SECOND ROUND PRETHOUGHTS (November 2, 2020)


Preliminaries are on Friday, November 6 at 7 p.m. Pacific Standard Time being webcast on Miss USA social media channels or at www.missusa.com through a live YouTube stream when we will see all 51 contestants compete in swimsuit and gown and then the 2020 Miss USA pageant will air on FYI on Monday, November 9 at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time live from the Exhibition Centre and the Soundstage at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and Allie LaForce-Miss Teen USA 2005 will serve as hosts, while Cheslie Kryst-Miss USA 2019 and Christian Murphy will serve as backstage commentators. Haley Reinhart will perform. Spread the word and get people to watch Miss USA on FYI this year!

The ladies are arriving in Memphis! There is a top 16 this year which include the top 15 from the selection committee and a 16th spot for the winner of the Internet vote. The length of the pageant is still a 2 hour telecast as it was last year. A 3 hour telecast was done for 2014 to 2016. It seems like the IMG era of Miss USA which started in 2016 seems to have more emphasis on interview and unique accomplishments first before body or beauty and a lot of delegates have a background story so like always, surprises are to be expected. As always, this year is also extremely competitive so it's going to be difficult to predict who actually will make the final cut.



I will be posting my final predictions for Miss USA 2020 on November 8 but in the meantime, I will be posting my present thoughts on each delegate.

