A 25-year-old contestant from Connecticut won the title of Miss USA in Las Vegas on Sunday night.
Erin Brady of South Glastonbury, Conn., won the beauty pageant at the
Planet Hollywood hotel-casino after strutting in a white sparkly gown
and answering a question about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision
upholding widespread DNA tests. Asked if she agreed with the decision,
Brady said she did.
Brady gets the crown and a New York apartment for one year.
She is expected to spend her title reign on a nationwide speaking tour
and raising breast and ovarian cancer awareness, the organization's
official cause.
During the swimsuit competition, the ladies threw off sheer wraps to
reveal skimpy blue, gold and orange bikinis. They strutted in stilettos
to the Jonas Brothers' live performance of "Pom Poms."
The women also strutted to Calvin Harris' electronica-infused "Sweet
Nothing" in an array of spangled, flowing evening gowns. Trains, gauze
and long wavy hair were the preferred looks.
Unlike the rival Miss America pageant, Miss USA doesn't ask its queens to perform a talent or choose a charity mission.
The judge's panel included over-the-top fashion designer Betsey
Johnson, "Biggest Loser" star Bob Harper and "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell
Me" personality Mo Rocca.
Rocca praised the pageant as a prime example of Americana backstage.
He said he was looking to appoint a new Miss USA who reminded him of
Abraham Lincoln "without the beard."
The pageant aired live on NBC, hosted by Nick Jonas of the Jonas
Brothers pop act and Giuliana Rancic, co-anchor of "E! News." The Jonas
Brothers and DJ Pauly D were expected to perform.
The winner will represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant in the winter.
Last year's Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, won that international crown,
becoming the first Miss USA to ascend to Miss Universe in 16 years.
Meriwether, who had been first runner-up, took over for her for the
remainder of the year.
The Miss USA hopefuls stayed at the Planet Hollywood casino for the
past week, but the flashing slot machines and ubiquitous oversized
novelty drinks have been little more than a background to a stuffed
schedule of product tie-in media events, including hairdo contests and
paddleboat competitions.
The animal rights organization People For The Ethical Treatment Of
Animals is using the pageant to stage a protest of fur and the tradition
of awarding furs to winners of some state pageants.
PETA has made a provocative ad featuring four nude former Miss USA
winners. The tagline is: "Feel Beautiful in Your Own Skin, and Let
Animals Keep Theirs."
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