Published on 2025-10-17T15:33:20Z, this feature draws attention to a fascinating piece of Miss USA history. It explores how, despite over seven decades of competition and countless remarkable contestants, not every state has had the privilege of seeing its representative crowned Miss USA. Readers are invited to share the story across platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Reddit, Bluesky, or WhatsApp, emphasizing both its cultural insight and human-interest appeal. Available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers, it underscores the allure and exclusivity of material that delves deeper into American pageantry and its enduring fascination.
Since its inception in 1952, the Miss USA pageant has stood as a hallmark of glamour, talent, and ambition, celebrating women who embody grace, intellect, and leadership. Yet, despite the event’s longevity—spanning more than seventy years—winning the national crown has proven elusive for a number of states. While powerhouse regions such as Texas, California, and Michigan have earned repeated victories, many others continue to vie for their first triumph. Currently, eighteen U.S. states have never taken home the title, among them Alaska, Colorado, Florida, and Oregon, as well as South Dakota, Maine, and Wyoming. This reveals the significant variation in each state’s pageant legacy and highlights how chance, timing, and representation often intertwine in defining competitive outcomes.
Alaska, for instance, has demonstrated remarkable progress yet has never conquered the national stage. Patricia Marlin’s second runner-up finish in 1964 remains its closest brush with victory. The state has managed to place four other times, most notably when Alyssa London achieved a top-10 finish in 2017—a moment that rekindled Alaska’s hopes and spotlighted its growing prominence in national representation.
Arizona shares a similarly complex history. Although it has never officially won the Miss USA title, Jineane Ford inherited the crown in 1980 after Miss USA Shawn Weatherly proceeded to claim the Miss Universe title, thereby elevating Ford’s status from first runner-up to national titleholder. Arizona’s contestants have consistently performed at a high level, achieving multiple semifinalist positions and several runner-up finishes. Its most recent success came in 2016 when Chelsea Myers secured a top-15 placement.
Colorado’s record illustrates resilience as well. The state’s strongest showings include two third runner-up finishes—first by Rhea Looney in 1963 and later by Jessica Hartman in 2010. After years without placing, Colorado regained momentum at the Miss USA 2024 pageant, where Jessi Kalambayi reentered the top 10, marking the state’s most notable achievement since 2012.
Delaware remains a special case as the last state in history to have ever placed in the competition. Its milestone came in 2015 when Renee Bull advanced to the top 11, an achievement that also earned her shared recognition as Miss Congeniality alongside Alaska’s Kimberly Agron. Though Delaware’s record is sparse, that singular accomplishment testified to perseverance and the lasting motivation that defines smaller or less represented delegations.
Florida’s history reveals moments of near victory. It assumed the Miss USA title in 1967 when Cheryl Patton, who had originally finished as second runner-up, inherited the crown following Miss Universe winner Sylvia Hitchcock’s departure and the first runner-up’s decision to decline the duties. Florida’s representatives have often reached high placements, including two first runner-ups and many semifinalists. Caroline Dixon’s top-20 result in 2023 continued that legacy. Moreover, several former Miss Florida winners later excelled in international competitions, with Madison Anderson and Ashley Cariño each achieving significant success under the Puerto Rican banner, even reaching the top ranks at Miss Universe.
Georgia’s journey has been marked by near misses and consistency. The closest instance of victory occurred in 1993 when Erin Nance secured first runner-up. Over the years, Georgian contestants have repeatedly approached the summit, finishing as second runner-up on six different occasions spanning three decades. Alyssa Beasley’s 2020 top-16 placement reaffirmed the state’s enduring presence within the competition.
Indiana’s record reflects similar persistence. Holli Rene Dennis nearly achieved the crown in 1981 as first runner-up, while other contestants have taken second or third runner-up honors in 1966, 2002, and 2020. Alexis Nicole Lete’s 2020 top-three placement demonstrated how Indiana continues to nurture strong contenders despite not yet finishing first.
Maine’s delegates have also come close. Katie Whittier’s 2010 fourth runner-up position remains its best result to date, followed by Marina Gray’s top-10 finish in 2018. In 2023, Juliana Morehouse made pageant history as the first married woman to compete at Miss USA, thus intertwining Maine’s pageant story with broader social evolution and inclusivity within the competition.
Maryland’s trajectory is particularly unique. Though Mary Leona Gage initially won the Miss USA title in 1957, she was soon disqualified after revelations emerged about her marital status and motherhood—circumstances that at the time disqualified contestants. Decades later, Maryland regained a symbolic victory when Nana Meriwether, originally first runner-up in 2012, officially assumed the crown following Olivia Culpo’s Miss Universe win. Most recently, Savena Mushinge reached the top 20 in 2023, continuing Maryland’s active participation.
Montana represents one of the earliest participants that no longer frequently appears at the forefront of competition. Its last placement dates back to 1958, when Sharon Tietjen reached the top 15—one of only three instances Montana has ever placed, all occurring before 1960. Nevertheless, such early achievements remain an enduring part of pageant heritage.
New Hampshire made its strongest showing in 2000 when Bridget Vezina became first runner-up, demonstrating the state’s potential to challenge national frontrunners. The state has placed five times overall, with Camila Sacco’s 2022 top-12 finish symbolizing a recent resurgence of competitive spirit.
New Jersey’s consistent excellence is evident through multiple brushings with the title. Charlotte Ray and Chhavi Verg reached first runner-up in 1991 and 2017, while other representatives captured second runner-up honors in 1989, 1990, and 2008. The state’s most recent recognition was in 2023, when Derby Chukwudi placed among the top 20 contestants.
North Dakota has twice nearly claimed national victory, producing two first runner-ups—Audra Mari in 2014 and Caitlyn Vogel in 2021. Vogel’s recent placement reinforced North Dakota’s growing influence and capacity to compete at the highest levels.
Oregon likewise has an accomplished lineage. Its crowning moment came close in 1976, when Gail Atchison was named second runner-up. Later performances in 1984, 2001, and 2004 again saw Oregon contestants break into the top 10, most recently continuing this upward trajectory in 2018 with Toneata Morgan’s top-15 finish.
South Dakota’s best result occurred in 2018 when Madison Nipe reached the top five—an unprecedented success for the state. Its dedication persisted into 2021, when Caroline Pettey earned a top-16 placement, demonstrating continued vitality within its local pageant community.
West Virginia has twice approached triumph: Ruth Parr was first runner-up in 1957, followed by Kelly Anderson in 1984. This proud tradition extended into modern competition, when Krystian Leonard reached the top 16 in 2022, representing both continuity and progress for the state’s delegates.
Wisconsin, another state still seeking its inaugural crown, has twice made deep runs at the Miss USA pageant—in 1974 and 2023. Mary Lynn Cook and Alexis Loomans each earned second runner-up placements, with Loomans most recently embodying Wisconsin’s latest stride toward victory.
Finally, Wyoming stands as one of the few states with minimal placements. Its top performance occurred in 1986 when Beth King reached the top 10, followed by Claire Schreiner’s 2010 top-15 placement. While limited in frequency, these milestones testify to the commitment and perseverance of contestants representing smaller populations.
Altogether, this record of eighteen states without a Miss USA crown encapsulates both the competitive diversity and historical nuance of the pageant’s cultural legacy. Each contestant’s journey—whether achieving second runner-up or simply gracing the national stage—adds to a shared American narrative that celebrates resilience, grace, and the enduring pursuit of excellence across every state line.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/states-that-never-won-miss-usa-pageant