Alabama Kelly Hutchinson Alabama hasn't placed since 2016 when their long-running streak in the semifinals which ran from 2010 to 2016 was broken. Here we have another Kelly with a chance to bring them back. In 2018, Alabama's Hannah Brown did not place but would go on to compete on 'The Bachelor' and went to star as 'The Bachelorette' and she would go on to win her season of 'Dancing With the Stars.' As for Kelly, I do not have among my picks this year. Alabama has won the Miss USA crown only once back in 1967 with the late Sylvia Hitchcock who would go on to win Miss Universe that year. Alaska Hannah Carlile Alaska placed in 2017 among the top 10 which was their first time placing since 1990 but the northernmost state has never won the Miss USA crown. This year's candidate does look promising but I didn't see enough substance in her up-close video so she probably will not be among my picks. Arizona Yesenia Vidales Arizona inherited its only Miss USA crown in 1980 after Shawn Weatherly won Miss Universe and Arizona had placed 3 years in a row from 2014 to 2016 but hasn't placed since. This delegate is not expected to place. Arkansas Haley Pontius Quite the artist and experienced pageant veteran, Haley is currently in my top 5 at the moment as her overall look is very appealing and her speaking skills are strong so I am looking for an impressive showing from Haley. Arkansas has won the crown once in 1982 thanks to Terri Utley and they did place in the top 5 last year so let's see if Haley can match that placement and perhaps even go further! California Allyshia Gupta Allyshia is my winner so far as mentioned in my first round prethoughts. Her swan-like elegance and similar look to celebrity socialite Paris Hilton are one thing but she is accomplished as an entrepreneur with a compelling story of losing her brother in a motorcycle accident and studying in Europe and waiting several years to compete for a Miss USA state title after this UK born beauty became a naturalized US citizen so she has much to say about immigration and its benefits which is a hot topic currently and in spite of Allyshia's blonde hair and blue eyes, most would be surprised to learn that she is half Indian on her father's side and has the chance to be the first Miss USA of Indian descent. With 12 delegates competing this year that have previously competed at Miss California USA, it only makes sense that the actual winner of Miss California USA does extremely well! The most populated state in the nation had their streak in the semifinals from 2016 to 2018 broken last year so will Allyshia bring them back in a big way? California has won the Miss USA crown 6 times (1959, 1966, 1975, 1983, 1992 and 2011) once in each decade excluding the 2000s and now that we are in the 20s, will Allyshia get California's crown for this decade right away? Colorado Emily Demure Emily is more of an athletic type playing volleyball but after watching her up-close video, I'm not convinced that she has the speaking skills necessary to place. Colorado last placed in 2012 but they have never won the crown. Connecticut Chelsea Demby I may have her as a next tier delegate as I think she is strong facially and bodily but perhaps a bit more petite but she comes from a multiracial background so I'm just not completely sure about her. Connecticut won their only Miss USA crown in 2013 and last made the top 10 in 2016. Delaware Katie Guevarra Delaware placed for the first time ever in 2016 thanks to Renee Bull who made the top 10. Katie is not among my picks at the moment. District of Columbia Cierra Jackson DC made the semifinals last year after missing the cut in 2018 right after winning two consecutive Miss USA crowns in 2016 and 2017. Cierra also represented DC at Miss America 2017 going unplaced and I'm not expecting a placement at Miss USA either. The nation's capital has won the crown 4 times thanks to Kára McCullough in 2017, Deshauna Barber in 2016, Shauntay Hinton in 2002 and Bobbi Johnson in 1964. Florida Monique Evans Monique previously competed for Miss America 2015 as Miss Texas placing in the top 16 there and you don't win major state titles like Florida and Texas if you don't have something special so for that reason alone, Monique is among my top 16 picks. Monique is also tall, speaks well and has a unique look. Monique is expected to keep Florida's streak in the semifinals and place for a third year in a row. Surprisingly, the Sunshine state has yet to outright win Miss USA. Their 1967 titleholder, Cheryl Ann Patton was originally 2nd runner up that year but accepted the crown after Sylvia Hitchcock won Miss Universe 1967 and the 1st runner up from California did not accept the title. Is it time for the Sunshine state? Georgia Alyssa Beasley Yet another former Miss America contestant, Alyssa represented Georgia at Miss America 2018 placing among the top 12 there. Somehow, I'm not as sure that she will place at Miss USA so right now she is among my mid-tier delegates but could move up after preliminaries. Georgia has never won the crown even though they have several runners-up and they placed in the top 10 in 2018 and they seem to have a lot of alternating placements over the last decade. How will Alyssa do? Hawaii Samantha Neyland Samantha is one of my personal favorites so she is currently among my top 16 picks. The Aloha state last placed in 2019 and got a 1st runner up placement in 2016 thanks to Chelsea Hardin. Being biracial, Samantha is the first black Miss Hawaii USA as her father is African-American and she has travelled the world due to her father's military work. Samantha was also Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2013 and placed among the top 16 at Miss Teen USA 2013. Hawaii has won the Miss USA crown 4 times with their most recent winner also winning Miss Universe in 1997. Idaho Kim Layne Placements are rare for Idaho. Kim is studying to be a veterinarian and she also represented Idaho at Miss Teen USA 2012 going unplaced but she has a lot of supporters though being half-Filipina giving her a look similar to Catriona Gray-Miss Universe 2018 so it is possible that she could get the Internet vote. I don't quite see it but since others favor her heavily, I probably will have her as an alternate or an honorable mention. We'll see if she can change my mind after preliminaries. Idaho last placed in 2009 and inherited the crown in 1997. Illinois Olivia Pura Olivia is among my top 16 and she even reminds me of another Olivia... Olivia Culpo who won Miss USA and Miss Universe 2012. That fresh face and her overachiever status being passionate about STEM and art make her semifinalist material and she might even be the chosen one! Olivia previously placed among the top 15 at Miss Teen USA 2016 so we will see how well she does this time around. Illinois last placed in 2017 and they have captured the crown 4 times thanks to Myrna Hansen (1953), Marite Ozers (1963), Amanda Jones (1973) and Karen Morrison (1974). Indiana Alexis Lete Like Colorado's rep, Alexis is also a volleyball player and she seems bubbly but she is more among my mid-tier delegates. Indiana has never won the crown but they do have a 1st runner up with Holly Dennis in 1981 and their most recent placement was in 2014. Iowa Morgan Kofoid Iowa previously competed at Miss Teen USA 2013 going unplaced and I don't foresee a placement for this year's rep. Iowa did place last year and she made my predictions list after preliminaries which turned out to be a right decision so we shall see if something similar happens with another delegate this year. Carol Morris in 1956 won Iowa's only Miss USA crown and later also won Miss Universe that year. Kansas Hayden Brax Hayden is a cousin of Hope Driskill who represented Missouri at Miss USA 2011 placing in the top 16 that year and Hayden was cheering Hope on and now Hayden has her chance to compete on the Miss USA stage. Hayden actually reminds me a bit of Kristen Dalton-Miss USA 2009. However, she didn't come across to me as fully ready so she is not among my picks at the moment. Kansas last won the crown in 1991 thanks to Kelli McCarty and they last placed in 2019. Kentucky Lexie Iles I actually really like Lexie so she is among my top 16 picks. Not only does she have a great face and overall beauty but Lexie comes across as warm and sincere and as an interesting twist, she is an accountant! Kentucky won the crown once in 2006 and they placed in the top 11 in 2015 and stunning Lexie could very well be Kentucky's second Miss USA! Louisiana Mariah Clayton Mariah has 7 siblings and she could have a good interview as she seems to be quite outgoing but I'm not so sure about the body and so she is not among my picks at the moment. Louisiana has won the crown 3 times (1958, 1961, 1996) and last placed in the top 15 in 2019. Maine Julia Van Steenberghe Maine has never won the crown but they did have a 3 year streak placing from 2010 to 2012 and they did place in 2018. This delegate is not expected to place. Maryland Taelyr Robinson Taelyr is among my top 16 picks this year. This young lady has a strong overall look and a good story about once being homeless and losing her father and grandmother at a young age and having to help her mother dealing with alcoholism and also help raise her siblings. Taelyr is well-travelled and experienced as she has competed in several other state pageants prior to winning the Maryland title. Maryland's 5 year streak in the semifinals was unexpectedly broken in 2016 but they did come back and place in both 2018 and 2019 so they have placed in 7 of the last 9 years which is very impressive and Taelyr is expected to keep the streak going. Maryland won the crown in 1957 but that winner, Leona Gage, was dethroned shortly after her win when it was discovered that she was a married mother of two boys who also lied about her age. Maryland also inherited the crown in 2012 thanks to Nana Meriwether who was runner-up to Olivia Culpo who would go on to win the USA's 8th Miss Universe crown in 2012. Massachusetts Sabrina Victor As mentioned in my first round prethoughts, Sabrina has something special and she is in my top 5 currently. Her look might be deemed somewhat similar to the reigning Miss Universe, South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi but Sabrina is a star in her own right as a performer so will Miss Victor be Victorious and win a third Miss USA crown for her state?? Massachusetts has won the crown twice in 1998 and 2003 and last placed in 2018. Michigan Chanel Johnson This delegate is currently not among my picks but has potential to move up after preliminaries as she does have achievements as a probation officer being involved with criminal justice after her older sister was given a lengthy sentence as a non-violent first-time offender. Michigan won the crown 3 times (1990, 1993 and 2010) and last placed in 2018. Minnesota Taylor Fondie Taylor has that long, lean body so she is one to watch. I have her as an alternate at the moment with a probability of moving into my list after preliminaries. She is enthusiastic about sports and is a