Miss USA Contestants Address Common Misconceptions in Exclusive Interview

Miss USA Contestants Address Common Misconceptions in Exclusive Interview

The lights faded in Reno, Nevada, three days ago after Audrey Eckert of Nebraska took home the Miss USA 2025 crown on October 24. But even as the celebration wrapped, 51 fierce competitors stepped forward to debunk the tired tropes that have shadowed pageants for years. Forget the catty rivalries and airbrushed perfection peddled by TV—these women laid bare a realm of raw determination, deep connections, and real-world hustle that flips the script entirely.

Miss USA 2025 contestants greet fans and photographers with smiles and waves outside the venue.

Pageantry's Hidden Depths: Beyond the Spotlight

McKenzie Cole, the 19-year-old Miss Mississippi USA and the youngest competitor this year, has fielded the "pageant girl" label since she could walk. She flipped it into fuel, proving doubters wrong at every turn. "Pageantry is so much more than what people see on the surface," Cole shares with People. "I’m a driven young woman, passionate about making real change and inspiring others."

Skeptics once urged her to stay boxed in pageants, claiming the outside world would prove too tough. Cole, undeterred, headed to New York City at 17 for modeling gigs that shattered those limits. The competition handed her not just spotlights, but enduring friendships and a megaphone for advocacy. "The pageant world has given me lifelong friendships and a platform to use my voice for good," she adds.

Hannah Klein, Miss Ohio USA, echoes the depth at 33, armed with four degrees, modeling chops, and a cosplay flair. She shrugs off the chase for crowns and couture as the main draw. "It’s about purpose and impact, creating change, telling our stories and inspiring others to chase dreams that might scare them a little," Klein tells People. Her focus? Lifting women to own their narratives, one bold step after another.

Savannah Miles, Miss Georgia USA, injects warmth into the tale, calling out the myth of backstabbing foes under the runway lights. Reality hit different during rehearsals—high-fives over heel blisters, pep talks before panels. "Girls really do help each other, cheer each other and want the best for one another!" Miles exclaims to People. Though a single winner emerges, the squad swaps secrets on struts and self-care, forging a network that outlasts the finale. She clears up another frequent fumble too: Miss USA and Miss America run separate shops, each with its own playbook and priorities.

That unyielding drive shines through Issha Rose Mata, Miss Hawaii USA, fresh off her engagement and radiating island resolve. Mata clocked 20 hours a week on interview boot camps, dissecting feedback that tests every nerve. "It takes thick skin and a lot of willpower," she confides. Her regimen forged not surface shine, but steel-core poise ready for prime time.

Jenny Ting Crawford, Miss Idaho USA, a mom and maternal health champion back after a 13-year break, spotlights the unseen grind. Selected via open casting at 36, she dove into details like wardrobe wizardry that rivals a full production overhaul. "Perfecting wardrobe might be one of most time consuming and challenging parts of the preparation," Crawford revealed. Her tally hit 13 gown tweaks already, chasing that flawless drape under hot lights—proof that triumph here mirrors the marathon of any high-stakes arena.

Savannah Miles and McKenzie Cole share a moment on stage, highlighting friendship and camaraderie at Miss USA 2025.

The Dollars Behind the Drama: Pageantry as a High-Stakes Investment

Sparkle sells the dream, yet the true price tag pulls no punches. Stepping into Miss USA 2025 demands an outlay that routinely clears $15,000 for committed hopefuls, spanning custom gowns around $3,000 apiece to travel bites of $1,000 each way. Hourly coaching runs at least $50 a pop during those marathon sessions, while photos, state-specific outfits, and entry fees layer on more. Winners like Eckert score $50,000 in scholarships for education, but the rest self-fund, recasting the pursuit as a bold bet on self.

Think of it as bootstrapping your own brand launch—every dollar sunk seeds visibility that sprouts gigs in modeling, motivational talks, or brand tie-ins. The payoff? Media buzz and sponsor nods that juice future paychecks, turning initial spends into career catalysts. For the average enthusiast, this reality reshapes choices: skip the impulse buys on unneeded extras, or risk a hole that hampers bigger moves. Yet play it sharp, and returns roll in quick—many top placers triple their input within a year via fresh opportunities.

The smart move lands in proactive pitching: whip up a crisp sponsorship deck outlining your cause, follower count, and media mileage to lure local firms who claim it as marketing write-offs. Log costs against upsides by chatting with alumni on their debut deals post-stage. This shifts sequins from sinkhole to springboard, unlocking revenue streams that echo far beyond the bow.

Crown Jewels of Curiosity: Unpacking Miss USA 2025

What Are Some Common Misconceptions About Miss USA?

Outsiders often slot pageants as glamour-fueled grudge matches, heavy on rivalry and light on substance. In truth, they hammer home growth, with endless drills in speeches, charity angles, and poise under pressure. Miles nails the teamwork twist, where bonds beat beefs every time.

How Much Does It Cost to Compete in Miss USA?

Tally up $10,000 to $20,000 across the board, from $500 entry dues to $5,000-plus on attire, plus $800 airfare and $300 glam touches. Champions grab scholarships, but pros chase half via backers to stay afloat without strain.

What Is Their Net Worth in 2025?

Net Worth's among the 2025 class runs a wide gamut, from $50,000 to $500,000, tied to budding paths in modeling and causes. Eckert's triumph rockets her toward seven figures with incoming pacts, while most like Cole hover near $100,000, primed to swell via endorsements and invites that double holdings by 2026.