There’s a radiant new Miss USA illuminating the national stage. Representing the Cornhusker State, Miss Nebraska, Audrey Eckert, has been officially crowned the winner of the 74th annual Miss USA pageant, which took place on Friday evening at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. The crowning moment was made even more symbolic as she received her sparkling new title from none other than the reigning Miss Universe, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, signifying both continuity and the global prestige of the competition.
The transition of leadership within the Miss USA organization also came with a note of grace and reflection. Alma Cooper, who held the Miss USA 2024 title, announced through an Instagram post earlier that day that she had chosen not to compete in the 2025 event. Despite her decision to step aside, the pageant honored her legacy and accomplishments during the finals, recognizing her contributions to the organization and the inspiration she offered to countless aspiring titleholders.
Eckert’s journey to the crown has been built upon both academic rigor and professional experience. According to her official Miss USA biography, she earned a degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska, where she was also a valued member of the spirited Husker cheer squad. Her background in business and athletics has seamlessly complemented her current career as a social media and marketing coordinator for the Thai fashion brand Sapahn, a role that reflects her modern, digital-savvy identity. At just twenty-three years old, Eckert now steps into an even broader spotlight, preparing to represent the United States at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant, scheduled for November.
This year’s Miss USA competition itself marked an evolution in both structure and philosophy. A total of 51 contestants—representing every state and the District of Columbia—vied for the crown. Over the course of the preliminary events held earlier in the week, they demonstrated their poise, personality, and dedication through the swimsuit, evening gown, and interview segments. Yet what truly distinguished this pageant from prior years was the implementation of a new philosophy of transparency introduced by CEO Thom Brodeur. In a move that redefined the judging process, Brodeur made the significant decision to eliminate the longstanding practice of using a selection committee to determine finalists, a reform aimed squarely at ensuring fairness and openness.
As Brodeur explained in a September interview with *Business Insider*, contestants had long entered the competition aware that the leadership team could influence the selection process—a policy clearly stated in their contracts. Historically, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA winners were chosen through a combination of scores and managerial discretion. However, Brodeur’s administration has moved away from this arrangement to establish a straightforward rule: only the judges’ evaluations will determine the outcome. The reform guarantees that every competitor, regardless of prior experience or affiliations, now competes on an entirely level playing field. This adjustment, according to Brodeur, restores trust in the process and exemplifies the organization’s commitment to merit-based achievement.
The prestigious judging panel for this transformative year reflected diversity in expertise and background. Among them were Nia Sanchez, Miss USA 2014 and television personality from *The Valley*; professional dancer Sasha Farber, known from *Dancing with the Stars*; former *Bachelor in Paradise* contestant Jade Roper Tolbert; model scout Hannah Edwards; and noted fashion designer Kenneth Barlis. Their combined perspectives brought a multifaceted understanding of talent, intelligence, and charisma to the competition.
Brodeur also reinstated a beloved tradition that had been suspended in recent years: the inclusion of substantive interview questions related to current events. Under former CEO Laylah Rose, such questions were excluded from the pageant, but Brodeur emphasized their importance in showcasing contestants’ intellect and awareness of global and societal issues. As he explained to *Business Insider*, the women competing for Miss USA embody not merely beauty and style, but also intellectual curiosity, public awareness, and the ability to articulate thoughtful opinions on topics of broad significance.
During the final round of questioning, contestants addressed subjects ranging from artificial intelligence and financial empowerment to societal progress. When Audrey Eckert was asked what she hoped future generations, a century from now, would say about the present era, she responded with thoughtful conviction. She described her generation as fundamentally adaptable—capable of growth, reinvention, and resilience amid rapid technological and cultural change. Drawing from her own professional experience, she explained that she works daily in digital media, educating over 500 student athletes on the importance of online safety. Navigating the complexities of digital life, she argued, requires adaptability—the same quality demanded of a Miss USA representative preparing to compete on the global Miss Universe stage. In her closing remarks, Eckert emphasized that the role requires both flexibility and an unshakable sense of leadership and pride in representing one’s country.
The new Miss USA’s victory also arrives at a pivotal moment for the organization itself. Since 2020, the Miss USA brand has faced a turbulent phase marked by controversies ranging from allegations of unfair judging and sexual harassment to leadership turnover, resignations, and even litigation. With Audrey Eckert’s coronation and Brodeur’s strategic reforms, the organization appears to be striving toward renewal and credibility. Eckert will soon embark on a journey to Thailand to participate in the Miss Universe 2025 competition, which will unfold over several weeks and culminate in the televised finals on November 21.
Upon her return, Brodeur stated that the newly crowned Miss USA will maintain an intensive travel and appearance schedule, aimed at revitalizing the pageant’s public image. His ambition, as he told *Business Insider*, is to reestablish Miss USA and Miss Teen USA as the epitome of American cultural ambassadors—women who embody aspiration, intelligence, and authenticity. With that vision in mind, the new era of Miss USA begins, heralding not only the reign of Audrey Eckert but also a reawakening of the pageant’s larger purpose. Indeed, a new queen has arrived, and with her, the dawn of transformation in one of America’s most storied competitions.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-usa-winner-miss-nebraska-audrey-eckert-2025-10