broadcast journalist as well as a cheerleader ambassador for the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota won its only crown in 1976 and they last placed in 2019. Mississippi Asya Branch Asya is one of my favorites competing this year with that stunning face so she is among my top 5 at the moment. She is first black Miss Mississippi USA and she also previously competed at Miss America 2018 and even if she mysteriously went unplaced there, she could have a stronger chance at Miss USA. Asya has a strong story about her father being arrested leading her to help raise her younger siblings and be instrumental in starting a program to reintegrate inmates back into society. Mississippi has never won the crown but they were 1st runner up in 2008 and last placed in 2010 and here we have Asya with a chance to bring Mississippi back in a big way! Missouri Megan Renee Kelly Megan is among my top 16 picks at the moment as she has a strong overall appearance and she also speaks very well so she has impressed me and her public relations expertise certainly seems to have given her appropriate experience. Missouri won its only Miss USA crown in 2004 and they last placed in 2017. Montana Merissa Underwood Merissa is one of the 12 ladies competing this year that also previously competed at Miss California USA. Merissa is a DJ and her vibrant personality could make her a surprise semifinalist so I have her as an honorable mention currently especially since Montana has not placed since way back in 1958. Will this be their year? Nebraska Megan Swanson Megan previously represented Nebraska at Miss America 2015 going unplaced there but she speaks well. I'm thinking she might be more of a next tier delegate. Nebraska won their first crown in 2018 thanks to Sarah Rose Summers but placements for Nebraska are usually rare. Nevada Victoria Olona There's no denying that Victoria does have an amazing body and overall look so she is among my top 5 at the moment. I hope she has developed her interview skills but she does have a strong platform combatting gun violence. Nevada won their only Miss USA crown in 2014 and they have placed in the top 5 for the last two years and Victoria certainly could repeat this feat for a third year in a row. New Hampshire Alyssa Fernandes Alyssa's look does remind me a lot of Julia Horta-Miss Brazil 2019. After watching her up close video, I think she's a decent delegate but probably won't make enough of an impact to place. New Hampshire has never won but they did pull off a 1st runner up placement in 2000 and last placed in 2004. New Jersey Gina Mellish Gina previously represented her state at Miss Teen USA 2016 going unplaced. She is focused on a career in fashion and public relations. I'm not so sure about her so I have her as an alternate currently but we will see if she can change my mind after preliminaries. New Jersey has never won the crown and they last placed in the top 10 in 2018. New Mexico Cecilia Rodriguez Cecilia is one of the delegates that have competed at Miss California USA and even competed for the Arizona 2020 crown before hopping to New Mexico to win that state title. Cecilia is quite tall and she teaches preschool. She has a story of losing her mother to breast cancer as a young age and prides herself in her Mexican heritage and being fluent in Spanish, she also teaches that language. I have her as an honorable mention at the moment but we'll see how she does in preliminaries. New Mexico did pull off a win in 1984 and they did place as 1st runner up last year so can Cecilia keep it going for the land of enchantment? New York Andreia Gibau Andreia previously represented the United States at Miss Earth 2017 placing in the top 16 that year so she has significant pageant experience. Andreia is one of the more exotic delegates this year being born in humble surroundings in Cape Verde in Africa. She speaks four languages and presents herself very well with a great body and distinct look so she is among my top 16 picks currently. New York has won 3 Miss USA crowns (1952, 1979, and 1999) and inherited one crown in 1995 and they last placed in 2017. North Carolina Jane Axhoj Jane is representing the state of the reigning Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst, so she has a lot of pressure on her but she is a strong successor especially since she previously placed as 2nd runner up at Miss Teen USA 2015. She teaches tap dance and is a University of Tennessee graduate and can even drive a forklift! I think Jane is a strong overall candidate so she is currently among my top 16 picks. North Carolina won their three Miss USA crowns in 2005, 2009 and 2019 so let's see if Jane can do it again for the Tarheel state. North Dakota Macy Christianson Macy previously represented her state at Miss America 2017 going unplaced. She has strong facial beauty but a chance for a placement is probably unlikely. North Dakota earned its highest placement in 2014 when they finished as 1st runner up and an interested factoid about North Dakota is that each of the 4 times that they placed in Miss USA history, each of those ladies also made the top 6 in their respective years of 1966, 1983, 1996, 2014 so when North Dakota places, they place strong. Ohio Sthephanie Miranda Ohio has won the Miss USA crown twice (1965 and 1981) and has a very famous 1st runner up with Oscar winning actress Halle Berry and Ohio last placed in 2019. Sthephanie is of Puerto Rican descent and she also sports both curly and straight hair similarly to the reigning Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst. She has a story about helping her grandmother who had Alzheimer's. I don't know that she quite has the achievements yet so I'm thinking I may have her as an honorable mention. Oklahoma Mariah Jane Davis Oklahoma last placed in the top 3 for 2019 and they won their first Miss USA crown in 2015 thanks to Olivia Jordan. Similarly to last year's Oklahoma representative, Triana Browne, Mariah prides herself in her Native American roots being of Choctaw descent. I see a lot of promise in this delegate so she is among my top 16 picks at the moment. Oregon Katerina Villegas Katerina does have two songs that recently charted in the top 20 of Billboard Dance charts. Oregon has never won the Miss USA crown but they have won Miss Teen USA three times but Oregon hasn't had much success at Miss USA. Oregon did place in 2018 but this year's delegate is not expected to place. Pennsylvania Victoria Piekut Pennsylvania won the crown in 1971 and last placed in 2019. This delegate is not expected to place. Rhode Island Jonét Nichelle She has strong headshots but I'm not sure about body and interview skills so I don't think this delegate will place this year. Rhode Island captured its first Miss USA crown in 2012 and of course that winner, Olivia Culpo, went on to win Miss Universe and the smallest state in the union also placed as 2nd runner up in 2015. South Carolina Hannah Jane Curry This delegate is not expected to place. South Carolina last placed in 2017 when they made the top 5 and they won the Miss USA 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. South Dakota Kalani Jorgensen South Dakota has pulled off rare placements recently making the top 5 in 2018 and the top 10 in 2016 and they had only placed twice before in 1958 and 1974. Kalani competed at Miss Teen USA 2012 going unplaced. She does have a fresh face and a unique point of interest as she does men's hair so I have her as a next tier delegate currently but we'll see if that changes after preliminaries. Tennessee Justice Enlow Justice is this year's host delegate so she is one to watch and she is also one of 12 delegates this year that previously competed at Miss California USA. She studied fashion merchandising and does have as story about having her studies interrupted due to suffering from endometriosis. I'm not entirely sure about her so I have her as an alternate currently. Tennessee has won the crown twice thanks to two phenomenal beauties, Lynnette Cole in 2000 who is also a judge this year and Rachel Smith in 2007 and the Volunteer state placed in the top 10 in 2018. Texas Taylor Kessler Texas, the most successful state at Miss USA, has won the crown 9 times. Taylor has a story about having a fractured spine due to being in a car accident in 2019. Texas is an alternate for me at the moment as others favor her but I don't really see it. Also, a placement for Texas hasn't been such a sure thing in recent years but they did make the top 15 in 2018. Utah Rachel Slawson Rachel has made headlines as being the first openly LGBTQ+ contestant competing for Miss USA but I think this might get a special segment during the telecast similarly to the first transgendered Miss Universe delegate, Spain's Angela Ponce who went unplaced at Miss Universe 2018. Utah inherited the crown in 1957 and won the crown in 1960 and that winner, Linda Bement, went on to win Miss Universe. Utah last placed in 2013. Vermont Shannah Weller 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 Susie Evans Susie previously competed at Miss Teen USA 2011 going unplaced but she has good visuals working as a performer in Tokyo Disneyland and learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I have her as an honorable mention at the moment but she could move into my list after preliminaries. Virginia won the crown twice back in 1969 and 1970 and had a 3 year streak from 2014 to 2016 but they haven't placed since so is it time for a return? Washington Imani Blackmon Imani is another former teen going unplaced at Miss Teen USA 2013 and she also has experience as a Disney performer. Currently, I have Imani has a next tier delegate. Washington won the crown in 1968 and but hasn't placed since 2004. West Virginia Charlotte Bellotte Charlotte actually impressed me in her up close video as she demonstrated how educated she is and an interest in politics so it was enough to put her in my top 16 at the moment so we will see if she stays there after preliminaries. West Virginia last placed in 2016 and has never won the crown. Their best placement was 1st runner up in 1984. Wisconsin Gabriella Deyi Gabriella is also one of the 12 delegates that previously competed at Miss California USA and she tried 7 times to win a Miss USA state title. She is a broadcast journalist and her father is from Africa and mother is from the Caribbean. I'm a bit on the fence with her sometimes putting her in my top 16 and sometimes as an alternate so I'm waiting until preliminaries to see where I place her in my list. Wisconsin has never won but they did place in the top 10 in 2014. Wyoming Lexi Revelli Lexi competed for her state title for 9 years and was a last-minute step-in originally placing as 1st runner up for her state title but when the original winner, Katie Bozner (who also previously competed at Miss California USA) resigned due to her academic obligations, Lexi found herself suddenly competing for Miss USA. Placements for Wyoming are extremely rare as they have only placed twice (1986 and 2010). This year's delegate is not expected to place.

