Miss USA Pageant Concludes With 22-Year-Old Army Officer as Winner After Controversy-filled Months
Ms Cooper is a military intelligence officer who serves as a second lieutenant.
Following a period of unrest and dispute, Miss Michigan Alma Cooper was declared the victor of Miss USA on August 4, according to a report in the New York Post. Ms Cooper, a US Army officer, became the third individual to hold the title this year after the resignation of the pageant winner from 2023.
“As the offspring of a migrant laborer, a proud Afro Latina woman, and a officer of the United States Army, I am living the American dream,” she conveyed to judges during a question and answer session at the finale.
Having earned a master’s degree in data science from Stanford University, the 22-year-old triumphed over 50 other competitors in a competition that included swimsuit and evening gown segments. Connor Perry of Kentucky and Danika Christopherson of Oklahoma were ranked as the first and second runner-ups. Based on her social media profiles, Ms Cooper is a military intelligence officer who serves as a second lieutenant.
Ms Cooper was crowned live by Miss USA 2023, Hawaii’s Savannah Gankiewicz, who acquired the tiara in May following Utah’s Noelia Voigt’s controversial resignation.
“While this determination was not made lightly, I firmly believe that this opportunity was destined for me and I am prepared to make a positive impact with this organization that I cherish,” the 28-year-old was quoted as saying by CNN in May. She was crowned by the governor of Hawaii Josh Green at a ceremony in Honolulu.
“I am committed to taking action and making a difference. With my background as a certified mental health first aid responder and training in anti-bullying suicide prevention, I comprehend the significance of prioritizing your well-being and advocating for those in need. I trust that real change originates from within and I am resolute to lead by example and empower the class of 2024 and beyond,” Ms Gankiewicz added.
Meanwhile, Ms Voigt, who was crowned in September 2023, resigned on May 6 and disclosed the news in an Instagram post. “I understand this may come as a significant surprise to many. Never compromise your physical and mental well-being,” she wrote in the caption. Ms Voigt was crowned the 72nd Miss USA champion in Nevada in 2023. She was the first Venezuelan-American woman to win Miss USA, according to her statement.
Notably, as per AFP, the Miss USA competition has encountered numerous controversies and scandals in recent years, with multiple accusations of preferential treatment given to certain contestants.
Despite the organization eventually concluding that the accusations were baseless, Crystle Stewart, a former Miss USA champion, stepped down as president. After serving as the vice president of the organization, her husband Max Sebrechts departed amid a flurry of allegations of sexual harassment from previous participants. Cheslie Kryst, who was crowned Miss USA in 2019, passed away by suicide in early 2022.
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