MISS TEXAS USA CROWNED MISS USA
Source: NBC Entertainment
Apr 13, 2008 - 8:19:44 AM
Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008 poses at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign after winning the title of Miss USA 2008 . PHOTO CREDIT: Patrick Prather
Las Vegas, NV - April 11, 2008 – This evening, during one of the year's most
exciting live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss Texas
USA, Crystle Stewart, as MISS USA® 2008. Donny and Marie Osmond hosted the 57th
Annual MISS USA Pageant from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in one of
the world's most electrifying cities, Las Vegas.
Ms. Stewart completed
her degree in Consumer Science and Merchandising at the University of Houston.
She founded and runs her business "Inside/Out" which aids young women in
building self-esteem and volunteers with many organizations in the community.
She won a silver medal in the relay at Jr. Olympics and is a fourth generation
educator.
The judging panel for the 2008 Miss USA® Pageant included:
Heather Mills, contestant on season four of "Dancing With the Stars"; Rob
Schneider, star of "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry"; Joey Fatone, host of
"The Singing Bee"; Kristian Alfonso, entrepreneur and star of NBC's "Days of our
Lives"; Olympic gold-medal swimmer Amanda Beard; Christian Siriano, this
season's winner of Bravo's hit show "Project Runway"; San Diego Chargers
linebacker Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman; celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves; Kelly
Carlson, star of "Nip/Tuck"; founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood International,
Inc. Robert Earl and Vanity Fair's celebrity journalist George Wayne.
Throughout the two-hour event, the contestants competed in three
categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. During these competitions, the
"Top Five" finalists were selected before the crowning.
Rachel Smith, MISS
USA 2007, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime
telecast, where rock band Finger Eleven performed their hit song "Paralyzer"
before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 250 million.
Final Results:
First Runner Up: Miss Mississippi USA, Leah
Laviano will assume the duties of MISS USA 2008 if the titleholder is named MISS
UNIVERSE 2008 or for some reason cannot fulfill her duties.
Second
Runner Up: Miss New Jersey USA, Tiffany Andrade
Rest of Top Five:
Miss Pennsylvania USA, LauRen Merola
Miss Oklahoma USA, Lindsey Jo
Harrington
Rest of Top Ten:
Miss Massachusetts USA, Jackie
Bruno
Miss Missouri USA, Candice Crawford
Miss Tennessee USA, Hailey
Laine Brown
Miss Indiana USA, Brittany Mason
Miss Florida USA, Jessica
Rafalowski
Rest of Top Fifteen:
Miss Minnesota USA, Kaylee
Unverzagt
Miss Rhode Island USA, Amy Diaz
Miss South Carolina USA, Jamie
Hill
Miss California USA, Raquel Roxanne Beezley
Miss Utah USA, Julia
Bachison
MISS PHOTOGENIC USA™ "Hot Shots" Award: Miss Alaska USA,
Courtney Erin Carroll. The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate
who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000
cash prize.
MISS CONGENIALITY USA™ Award: Miss Ohio USA, Monica Day was
awarded a $1,000 cash award. The award reflects the respect and admiration of
the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and
inspirational participant. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize.
The MISS
USA® 2008 prize package includes: the official Miss USA Mikimoto pearl tiara; 2
Year Scholarship from The New York Film Academy; custom evening wear wardrobe by
Scala, designed by Sherri Hill; national multi-media advertising campaign and a
complete denim wardrobe from YMI Jeanswear; a 4 day / 3 night all-inclusive
vacation at any of the 28 Westgate Resorts located in the U.S. including the
Planet Hollywood Towers in Las Vegas; make-up from Kett Cosmetics; shoe wardrobe
from Nina Footwear; year supply of hair care products and tools from Farouk
Systems; swimsuit wardrobe from Syrup Swimwear; a New York City apartment for
the year of her reign, including living expenses; personal appearance wardrobe
and stylist consultation throughout her reign and the opportunity to represent
the USA at the 2008 Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam.
The MISS
UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC
Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure,
the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing awareness of breast
and ovarian cancers. By forging relationships with organizations committed to
research and education, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Gilda's Club,
Miss USA is armed to educate women today.