Again, the preliminaries are on the evening of Friday, November 6 webcasted on www.missusa.com via social media channels and/or a YouTube stream. I will post my final predictions for Miss USA 2020 on November 8 and then November 9 is the night of the finals webcast online via Youtube or social media and airing on FYI at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time so we shall see who will be queen for 2020!



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FIRST ROUND PRETHOUGHTS (October 26, 2020)


Who will succeed Miss USA 2019, Cheslie Kryst of North Carolina and be crowned Miss USA 2020??



FYI (Fo' Reelz, Yo)

It’s that time again, folks! On November 9, the long-awaited, sexy (and remember, achievements are sexy in the IMG era) 69th Miss USA pageant is about to occur and the world is waiting to see which delegate’s accomplishments get us the most hot and bothered! Sadly, this is the second time in Miss USA history that the pageant will not be on a major network. This year’s broadcast which should be webcast on social media will have its television broadcast on a new channel, the FYI channel which actually isn’t available in all States and was even discontinued in Canada last year… Naturally, we are to expect a lower ratings level of 2015 proportions when a certain former-owner-turned-presidential-hopeful-turned-president made some comments which caused NBC to abruptly drop the 2015 Miss USA pageant from its schedule causing a last-minute scramble and hosts, judges, and entertainers also dropped out but a lesser-known channel called Reelz, which also isn’t available in all states, stepped up to broadcast the pageant. As a result, the 2015 Miss USA broadcast had the lowest television ratings in Miss USA history (or should I say herstory?) getting approximately 925,000 viewers. Ratings for every major event have been increasingly on the decline though in recent years with so many more viewing options winning the eyes of people compared to Miss USA in its heyday like in 1979 which saw the Miss USA pageant get its highest ratings in history - 38.1 million viewers. Shortly after the pageant airs on November 9, we will see if the 2020 Miss USA pageant garners more viewers than 2015 or if it sinks to a new television low. The Miss USA first started airing on CBS from 1965 (when Miss USA became a separate event from the Miss Universe pageant) until 2002, then NBC aired Miss USA from 2003 to 2014, Reelz aired Miss USA 2015 and finally, FOX aired Miss USA from 2016 to 2019. Last year, NBC picked up the rival Miss America pageant which leaves their previous broadcaster ABC pageant-less so perhaps ABC could be courted to broadcast the upcoming larger-scale Miss Universe pageant which will be held sometime in 2021. Yes, 2020 will be the third year that the Miss Universe pageant is actually held in the following year succeeding the 2014 and 2016 Miss Universe pageants which were both held in January of the following year but most suspect that the 2020 Miss Universe pageant will be much later than January 2021 but perhaps more in the first quarter of the year. What’s funny is that the Miss Universe winners of the 1950s all had postdated titles similarly to Miss America (i.e. Finland’s Armi Kuusela won her Miss Universe title in 1952 but at the time, she was named Miss Universe 1953) but the winners from the 1960s onward were given the title of that year and the winners of the ‘50s had their titles pushed back a year so in hindsight, maybe they should have kept it postdated?? Miss America 2020 was crowned in December 2019 so that pageant system has opted to skip 2020 entirely and crown their state winners and hold their national pageant in 2021. The Miss America winners of the pageants from 2006 to 2013 won their titles during that actual year and not the previous year. The Miss Teen USA pageant hasn’t been on television since 2007 and some are concerned that Miss USA might also go in that direction so we shall see if FYI will be a one-time thing similarly to 2015 and if a bigger network will pick up the pageant for 2021. This is also the third year in a row that the Miss Teen USA pageant is being held concurrently with the Miss USA pageant and Miss Teen USA will be webcast on November 7, two days before the new Miss USA is crowned.



