Alma Cooper, a U.S. Army officer from Michigan, was crowned Miss USA on Sunday. Cooper is the third person to be crowned this year’s Miss USA, following the surprise withdrawal of the 2023 winner.
ABC 7 Chicago Reports The 22-year-old, who has a master’s degree in data science from Stanford University, beat out 50 other contestants from around the country in a competition that included swimsuit and evening gown competitions.
Kentucky’s Connor Perry and Oklahoma’s Danica Christofferson were selected first and second, respectively.
Miss Maryland USA, Bailee Ann Kennedy, who competed as a transgender woman, did not place in the top 20 at the national competition.
As Breitbart News reported, Kennedy, who is biologically male but identifies as female, was a regional winner and is the first military wife to compete at the national competition.
Kennedy added that receiving the award “will open doors and hearts for people to know that there are many sides to the LGBT community. I hope that I can make a positive contribution to society by making a difference like the USO program I’m working on.”
This isn’t the first time a transgender contestant has competed in the Miss USA pageant: Cataluna Henriquez was crowned Miss Nevada USA 2021, Breitbart News reported.
The winner of the Miss USA pageant will compete in the Miss Universe competition in Mexico on September 28th.
