Miss Nebraska USA Sarah Rose Summers (center) is crowned Miss USA by Miss USA 2107 Kára McCollough at the 2018 MISS USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
The following is a press release from the Miss Universe Organization:
The Miss Universe Organization crowned Sarah Rose Summers as Miss USA 2018 on May 21 at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport–Bossier, Louisiana. The event featured women representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia and aired live on FOX.
Sarah Rose Summers graduated cum laude from Texas Christian University and recently finished her clinical rotations to become a certified Child Life Specialist. Through her work, Sarah supports medical teams in educating families about the diagnoses, procedures and treatments their children are experiencing. Additionally, Sarah works with the National Eating Disorders Association and is passionate about supporting others in creating a healthy relationship with food and fitness.
Miss USA was chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of female entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry experts – including former Miss USA contestants. This year’s committee included:
Jamie Kern Lima: Founder & CEO of IT Cosmetics, recently acquired by L’Oréal in its largest-ever acquisition, making Jamie the first female CEO in L’Oréal’s 100+ year history; named on Forbes Magazine’s 2017 Most Successful Self-Made Women List; Miss Washington USA 2000.
Crystle Stewart: Television host, model and actress; founder of MISS Academy (Manners, Image, Style, and Success), an organization committed to translating traditional values through pop culture; Miss USA 2008.
Lilliana Vazquez: Emmy® Award-winning host and producer, “Today” show contributor and style expert.
Denise White: Founder and CEO of EAG Sports Management, one of the most powerful and influential sports management and PR/crisis management firms of professional sports; Miss Oregon USA 1994.
Natasha Curry: Award-winning television hostand news anchor; Miss Washington USA 1998.
Paula M.Shugart: president of The Miss Universe Organization
Contestants competed in Swimsuit, Evening Gown, Final Question, Final Word and Final Look. And in a first for Miss USA, the Top 5 finalists wrote each of the Final Questions. The evening was hosted by Vanessa and Nick Lachey with competition insight from Carson Kressley and Lu Sierra. 98° and Lee Brice performed.
Final Results:
First Runner-Up: Miss North Carolina USA Caelynn Miller-Keyes
Second Runner-Up: Miss Nevada USA Carolina Urrea
Top Three: Miss Nebraska USA Sarah Rose Summers; Miss North Carolina USA Caelynn Miller-Keyes; Miss Nevada USA Carolina Urrea
Top Five: Miss Nevada USA Carolina Urrea; Miss Florida USA Génesis Dávila; Miss Nebraska USA Sarah Rose Summers; Miss North Carolina USA Caelynn Miller-Keyes; Miss South Dakota USA Madison Nipe
Top Ten: Miss California USA Kelley Johnson; Miss Maine USA Marina Gray; Miss Tennessee USA Alexandra Harper; Miss New Jersey Alexa Noone; Miss Nebraska USA Sarah Rose Summers; Miss North Carolina USA Caelynn Miller-Keyes; Miss Georgia USA Marianny Egurrola; Miss South Dakota USA Madison Nipe; Miss Nevada USA Carolina Urrea; Miss Florida USA Génesis Dávila
Top Fifteen: Miss South Dakota USA Madison Nipe; Miss Georgia USA Marianny Egurrola; Miss Maine USA Marina Gray; Miss Texas USA Logan Lester; Miss New Jersey USA Alexa Noone; Miss Nebraska USA Sarah Rose Summers; Miss Florida USA Génesis Dávila; Miss Nevada USA Carolina Urrea; Miss Massachusetts USA Alissa Latham; Miss Maryland USA Brittany Nicolette; Miss Tennessee USA Alexandra Harper; Miss Oregon USA Toneata Morgan; Miss North Carolina USA Caelynn Miller-Keyes; Miss Michigan USA Elizabeth Johnson; Miss California USA Kelley Johnson.
Sarah will reside in New York City while she fulfills her duties as Miss USA for the year. In addition to an apartment in Manhattan, a salary, and personal and professional opportunities, Sarah will also receive a new Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport.
The Miss Universe Organization The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is a global community that empowers women to realize their goals through experiences that build self-confidence and create opportunities for success. MUO believes that every woman should be “Confidently Beautiful.” MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA®, and MISS TEEN USA® programs provide the 10,000 women who participate annually an international platform to affect positive change through influential humanitarian and professional efforts. The contestants and titleholders are leaders and role models in their communities, develop personal and professional goals, and inspire others to do the same. The Miss Universe Organization is an Endeavor company. To learn more, visit www.missuniverse.com.
About Endeavor Endeavor (formerly WME | IMG) is a global leader in sports, entertainment and fashion operating in more than 30 countries. Named one of Fortune’s 25 Most Important Private Companies, Endeavor is comprised of a number of industry-leading companies including WME, IMG and UFC. The Endeavor network specializes in talent representation and management; brand marketing, sponsorship and licensing; media sales and distribution; event operation and management; and sports training and league development.