Elvis is Living and He's in Amanda Pennekamp's Hotel Room!

This headline refers to something (that might have been deemed a smidge controversial) was said during the 2004 Miss USA pageant when first runner-up, South Carolina’s Amanda Pennekamp said that Elvis was living and that he was in her hotel room… She was referring to her teddy bear named Elvis, not Elvis Presley… but the teddy bear wasn’t alive and neither was Presley… Anyway, this year’s Miss USA pageant is being held on Elvis Presley’s estate in the Exhibition Centre and the Soundstage at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. The King of Rock and Roll left his estate to his only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, but I don’t expect her to make a surprise appearance. The last time the Miss USA pageant was held in Tennessee was back in 1983 when California’s Julie Hayek captured the crown in Knoxville wearing a sensational blue gown designed by the legendary Bob Mackie that she would use again to compete for the 1983 Miss Universe crown in St. Louis, Missouri where Julie finished as 1st runner up to New Zealand’s Lorraine Downes.
The hosts for the 2020 Miss USA pageant are: Allie LaForce-Miss Teen USA 2005 who is a successful sportscaster and has also c0-hosted Miss Teen USA in the past and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila who is also a sports commentator for shows like ‘American Ninja Warrior’ and former football player so we will see how he does in the pageant arena. Serving as special commentators will be: Christian Murphy, who appears on the FYI network and the reigning Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst who already has been working with ‘Extra’ as a correspondent interviewing numerous celebrities during her reign. It also should be noted here that Miss USA 2007, Tennessee’s Rachel Smith is a correspondent for ‘Entertainment Tonight’ so it is great to see our titleholders becoming so successful. The selection committee consists again of an all-female panel of judges and they include: Gloria Mayfield-Banks, Carolyn Aronson, Abby Hornacek, Susan Yara, Miss USA 1999-New York’s Kimberly Pressler and the long-awaited return of Miss USA 2000 and Tennessee’s first Miss USA-Lynnette Cole, who is one of my favorite winners and I’m glad to see her return as we haven’t seen her at Miss USA since she concluded her reign in 2001. This year’s special performer is Haley Reinhart who placed third for American Idol 2011.

There will be a top 16 this year for the first time since 2012 and the 16th semifinalist will be the winner of the online vote.



It's Been 84 Years


Okay, so maybe it hasn’t quite been a Titanic-level 84 years since we last had a Miss USA pageant... but it sure feels like it, doesn’t it? Well, there’s a reason for that, of course. After the Corona virus that originated in Wuhan, China in 2019 but managed to make its way around the world in March 2020 creating a dismal reality that most people living in modern times have never experienced before with the exception of the very few elderly people that survived previous pandemics like the Spanish flu of 1918. Social distancing and the lack of the ability to have most live events like concerts, plays and movies and various other forms of entertainment has turned the roaring 20s into the boring 20s or the rise of Corona virus cases may have turned it into the soaring 20s but hopefully an effective vaccine will be available soon and we can get back to some level of normalcy. As a result of the delay of the Miss USA pageant, not only is North Carolina’s Cheslie Kryst the oldest woman to win the Miss USA title winning the title just a few days after she turned 28 years of age, but now Cheslie comfortably also holds the distinction of being the longest reigning Miss USA, reigning for 18 months and 1 week from May 2, 2019 to November 9, 2020. The previous longest reigning Miss USA titleholders were: Miss USA 2014-Nevada’s Nia Sanchez who reigned for 13 months and 4 days from June 8, 2014 to July 12, 2015 which is just a day longer than Miss USA 2010-Michigan’s Rima Fakih who reigned for 13 months and 3 days from May 16, 2010 to June 19, 2011. In terms of the shortest Miss USA reigns excluding the eight Miss USAs that went on to win Miss Universe and the dethroned 1957 winner who only reigned for a few days, it was Christy Fichtner, Miss USA 1986, who had the shortest full-term reign as Miss USA as she reigned for just under 9 months from May 20, 1986 to February 17, 1987.



I Wish They All Could Be California Girls!
(And Most of Them Are!)


