It was no Miss Mystic Falls, but The CW still put on quite a show with its first-ever televised pageant, the 2023 Miss USA competition. (Spoilers ahead!)
Friday’s broadcast of the 72nd annual event, which marked its return to network television after several years on cable, welcomed 51 state title holders to Reno, Nevada’s Grand Sierra Resort.
Hosted by Keltie Knight and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, this year’s pageant featured an eclectic panel of judges: fashion designer Nicole Miller, actress Vivica A. Fox, model Emina Cunmulaj Nazarian and makeup mogul/influencer Patrick Starrr.
This year’s winner was handed her crown from reigning Miss USA Morgan Romano, who opened up on social media about the emotions surrounding this passing of the torch.
“The main thing that I will miss about this job is the people,” Romano wrote on Instagram just one day before crowning her successor. “I have connected with so many amazing people who have all left a piece of themself with me. Who I am has slowly been molded through each encounter that I have had this year. Something about the sash makes people open themselves up to you and share who they are and their story. I have learned more than I ever thought possible from the vulnerabilities of so many strangers who quickly taught me deep empathy, love, and understanding for everyone around me.”
FIFTH PLACE | Miss Texas USA, Lluvia Alzate
FOURTH PLACE | Miss Pennsylvania USA, Jasmine Daniels
THIRD PLACE | Miss Wisconsin USA, Alexis Loomans
SECOND PLACE | Miss Hawaii USA, Savannah Gankiewicz
By the rules of counting backwards, that left Miss Utah USA, Noelia Voigt standing alone to be crowned the new Miss USA.
Your thoughts on the outcome of this year’s ceremony? Who would you have chosen as the 2023 Miss USA? Whatever’s on your mind, drop it in a comment below.