The 74th annual Miss USA pageant shined bright on August 4, 2024. The event was held at the historic Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. This year’s event experienced a fundamental shift. To honor Chelsi Smith, a dearly departed, popular former Miss USA who fought liver cancer bravely until her death in 2018 at the age of 45, the Miss USA organization renamed the Miss Congeniality Award in her honor. While paying homage to pageant history, the ceremony focused on some of the realities and challenges that participants face today.
Alma Cooper, the Michigan delegate, made waves as she crowned herself the winner of Miss USA 2024. This was unexpected, as only earlier this year she had declared she would not be attending this year’s pageant. Just hours before the event, Cooper announced her “very, very hard decision” not to participate. This unexpected decision certainly turned heads and sparked conversation among fans and other competitors.
Unfortunately, the pageant’s recent seasons have been overshadowed by widespread resignations and disturbing mental health reports. Noelia Voigt, crowned Miss USA 2023, relinquished her title in May 2024, citing mental health concerns. In an emotionally charged Instagram post announcing her resignation, she described stepping down as a “very difficult decision.” The Miss USA organization did well to listen to her and validate her feelings.
Thematic co-host Olivia Jordan, Miss USA 2015, delivered a moving historic tribute during the ceremony in honor of Miss Universe 1994 Chelsi Smith. She referred to Smith as “one of the most iconic beauty queens in history,” emphasizing the enduring impact Smith had on the pageantry community. The renaming of the award comes in acknowledgement of Smith’s legacy and an effort to protect the mental health of contestants.
In her acceptance speech, Alma Cooper shared more about her journey and what winning this new title means to her.
“As I close this chapter, I do so with the knowledge that I finished what I started with integrity and my self-worth held high, just like the crown I was honored to wear,” – Alma Cooper.
The event featured Audrey Eckert, who was crowned Miss USA 2025, further celebrating the evolving landscape of beauty pageants while addressing critical issues like mental health.
The evening was full of unique performances, introductions into the crowning of new queens. More than anything, it celebrated the hardships and victories of historic and current competitors. The Miss USA organization has other, more questionable dynamics under control. It celebrates its deep-rooted history and is still dedicated to creating a nurturing atmosphere.