As we have seen in many years past, statehopping (and even countryhopping at Miss Universe) is a practice that is alive and well where one contestant will hop from state to state competing to win a state title to get to the national pageant. This year, we have a whopping 11 delegates that have all competed at Miss California USA! Naturally, we will start with Miss California USA herself, Allyshia Gupta, who also happens to be my winner so far. At first glance, one will immediately notice Allyshia’s striking resemblance to celebrity socialite heiress, Paris Hilton and… say it with me now… THAT’S HOT!!! Allyshia has a classy, regal, swan-like elegance that we have seen rewarded to titleholders of years past similar to Trinidad and Tobago’s Wendy Fitzwilliam-Miss Universe 1998 and India’s Yukta Mookhey-Miss World 1999. In fact, with her blonde hair and blue eyes, most people would be surprised to learn that Allyshia is actually half-Indian. Allyshia was born in the United Kingdom to a Caucasian-British mother and an Indian father and we have never had a Miss USA of Indian descent so will Allyshia finally be the first? But there is a lot more to Allyshia than a celebrity resemblance and in the IMG era of focusing on crowning accomplished, diverse young women with a story, Allyshia absolutely fits the bill. Allyshia arrived with her mother and brother to the United States after her mother left a toxic relationship and they originally settled in Florida and she wanted to be an equestrian so she could pursue a passion for horse-riding so they lived on a farm raising many animals and her mother became an entrepreneur inspiring Allyshia to start her own business at age 17 which she sold for a profit to a major chain retailer in the South East of the United States within two years. Tragically, Allyshia lost her older brother at age 15 due to a motorcycle accident but facing her fears, Allyshia went ahead and obtained a motorcycle licence of her own and this was her main method of transportation for college. Allyshia attended boarding school in Europe independently studying and obtaining advanced level qualifications with the highest honors in Philosophy of Religion and Science, Psychology and Business. She would later return to the United States attending Auburn University in Alabama where she earned a degree in Business Administration. She wanted to compete for Miss Florida USA at age 18 but she was told that since she wasn’t a naturalized citizen, that she could not so she had to wait 8 years to finish the process to become a naturalized U.S. citizen and signed up for Miss California USA and the rest is history! What a story this girl has! With her experience about immigration and inclusion being a hot topic right now, Allyshia has much to say about the value of immigrants and their contributions to society. Her patience, persistence and perseverance paid off and now will Allyshia win the big prize and be crowned Miss USA 2020? California has won Miss USA six times since its inception with a winner in each decade excluding the 2000s when California came very close by earning three 1st runner up placements (2005, 2006 and 2009) and now that we are in the 20s, Allyshia has a chance to continue this trend for the Golden State! California’s Miss USA crowns were won by: Terri Lynn Huntingdon (1959), Maria Remenyi (1966), Summer Bartholomew (1975), Julie Hayek (1983), Shannon Marketic (1992) and Alyssa Campanella (2011). Let’s also not forget that the last time Miss USA was held in Tennessee in 1983, California’s Julie Hayek won the Miss USA crown so can Allyshia do it in Tennessee again??
Now, let’s get to know the other 10 ladies this year representing other states but also previously competed at Miss California USA before winning their respective 2020 Miss USA state titles! Next, we have Colorado’s Emily Demure. Emily went unplaced at Miss California USA 2019 and she is a high-achieving volleyball player but is not considered a contender for the 2020 Miss USA title. Maryland’s Taelyr Robinson has not only competed at Miss California USA 2012 placing in the top 20, Miss California USA 2014 going unplaced and Miss California USA 2016 also finishing in the top 20 but she was also 2nd runner up at Miss New Hampshire USA 2018 and 4th runner up at Miss New York USA 2019 before finally winning the state title of Miss Maryland USA 2020! Taelyr is considered a contender working full time as a model for the last 10 years for various notable brands. She started an interactive museum collaborating with other artists after being inspired by other interactive museums in New York. Taelyr has a compelling story of losing her father at age 11 and her grandmother five months later and with her mother struggling with alcoholism, Taelyr had experienced homelessness but she also had to help raise her family and this gave her life skills and preparedness and being well-travelled shows how accomplished and experienced this woman is. Maryland inherited the 2012 Miss USA crown thanks to Nana Meriwether (who also competed at Miss California USA) after Rhode Island’s Olivia Culpo won Miss Universe 2012 but Maryland’s only official winner, Mary Leona Gage, in 1957 was dethroned shortly after winning her title when it was discovered that she was actually a married mother of two boys who also lied about her age. Could Maryland have a full-reigning titleholder with Taelyr?? Next we have Montana’s Merissa Underwood who placed among the top 20 at Miss California USA 2018 but went unplaced at Miss California USA 2016 and 2013. Merissa majors in political science and journalism and horseback rides competitively and she even works as a DJ in her spare time. Montana hasn’t placed at Miss USA since way back in 1958 if you can believe that so could Merissa bring Montana back in a big way?? Next we have Nevada’s Victoria Olona who was 2nd runner up at Miss California USA 2017 and is considered a top contender this year. Victoria loves extreme sports and has travelled to 18 countries. As a singer-songwriter, she is producing an album of her own and has performed in various musicals. As a survivor of gun violence, Victoria advocates for responsible gun ownership with legislation and regulation. Nevada’s only Miss USA, Nia Sanchez, who won the crown in 2014 had also competed in Miss California USA prior to winning the Nevada title. Next, we have New Mexico’s Cecilia Rodriguez who placed in the top 20 of Miss California USA 2018 but went unplaced at Miss California USA 2019, 2017 and 2015 and was also a semifinalist at Miss Arizona USA 2020 before hopping to win Miss New Mexico USA 2020 (Yes, there are new rules and ladies are allowed to compete for two state titles for the same year.) Cecilia teaches English and Spanish to preschoolers. New Mexico hasn’t won the crown since 1984 and placed as 1st runner up last year so we shall see if Cecilia can keep the streak going. By the way, three states currently hope to place 3 years in a row to start a streak in the semifinals and those states are: Nevada, Maryland and Florida which placed in 2018 and 2019 and also hope to place in 2020. Next, Oregon’s Katerina Villegas competed went unplaced at Miss California USA 2016 and 2015 and also tried for the Miss California Teen USA title going unplaced there also. Katerina is a recording artist with a few songs that charted in the top 20 on Billboard’s dance charts and she started her own record label called Beauty Queen Records. Oregon hasn’t had much success at Miss USA despite winning three Miss Teen USA titles but never a Miss USA title and they haven’t placed since 2018 so we’ll see if Katerina changes that this year. Next, this year’s host delegate, Tennessee’s Justice Enlow is also a California girl! Justice was a semifinalist at Miss California USA 2019 and 2018 but went unplaced at Miss California USA 2017. Justice is the Director of Media and Branding for multiple non-profit organizations. She also founded Justice for Women which is a non-profit women’s organization dedicated to expanding the modern definition of feminism. Justice graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2017 earning a degree in Merchandise Product Development. Next, we have Utah’s Rachel Slawson who went unplaced at Miss California USA 2018 but she has also competed several times for the Utah title placing as a semifinalist in 2019 and 2017 and going unplaced in Utah for 2015 and 2014. Rachel has been making the news by making history by openly coming out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community prior to competing for Miss USA. Although this is a unique historical story, I feel like Utah could be a special segment instead of a semifinalist during the pageant similarly to Miss Universe 2018 when Spain’s Angela Ponce had a special segment since she was the first transgendered contestant. There is also the possibility that it might not be deemed family-friendly and this factoid might not be mentioned at all during the telecast so we shall see what happens! Next we have Washington’s Imani Blackmon who went unplaced at Miss California USA 2017 but she was previously 2nd runner up to Miss Washington USA 2019 and you might remember Imani as Miss Washington Teen USA 2013 but went unplaced at Miss Teen USA 2013. One interesting factoid about Imani is that she works as a Disney performer and her parents wore matching-colored outfits to match Imani’s burgundy evening gown when she won Miss Washington USA! Washington hasn’t had much luck at Miss USA last winning the crown back in 1968 and not placing since 2004 so let’s see if Imani can change that. Next, Wisconsin’s Gabriella Deyi went unplaced at Miss California USA 2019, 2017, 2015, 2014 and 2012 so her persistence paid off. Gabriella currently works as a broadcast journalist but prior to that, she was working as a research scientist but decided to switch paths to find more contentment in her work. If you can believe it, there were almost 13 Miss USA 2020 delegates that had competed at Miss California USA but Wyoming’s Katie Bozner (who was unplaced at Miss California USA 2018 but top 20 for Miss California USA 2014, and even top 20 at Miss California Teen USA 2012) had to drop out of Miss USA 2020 as the scheduling of the pageant didn’t allow her to miss her classes as she is studying to be an optometrist and education comes first so Katie’s runner-up, Lexi Revelli, will now be representing Wyoming at Miss USA 2020 instead and this was just revealed on October 23 and the official announcement that Miss USA would be held on November 9 was officially revealed on August 31. Some suspect there may be more to the story but applying for a temporary leave from school or work can take some time so perhaps the delayed announcement was made in hopes that Katie would be granted the leave but COVID has changed the world so for now, Katie’s dream of competing on the Miss USA stage is on hold but she hasn’t aged out yet so there is a possibility that she could return in the future. Finally, in the next article, we will get to know Miss Hawaii USA 2020, Samantha Neyland (who was 2nd runner up at Miss California USA 2019)…