Final Three contestants Miss Nebraska USA Sarah Rose Summers, Miss North Carolina USA Caelynn Miller-Keyes and Miss Nevada USA Carolina Urrea at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss USA 2018 hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Lee Brice at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Lee Brice at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss USA 2018 contestants at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss Nebraska USA Sarah Rose Summers at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss Maine USA Marina Gray at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss Nebraska USA Sarah Rose Summers at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss Tennessee USA Alexandra Harper at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss North Carolina USA Caelynn Miller-Keyes at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss South Dakota USA 2018 Madison Nipe at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss North Carolina USA Caelynn Miller-Keyes at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss District of Columbia Bruce Armstrong at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss Florida USA Génesis Dávila at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss California USA Kelley Johnson at the 2018 Miss USA Competition at at George’s Pond, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, on May 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Neira/Fox)
Miss District of Colombia Kára McCullough wins the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Kára McCollough, a 25-year-old scientist at the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, was crowned the winner of Miss USA 2017 in a ceremony held on May 14 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. McCollough’s victory makes it the second year in a row that Miss District of Columbia has won the Miss USA title. McCollough replaces 2016 Miss USA Deshauna Barber.
Coming in second place in the Miss USA 2017 competition was Chhavi Verg, Miss New Jersey. Third place went to Meredith Gould, Miss Minnesota.
Fox had the U.S. telecast of the show, which was hosted by Terrence J and Julianne Hough. Ashley Graham served as backstage host.
The judges were TV personality Carson Kressley, “The Real” co-host Jeannie Mai, former Miss Minnesota contestant Halima Aden, transgender activist/author Janet Mock, Crisis Text Line founder Nancy Lublin and Miss Universe 1997 Brooke Lee. Rap artist Pitbull featuring Stephen “Skip” Marley and country singer Brett Aldredge were the event’s musical performers.
It was clear that McCollough was one of the early frontrunners, since she was prominently featured in promo videos for the pageant. During the telecast, the announcer also mentioned that she was considered one of the smartest USA contestants to be in the pageant. McCollough mentioned several times in interviews and on stage that one of her main goals was to encourage more female participation in science.
In the question portion of the pageant, McCollough was asked, “Do you think affordable health care for all U.S. citizens is a right or a privilege and why?” She answered that it was a privilege. “As a government employee, I am granted healthcare. And I see firsthand that for one to have healthcare, you need to have jobs. So therefore, we we need to continue cultivate this environment that we’re given the opportunity to have jobs as well as healthcare for all American citizens worldwide.”
Top 10 Miss USA 2017 Contestants
Kára McCollough, Miss District of Columbia USA (winner)
Chhavi Verg, Miss New Jersey USA (second place)
Meridith Gould, Miss Minnesota USA (third place)
Whitney Wandland, Miss Illinois USA (Top 5 contestant)
Megan Gordon, Miss South Carolina USA (Top 5 contestant)
Allee-Sutton Hethcoat, Miss Tennessee USA
Hannah Lopa, Miss New York USA
India Williams, Miss California USA
Alyssa London, Miss Alaska USA
Bayleigh Dayton, Miss Missouri USA
Pitbull performs at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 Kára McCullough backstage at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
The Top 5 contestants of the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss District of Colombia Kára McCullough at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Brett Aldredge with the Top 5 contestants of the 2016 Miss USA pageant at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss District of Colombia Kára McCullough at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2016 co-host Julianne Hough and Top 10 contestant India Williams (Miss California) at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 co-host Terrence J and Top 10 contestant Miss Tennessee Allee-Sutton Hethcoat at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2016 co-host Julianne Hough and Top 10 contestant Bayleigh Dayton (Miss Missouri) at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Top 10 contestant Miss Tennessee Allee-Sutton Hethcoat at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Top 10 contestant Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Top 10 contestants Miss New Jersey Chavi Verg and Miss Minnesota Meridith Gould at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA co-host Terrence J and Top 10 contestant Miss New Jersey Chavi Verg at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Top 10 contestant Miss California India Williams at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 co-host Julianne Hough and Top 10 contestant Miss Minnesota Meridith Gould at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
The Top 10 contestants at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 judges Brook Lee, Jeannie Mai and Halima Aden at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 judges Nancy Lublin, Janet Mock and Carson Kressley at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
The Top 10 contestants at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 backstage host Ashley Graham at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton and Miss South Carolina Megan Gordon at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss Minnesota Meridith Gould and Miss Iowa Kelsey Weier at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss Wisconsin Skylar Witte, Miss California India Williams and Miss Connecticut Olga Litvinenko at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss Pennsylvania Cassandra Angst and Miss New York Hannah Lopa at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss Universe 2015 Iris Mittenaere, Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber and Miss Teen USA 2016 Karlie Hay at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 backstage host Ashley Graham, host Terrence J and host Julianne Hough at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 performer Stephen Marley at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 judge Nancy Lublin at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 judge Carson Kressley at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 judge Halima Aden at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss USA 2017 judge Jeannie Mai at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss District of Colombia Kára McCullough (left) wins the 2017 Miss USA competition and is congratulated by Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss District of Colombia Kára McCullough wins the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss District of Colombia Kára McCullough wins the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss District of Colombia Kára McCullough wins the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss District of Colombia Kára McCullough wins the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss District of Colombia Kára McCullough (right) wins the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss District of Colombia, Kára McCullough wins the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss New Jersey Chavi Verg and Miss District of Colombia Kára McCullough wait to hear who won at the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
Miss District of Colombia Kára McCullough wins the 2017 Miss USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox)
The Top 5 contestants at the 2017 MISS USA competition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on, May 14, 2017. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox).
