She's beauty and she's grace, she's officially Miss USA.
Miss USA crowned Miss Nebraska, Audrey Eckert, as its 2025 winner at Nevada's Grand Sierra Resort on Oct. 24, marking the state's second winner in the nationwide competition after Sarah Rose Summers triumphed in 2018.
Following her victory, Eckert will travel to Thailand in November to compete for the coveted title of Miss Universe 2025.
The 23-year-old beat out 50 other contestants representing each state for the title of Miss USA during the pageant, which was co-hosted by Emmanuel Acho and Olivia Jordan. She faced off against the other women in the state costume competition, preliminary competition and final round before judges Nia Sanchez, Jade Tolbert, Sasha Farber, Kenneth Barlis and Hannah Edwards gave her the highest overall score, earning her the coveted crown.
And while 73 other beauty contestants before her have worn the iconic tiara, there was one notable difference this year for the winner's ceremony.
Hours before the final round took place, Miss USA 2024 winner Alma Cooper revealed she would not be attending the final show to pass down the sash and crown as it's been done in previous years.
"After much consideration, I’ve made the extremely difficult decision not to attend this year’s Miss USA pageant and crowning ceremony," the former Miss Michigan wrote on Instagram Oct. 24. "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."
The decision came two days after Miss USA CEO and President Thom Brodeur shared that Cooper had not yet confirmed whether she would be attending the 2025 beauty pageant.
"Our dream was to warmly welcome Alma to participate in the 2025 competition in whatever capacity she was most comfortable," he wrote on Instagram Stories Oct. 22, per People. "Our invitation still stands and we hope to provide her the dignified end to her reign that she deserves."
And while Cooper may have ultimately opted out of returning to the stage, Brodeur insisted that it wouldn't affect her place in the pageant's history.
"We honor you, Alma," the CEO said. "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."
For a closer look into the pageant world, keep reading...
1. Age isn't just a number when it comes to the storied Miss America pageant, first launched as a type of swimsuit competition on New Jersey's Atlantic City boardwalk back in 1921. Hopefuls for the 2026 event must be no older than 28 on Sept. 30, 2026, and no younger than 18 on Sept. 1, 2026, the day before the preliminary events kick off.
2. As for those that would be exactly 18 years old when they'd slip into their evening gowns and, ideally, that winning tiara, they enjoy what's called a "pivot year" in which they decide if they'd rather compete in the Teen or the Miss division. (The age requirement for teens: They must be no younger than 14 on Sept. 1, 2026; no older than 18 on Sept. 30.)
However, once the teens have chosen their adventure, they cannot change divisions until the next application cycle.
3. There's a reason the words are, "There she is, Miss America!" Hopefuls cannot be married at the time of competition (though they can be divorced). They also must certify that they're not pregnant and have no children.
4. As for all those state titleholders, they must stay in their lanes, so to speak. In order to compete for a state title, delegates must provide proof that they've lived in the state at least 120 consecutive days before they took the stage.
Other options: Proving that they've worked in the state a minimum of 40 hours a week for at least 120 days or are enrolled full-time at one of the state's accredited colleges or universities.
5. They've got talent, yes they do. Because the contestant's 90-second performance in the talent portion—singing, instrumental performances and dance are among the most popular, though Miss Vermont 2015 Alayna Westcom provided a chemistry lesson and that year's winner Kira Kazantsev played the cups Pitch Perfect-style—counts for 20 percent of the scoring in each round.
Not a part of the tally: The swimsuit competition, which was washed away in 2018.
6. Contestants know how to keep score. In both the prelims and the final rounds, those coveting the crown are judged on their private interview (worth 30 percent of their total score), a fitness category (20 percent), the talent portion (another 20 percent), the evening wear portion (their 20 percent is tallied based on confidence and composure) and the stage question segment (worth 10 percent).