Hawaii Two-O


Samantha Neyland represents Hawaii and being half-African-American gives Samantha the distinction of being the first black Miss Hawaii USA. You might remember Samantha when she represented Hawaii at Miss Teen USA 2013 where she finished in the top 16 that year and she was also 2nd runner up at Miss California USA 2019. Another delegate who is very international and well-travelled, Samantha was born at the Fort Benning Army Base in Columbus, Georgia. Because of her father’s work with the military, Samantha has also lived in Spain and Japan. Having witnessed varied cultures throughout her formative years has enabled her to adapt quickly and readily to different environments and respecting and empathizing with individuals from various walks of life. She has worked as a model and actress and even has taken on a producer role for her own short films and starting a festival for these types of films. In many of her pictures, Samantha with her curly hair reminds me a lot of Susie Castillo, Miss USA 2003. Hawaii has captured the Miss USA crown four times thanks to Macel Wilson (1962), Tanya Wilson (1972), Judi Andersen (1978) and Brook Lee (1997) who went on to win Miss Universe that year also. Hawaii placed among the semifinalists last year so will Samantha give Hawaii a consecutive placement and possibly another win in the year Two-O?



Victor Victorious?

Sabrina Victor of Massachusetts is absolutely one of this year’s delegates to watch. With her distinct look reminiscent of the reigning Miss Universe, South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi, Sabrina’s styling seems to be what they are looking for in a potential titleholder. But is her look perhaps too similar to Zozibini’s? Let’s not forget that there were many years that Miss USA winners often looked like they could be Miss Teen USA’s big sister (i.e. Ashley Coleman-Miss Teen USA 1999 and Lynnette Cole-Miss USA 2000, Jillian Parry-Miss Teen USA 2000 and Kandace Krueger-Miss USA 2001, Marissa Whitley-Miss Teen USA 2001 and Shauntay Hinton-Miss USA 2002, etc.) so perhaps a trend will start where Miss USA could look like she could be the reigning Miss Universe’s sister? In any case, Sabrina is a fabulous contestant who recently earned bachelor degrees in Theater and Journalism, along with a Multicultural Theater Practice Certificate, and university honors and she believes that art is fundamental to human expression. Sabrina is of Haitian descent and she is very passionate about the fine arts and works as an actress and singer, even performing background vocals for Mariah Carey. She just has a glow and an appealing spunk about her so look for her to place very high on my final predictions list but will Sabrina Victor be Victorious and claim a third Miss USA crown for her state? Massachusetts has won two Miss USA crowns: in 1998 thanks to Shawnae Jebbia and in 2003 thanks to Susie Castillo and they last placed in the semifinals in 2018.



