Miss USA 2024 Skips 2025 Pageant, Won’t Crown New Winner
There’s more upheaval at Miss USA.
In a shock move, Miss USA 2024 has revealed that she is skipping the 2025 pageant. On October 24, Alma Cooper confirmed she wouldn’t be on hand to crown her successor at the event in Reno, Nevada. She made the announcement just hours before the pageant finals were set to begin at 8 p.m. ET.
Miss USA 2024 makes ‘difficult decision’ not to attend 2025 pageant
“After much consideration, I’ve made the extremely difficult decision not to attend this year’s Miss USA pageant and crowning ceremony,” Cooper wrote on Instagram on Friday. “As I close this chapter, I do so with the knowledge that I finished what I started with integrity and my self-worth held high, just like the crown I was honored to wear.”
In an essay for People, Cooper opened up about her reign as Miss USA. While she said she was honored to have been crowned, she also struggled under the weight of her new role.
“As the first active-duty Army officer to win Miss USA, I felt a responsibility as a role model for others, and I refused to let anyone down,” she wrote. “Still, the pressure of working under such harsh circumstances while staring down the fast-approaching Miss Universe competition, where I’d face women competing with the full support of their countries, I became a shell of my former self.”
Cooper eventually found purpose in working as an Army recruiter. “As I traveled coast to coast … I continued to find hope in the human spirit,” she wrote.
Miss USA CEO addresses Alma Cooper’s role at 2025 pageant
A few days before the pageant, new Miss USA CEO Thom Brodeur acknowledged that Cooper’s attendance at this year’s event was up in the air.
“Our office has been in touch with Alma and her representative since the day we announced taking over Miss USA as the new leadership team,” he wrote on his Instagram Story (via People). “Our dream was to warmly welcome Alma to participate in the 2025 competition in whatever capacity she was most comfortable.”
“[O]ur invitation still stands and we hope to provide her the dignified end to her reign that she deserves,” he continued.
Brodeur went on to praise Cooper’s service during her year as Miss USA.
“We honor you, Alma,” he wrote. “You are a queen. You are our queen even if we didn’t start this journey with you. And, you are forever our Miss USA 2024.”
Miss USA pageant has face multiple controversies over the years
Cooper’s decision to skip this year’s Miss USA contest comes after a difficult few years for the pageant. In May 2024, the reigning Miss USA and Miss Teen USA both resigned, alleging that they faced a toxic work environment and that sexual harassment complaints were ignored. A few years earlier, multiple contestants alleged that they’d been sexually harassed by Miss USA vice presidents Max Sebrechts, who was married to then-CEO Crystle Stewart.
In 2022, there were allegations that the pageant had been rigged in favor of R’Bonney Gabriel, who went on to be crowned Miss Universe. Earlier that year, 2019 Miss USA winner Cheslie Kryst died by suicide.
For more news and exclusive interviews, follow Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram.
