Crowned & Controversial: A Weekend of Pageant Drama in Nevada

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The Reality Times
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A group of beauty queens posing in elegant gowns and crowns at a pageant event.


Crowned & Controversial: A Weekend of Pageant Drama in Nevada

Crowned

This week in Reno, Nevada, the 2025 editions of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA took the stage at the glamorous Grand Sierra Resort, bringing both sparkle and storylines that were deeper than the sequins. The Miss USA pageant, held on October 24, 2025, marked the 74th edition of the competition. The Teen version wrapped up the day before, on October 23.

Children wearing helmets sliding down a paved path on wooden sleds.

In the Miss USA category, 51 contestants vied for the crown, and in the end, it was Audrey Eckert of Nebraska who emerged victorious. She will now carry the U.S. flag at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. Her win comes at a time of transition for the franchise, which has declared this year the start of a “new era.†Among the runners-up were Ivy Harrington from New Jersey (1st runner-up) and Chantéa McIntyre from Oregon (2nd runner-up).

Two performers passionately singing a duet on stage.

Teen

On the Teen side, the spotlight fell on 17-year-old Mailyn Marsh of Missouri. She claimed the Miss Teen USA 2025 title on October 23 after standing out among fifty other young women. Her platform around girls’ education and access to period-poverty supplies gained attention and perhaps votes.

Elegant woman in a stunning red gown with a dramatic train.

Behind the scenes, the judging panels added their own star power. The Miss USA judges included Nia Sanchez (Miss USA 2014 and pageant coach), Sasha Farber (professional dancer known from Dancing With the Stars), Jade Roper Tolbert (TV personality), Kenneth Barlis (fashion designer), and Hannah Edwards (model scout). Their varied backgrounds reflect a shift in how the pageant is positioning itself.

Official judge Sasha Farber smiling against a dark background.

But the weekend was not without its bumps. The organization behind the pageants has been under scrutiny following a period of turmoil: the 2023 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA winners resigned under troubling circumstances, prompting calls for greater transparency in the competition’s governance. Additionally, the 2025 event’s new ownership and rule changes, including the elimination of a longstanding selection committee, signaled a desire to reset the brand’s image.

Woman in a glamorous pink dress poses against a floral backdrop.

Among observers, there was chatter about how much the changes will stick. Some noted that selecting judges from outside the pageant world may freshen things up, but also raised questions about consistency and fairness. Meanwhile, contestants referenced the heightened pressure of televised rounds, social media voting, and live Q&A segments demanding both poise and purpose. In short, it was more than a beauty contest it became a statement.

Four women in beauty pageant sashes posing for photos.

In sum, this week’s events in Nevada were a blend of glamour, ambition, and organizational change. With Audrey Eckert and Mailyn Marsh now wearing their crowns, the next chapter will test whether these shifts will create lasting momentum or remain a momentary sparkle.