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Miss Arizona USA is the beauty pageant that selects the representative for the state of Arizona in the Miss USA pageant, and the name of the title held by its winner. The pageant is directed by Casting Crown Productions.

Arizona's most successful placements were in 1965 and 1980, when Jane Nelson and Jineane Ford, respectively, placed as the first runner-up. Ford later became Miss USA 1980 after the original winner Shawn Weatherly was crowned Miss Universe 1980. Arizona's most recent placement was in 2016, when Chelsea Myers placed in the Top 15.

The longest reigning titleholder was Yesenia Vidales in 2020 at 1 year, 6 months and 5 days, while Cassidy Jo Jacks was the shortest reigning titleholder in 2021 ended her reign at 10 months and 19 days.

The current Miss Arizona USA is K Johnson Phoenix and was crowned at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert on May 26, 2024. Johnson will represent Arizona at Miss USA 2024.

Gallery of titleholders

• LeeAnne Locken, Miss Arizona USA 1989
• Courtney Barnas, Miss Arizona USA 2007
• Brittany Bell, Miss Arizona USA 2010
• Brittany Brannon, Miss Arizona USA 2011
• Erika Frantzve, Miss Arizona USA 2012
• Nicole Smith, Miss Arizona USA 2018

Results summary

Placements in Miss USA

• 1st Runners-Up: Jane Nelson (1965), Jineane Ford (1980)
• 2nd Runners-Up: Susanne Pottenger (1971), Diane Martin (1987), Alicia-Monique Blanco (2009)
• 3rd Runners-Up: Ruth Hayes (1969), Sherry Nix (1973)
• Top 10/11/12: Carlys Peterson (1974), Toni Abranovic (1977), Ana Rupert (1979), Cassie Hill (1981), Michelle Ducote (1985), Lee Anne Locken (1989), Maricarroll Verlinde (1991), Dannis Shephard (1992), Stacey Kole (1998)
• Top 15/16/20: Jerri Michaelson (1962), Diane McGarry (1963), Roxanne Neeley (1966), Judianne Magnusson (1967), Danielle Demski (2004), Brenna Sakas (2006), Brittany Brannon (2011), Jordan Wessel (2014), Maureen Montagne (2015), Chelsea Myers (2016)

Arizona holds a record of 26 placements at Miss USA.

Awards

• Miss Congeniality: Cara Jackson (1999)
• Miss Photogenic: Jineane Ford (1980), Brittany Brannon (2011)
• Best State Costume: Daria Sparling (1984), Michelle Ducote (1985), Maricarroll Verlinde (1991)

Winners

Color key

•   Winner
•   Runner-Up
•   Semifinalist

Notes

1. Ford originally placed as the first runner-up at Miss USA 1980, but inherited the crown after the original winner Shawn Weatherly was crowned Miss Universe 1980. The two titles cannot be held simultaneously.
2. Age at the time of the Miss USA pageant

References

1. ^ Gersema, Emily (2008-03-31). "Miss Arizona USA confident – Gilbert beauty says she'll win Vegas pageant". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
2. Willett, Johanna (2016-11-20). "Think you know the typical beauty queen? Tucson's Miss Arizona USA will make you think again". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
3. Sparks, Colleen (2008-12-10). "2 pageant winners share bond". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
4. Guyette, Trevor (2007-11-04). "Gilbert teacher will compete for Miss USA". East Valley Tribune. Archived from the original on 2007-06-24.
5. ^ Carroll, Doug (2004-01-03). "Broadcast beauty goes for top". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
6. ^ Beard, Betty (1999-08-28). "Beauty, talent radiate from city". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
7. "LeeAnne Locken exiting 'Actual Housewives of Dallas' to focus on philanthropy". 10 October 2020.
8. "It Wasn't All Hearts, Flowers being Miss Arizona-USA". Mohave Daily Miner. 1988-03-29.
9. "Tucsonan named Miss Arizona-USA". The Courier. 1984-03-19.
10. "Miss Arizona flies off with costume win". Lakeland Ledger. 1984-05-06.
11. ^ Williams, Steve (1983-04-04). "Miss USA seeker has no qualms". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
12. "Loses Title". The Bristol Daily Courier. 10 June 1965. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
13. "Beauty contestant". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. June 5, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved January 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Official Entry List Shows How Beauties Measure Up". Long Beach Press-Telegram. 18 July 1954. p. 22. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
15. "Miss Universe pageant Tableau of Beauty". Long Beach Press-Telegram. Long Beach, California. 12 July 1953. p. 7. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "Beauty entry skips meet". Arizona Republic. 25 June 1952. p. 7. Retrieved 12 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• Official website

• Miss USA state pageants
• Arizona culture
• Women in Arizona
• 1952 establishments in Arizona
• Recurring events established in 1952
• Annual events in Arizona
• Events in Phoenix, Arizona