with Sushmita Sen who has also appeared in multiple Bollywood films. Will her exotic background help Emily Shah get noticed in a big way at Miss USA and could she be following in Sushmita's footsteps? Another interesting parallel here is that Emily held the title of Miss T.E.E.N. California previously and crossed over to win Miss New Jersey USA which immediately reminded me of Alyssa Campanella who had the reverse scenario seeing how Alyssa held the title of Miss New Jersey Teen USA before crossing over to win Miss California USA 2011 and then Miss USA 2011 so could she even be following in Alyssa footsteps??



Rest in Peace, Monica Spear



2014 got off to a shaky start when the pageant world lost another Internet-era Venezuelan queen. Monica Spear, who won the coveted crown of Miss Venezuela in 2004 and placed as 4th runner up at Miss Universe 2005, was tragically killed on January 6, 2014 along with her ex-husband Thomas Henry Berry during an attempted robbery as they waited in their broken down vehicle. The two had one daughter, 5-year-old Maya who suffered a gunshot wound to her leg but young Maya survived the attack as her parents tragically died. My friend, Hernan who likes to point out patterns also drew patterns from this incident. Monica Spear was the Venezuelan queen who placed at Miss Universe 2005 in between two Miss Venezuelas that didn't place (2004 and 2006) and her daughter's name is Maya Berry. Miss Venezuela 1980, Maye Brandt has a very close name to young Maya and Maye Brandt also passed away too soon from an apparent suicide from a gunshot wound and Maye was the Miss Venezuela between two Venezuelan Miss Universes who won in 1979 and 1981 so there's an eerie parallel going on there as well. The tragic incident for Monica Spear occurred while the family was actually on vacation in Venezuela to unite for the sake of their daughter only to have the family broken apart in the worst way possible. Monica Spear became a popular actress in soap operas in Venezuela and her death seems to have fueled widespread protests in Venezuela for something to be done about the rampant crime in this country that is known worldwide as the leading international beauty pageant powerhouse. Unfortunately, Venezuela is now in turmoil with its citizens struggling to make ends meet while being concerned for their safety. It is interesting to note that Venezuela won Miss Universe in 2013 and my prediction to win Miss Universe 2013 was Ukraine which also happens to be a nation in turmoil currently. The death of Monica Spear follows the tragic death of another Miss Venezuela, Eva Ekvall (3rd runner up to Miss Universe 2001) who lost her battle with cancer passing away in December 2011. Will the dream of world peace ever become a reality?



Miss Latina USA becomes Miss Latina Universe

So this time last year, I mentioned the Miss Latina USA reality show but it was still a work in progress last year but now the wheels are in motion and with a new title, 'Miss Latina Universe'. The Telemundo network will be airing the reality competition featuring Latina contestants eliminated weekly through a series of competitions like we've seen on other networks but the rumor is that the winner of this competition may actually get to compete for Miss Universe but that remains to be seen at this stage and it is also unclear if there will be enough time for this year's winner to compete in this year's Miss Universe pageant. Also, apparently this year's Miss Universe pageant isn't going to be held in Fortaleza, Brazil after all. These days it seems to be difficult to secure a venue so there is still hope that the 20-year chain of the Philippines hosting could happen. The Philippines hosted the Miss Universe pageant in 1974 and 1994 so it's only logical that they host this year of 2014 to continue the 20-year chain so will we be singing 'Mabuhay' again this year? We'll soon find out.



A second round of prethoughts will be coming on May 31 where I do a quick runthrough of each delegate for Miss USA 2014. Then, two days after preliminaries, I will post my final predictions for Miss USA 2014.


Watch Miss USA 2014 on Sunday, June 8 on NBC!