Olivia Jordan from Oklahoma was adorned with the crown of Miss USA 2015 on the magnificent finale of Miss USA 2015, held on July 12’ 2015 at Baton Rouge. Olivia, who was crowned by the outgoing queen Nia Sanchez, will now represent USA at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant. Olivia is not new tto the world of pageantry, as the beauty was previously crowned Miss World America 2013 and represented the USA at the Miss World 2013 pageant.
The judges for the night Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006; Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997; Danielle Doty, Miss Teen USA 2011; Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010; Leila Umenyiora, Miss Universe 2011; Michelle McLean-Bailey, Miss Universe 1992; Nana Meriwether, Miss USA 2012; Crystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008 and Kimberly Pressler, Miss USA 1999, analysed the contestants, finally choosing the winner.
The Miss USA 2015 pageant commenced with the introduction of the 51 gorgeous contestants. The introduction was followed by announcing the Top 15 contenders for the night –Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia. The top 15 went on to compete at the swimsuit round, setting the stage on fire.
After the swimsuit round, it was time to announce the Top 10 finalists for the night who further went on to compete at the Evening Gown round. The Top 10 – Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Texas. Kentucky also made it to the Top 10 list via special public votes under whichc one of the Top 15 was saved from elimination with public votes. Hence the Top 10 + 1 made it to the evening gown competition and the question and answer round with the judges.
After the Q&A round was over, the judges selected their Top 5 finalists for the night – Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Texas - who faced the final round of common question which was asked by one fortunate pageant fan. The Final Question for the Top 5 was as follows - “In the year 2020, a woman will appear on the 10$ bill. Which American woman would you like to see on the first printing of the bill and why?” The fate of the winner was sealed with the final answer of the contestants.
After analysing the answers and giving a final look at all the top 5, the judges finally gave out their verdict and announced, Olivia Jordan from Oklahoma as the Miss USA 2015, followed by Ylianna Guerra from Texas who was titled First Runner-up, Anea Garcia from Rhode Island titled Second Runner-up, Brittany McGowan from Nevada was adjudged Third Runner-up and Mamé Adjei from Maryland was adjudged Fourth Runner-up. In addition to announcing the winners, there were a series of Special Awards that were awarded to the following contestants based on different titles...
Gretchen Reece from Indiana – Miss Photogenic
Kimberly Agron from Alaska and Renee Bull from Delaware – Miss Congeniality
Olivia Jordan becomes the 2nd American woman to hold the title of both Miss World America and Miss USA. The first one being Charlotte Sheffield in 1957. However, Olivia will become the first American woman to compete in both major international pageants - Miss World and Miss Universe. The finale was also embellished by the reigning Miss Universe Paulina Vega from Colombia and Miss Teen USA 2014 K. Lee Graham from South Carolina.