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    Every Rule That Miss USA Contestants Must Follow

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    Watch: Miss USA, Miss Teen USA Pageants Pulled From The CW One Week Before Airing

    Sure, heavy is the head that wears the crown and all that. But these days Miss USA pageant organizers are certainly feeling their share of the pressure. 

    Just six days before 51 pageant queen hopefuls were set to take the stage at Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts to compete for a yearlong six-figure contract and a chance to represent the United States in November’s Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico, The CW network announced they will not be airing the annual event Aug. 27. 

    Citing a “contractual issue with our production arrangements that could not be resolved within the necessary time frame” an Aug. 20 Instagram Story statement shared to Miss USA’s official account noted they “were unable to reach mutually agreeable terms for this year’s event.”

    Still, the show must go on, airing through the Queen Beauty Network, a subscription platform centered around beauty, fashion and pageants, for the second straight year. (Miss Teen USA also streamed on the service Aug. 26.)

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    Rules of the Miss America Pageant

    And this is just the latest instance of the organization’s less-than-pretty side peeking through. 

    Though Nebraska’s Audrey Eckert carried off her reign unscathed, two years ago, Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava provided a look behind the very polished curtain, announcing their separate decisions to step down from their respective roles. 

    Though Voight (citing mental health reasons) and Srivastava—who said her values were no longer aligned with the organization—weren’t allowed to speak out, their mothers made a joint appearance on Good Morning America that May. 

    Basically, Jackeline Voigt summed up, “The job of their dreams turned out to be a nightmare.” (In a statement to ABC News, The Miss USA Organization shared, “We are committed to fostering a healthy, communicative and supportive environment for all contestants, state titleholders, national titleholders and staff.”)

    Still, the gig remains a dream come true for plenty of others, who are willing to spend the necessary funds and time to claim the crown. 

    Before Eckert helps crown one of them, we’re participating in our own question-and-answer portion, detailing the rigorous rules each hopeful must abide by. 

    Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

    There Is No Longer an Age LimitYes, those eyeing Miss USA‘s sash and scepter must be at least 18 years old (younger pageant hopefuls can compete for Miss Teen USA). But organizers officially aged out the previous edict that wannabe queens can’t compete after 28.In fact, then-71-year-old Marissa Teijo set a record as the oldest person to compete for the title of Miss Texas USA in 2024.

    Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

    Moms and Divorcées Are Now Welcome as WellThough previous rules banned moms, married or divorced women, they’ve since made progressive strides down the runway.”You can be married, divorced, a mom, and you can compete at Miss USA and Miss Universe,” Miss USA 2023 Savannah Gankiewicz explained to People, noting she was hopeful the switch would feel more inclusive to those watching at home. “When they see a woman that looks like them or speaks like them they’ll feel inspired to do this as well.”
    But, Yes, You Do Need to Be a United States CitizenCounting America as your birthplace isn’t a requirement for those chasing the title. However, as the site states, you must be a U.S. citizen with a valid passport or the ability to apply for one ASAP. 

    Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

    You Have to Be a Permanent Resident of Your StateEven if you’re born in Alabama, you can technically compete in Alaska, Arizona or Arkansas. To chase a title in a particular state, you must have lived there for the previous three months, be a full-time student (having completed at least one school semester) or work full-time in the state. 

    Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images

    Both Transgender and Cisgender Women Are Eligible to CompeteYes, queen. Former Miss Nevada USA Kataluna Enriquez became the first openly transgender Miss USA contestant in 2021, nine years after the organization changed its rules to be more inclusive. Though she ultimately didn’t make the top 16, “it was an honor just to be able to represent my community and be an example for young queer children who now know they don’t need to be limited by society’s standards,” Enriquez told Yahoo Life of competing. While she was admittedly “shocked” not to move on, “It’s OK because we made an impact… and I received a lot of support and love on social media.”

    Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

    You Can Only Say Yes to Two DressesBest believe all the contestants are bejeweled. But they can choose just two evening gown looks—one for the preliminary contest and one for finals—to make the whole place shimmer. 

    Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

    Contestants Are Required to Pay Their Own WayCompeting at this level can cost a pretty penny. Gankiewicz told People she relied on donations from friends and family, sponsors and her own savings, noting that the average cost of an evening gown is upwards of $12,000. While she scored her look from the Philippines for “only $6,000,” she revealed, “even that was expensive for out of the country.” As for the price of beauty, she added, “You’re getting your nails done, your hair done, the gowns, the outfits, the appearances. So you have to work really hard to get that sponsorship.”

    Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for Miss USA

    Competing is a One and Done SituationAs Eminem once wisely rapped, you only get one shot. “Once you compete in one state and win that title, you can’t compete again,” Gankiewicz told People of the intense stakes. “So once you hit that Miss USA stage, this will be your last time.”That’s not the case in other countries, however, noted the title holder, who was awarded the distinction after the original winner Noelia Voigt resigned in May 2024.”That’s why girls who have dual citizenship, they go to their countries, which is so nice because you can go to Miss Universe Philippines numerous times until you win that country,” she explained. Gankiewicz remains hopeful that rule could change in the future: “Maybe I’ll come back in!”

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