Heat of the Moment/Only Time Will Tell


Asya Branch of Mississippi is another one to keep an eye on this year. Asya is pronounced like the continent of Asia which is also the name of the band that had the top selling album of 1982 and their singles inspired this headline. Asya is the first black Miss Mississippi USA and with that gorgeous face, she is absolutely a contender for the Miss USA crown. Asya competed at Miss America 2019 also representing Mississippi and shockingly did not place there in the heat of the moment but only time will tell if Asya’s stint at Miss USA turns out to be far more successful! In terms of accomplishments, Asya attended summer school at Harvard University at the age of 17 and is currently studying at the University of Mississippi majoring in integrated marketing communications with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in general business. She owns her own cosmetic line called Branch Beauty demonstrating her entrepreneurial endeavors and this girl has quite the story to tell. As the sixth of eight siblings, Asya’s father was arrested and incarcerated for ten years and helped her now struggling single mother raise her younger siblings and suffered bullying due to a situation that was beyond her control. This led to her participation with government officials to help create the First Step Act helping to reintegrate the incarcerated back into society. Asya is also a very talented vocalist and in passionate about the arts and performing and she sings very well. Mississippi has never won the Miss USA crown but they came close in 2008 when Leah Laviano placed as 1st runner up to Texas’ Crystle Stewart and they haven’t placed since 2010 so will Asya bring the Magnolia state back to the semifinals in a big way and possibly get their first Miss USA win??



Pontius Palette


Haley Pontius of Arkansas is quite the artist be it through painting, drawing or even baking which can be an art form. This beauty is also an entrepreneur and has created a business called A Little Extra which specializes in kitchen supplies, home décor and gift items. Haley is an honors graduate from the University of Central Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and she can recite numerous of pi way beyond the 3.14 that most people know. Wise beyond her years, Haley started getting gray hairs at the age of 13 but she hides it well! She is also nicknamed sloth or turtle on occasion due to taking her time being thorough and meticulous in her work. Haley is also quite experienced in pageantry so this should help her in the competition. Arkansas finished in the top five last year thanks to Savannah Skidmore so could Haley possibly repeat this feat or possibly go even further and get a second Miss USA crown for the Natural state since Terri Utley won their first Miss USA title back in 1982?



Rest in Peace
Michele McDonald Boeke-Miss USA 1971

In a year full of death and despair, we have tragically lost another Miss USA titleholder. Michele McDonald Boeke won Pennsylvania’s only Miss USA crown so far in 1971 and Michele would go on to finish among the top 12 at Miss Universe 1971. As one of the youngest winners of the Miss USA title, winning at the age of 18, Michele even notably missed her senior prom to compete for the Miss USA title which was brought up during her interview with host Bob Barker during the pageant dressed as a baseball player for her state costume (State costumes were a thing at Miss USA back then up until about 1993) and that her date didn’t take anyone else to the senior prom and she thought he was with her family watching the pageant on television but missing her senior prom was all worth it in the end! At the time, Michele was attending Knoch High School and returned home shortly after to participate in her high school graduation arriving from the airport in a motorcade and I’m sure that this was a very proud moment for her to attend her graduation as Miss USA receiving the love from fans and dignitaries. Michele also visited then president, Richard Nixon, at his summer home in Key Biscayne in Florida the day after she won Miss USA. Michele praised Nixon in her final answer at Miss USA. Bob Barker asked the final question to her, “If you could sit down and have a conversation with anyone in the world, with whom would you choose to talk and what would you talk about?” Michele answered, “Well, I’d like to sit down and I’d like to talk with President Nixon because I think President Nixon is one of the greatest men there is and I’d like to talk to him about his work, and how his feelings are towards the United States and if the… if it’s hard for him (giggles).” Of course, Nixon would later resign in 1974 after almost certain impeachment due to his involvement with the Watergate scandal. Hindsight is 20/20 and 2020… Later at the 1971 Miss Universe pageant, Michele talked about actually meeting Nixon and said they didn’t talk about political matters at all but rather about travelling around the world and meeting people and that she planned to go back to Butler, Pennsylvania and become a nurse, which she did! Michele lived much of her life in Dayton, Ohio before relocating to Pennsylvania. Her partner of 37 years was Jeffrey Sturgill and she is survived by her three children: daughters Shauna and Michelle and son Chad and four grandchildren. Michele passed away peacefully at the age of 67 at the Orchards of Saxonburg Nursing Home from rejection after receiving a double lung transplant.
Rest in Peace, Michele McDonald Boeke-Miss USA 1971 (June 26, 1952-January 23, 2020).







On November 2, I will post a second round of prethoughts with comments on each of the 51 delegates competing for Miss USA 2020 and then after observing the preliminaries (being shown on missusa.com or their social media channels on November 6 at either 5 or 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time), I will post my final predictions on November 8 and then the big night is November 9 when the new Miss USA is selected. Who will be the chosen one?


Watch Miss USA 2020 on November 9 on FYI at 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time or on Miss USA social media channels!