New Miss USA crowned, capping tumultuous year of pageant controversy

Michigan’s Alma Cooper, a US Army officer, was crowned Miss USA 2024 at the 73rd annual pageant held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Cooper, who holds a Master’s in data science from Stanford University, became the third person to hold the title this year following the resignation of 2023’s winner. During the pageant, Cooper emphasized her journey as the daughter of a migrant worker and a proud Afro-Latina woman, embodying the American dream.

The event concluded a tumultuous year for the pageant, marked by the resignations of former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava amid allegations of poor management and harassment. Voigt cited mental health reasons for her resignation, hinting at a toxic environment, while Srivastava attributed her departure to a clash of personal values with the organization.

The pageant, hosted by Garcelle Beauvais and Keltie Knight, featured groundbreaking changes, including the removal of the age restriction for contestants over 28. Maryland’s Bailey Anne Kennedy became the first transgender contestant from her state, and Shavana Clarke of Connecticut was the first openly lesbian state titleholder to compete. The Miss Teen USA title was awarded to Addie Carver of Mississippi, who has been an advocate for young people’s mental health.