For the state pageant affiliated with Miss America, see Miss Arizona.
Miss Arizona USA
Beauty pageant
Formation1952
HeadquartersPhoenix
LocationArizona
MembershipMiss USA
LanguageEnglish
Key peopleSebastien Verstraet
(Director and Executive Producer)
WebsiteOfficial website

Miss Arizona USA is the beauty pageant that selects the representative for the state of Arizona in the Miss USA pageant, and the name of the title held by its winner. The pageant is directed by Casting Crown Productions.[1]

Arizona's most successful placements were in 1965 and 1980, when Jane Nelson and Jineane Ford, respectively, placed as the first runner-up. Ford later became Miss USA 1980 after the original winner Shawn Weatherly was crowned Miss Universe 1980. Arizona's most recent placement was in 2016, when Chelsea Myers placed in the Top 15.

The longest reigning titleholder was Yesenia Vidales in 2020 at 1 year, 6 months and 5 days, while Cassidy Jo Jacks was the shortest reigning titleholder in 2021 ended her reign at 10 months and 19 days.

The current Miss Arizona USA is Elexes Richardson of Scottsdale and was crowned at the Hilton Caesars Republic Scottsdale Hotel in Scottsdale on September 7, 2025. Richardson represented Arizona at Miss USA 2025.

Results summary

Placements in Miss USA

  • 1st Runners-Up: Jane Nelson (1965), Jineane Ford (1980)[a]
  • 2nd Runners-Up: Susanne Pottenger (1971), Diane Martin (1987), Alicia-Monique Blanco (2009)
  • 3rd Runners-Up: Ruth Hayes (1969), Sherry Nix (1973)
  • Top 10/11/12: Carlys Peterson (1974), Toni Abranovic (1977), Ana Rupert (1979), Cassie Hill (1981), Michelle Ducote (1985), LeeAnne Locken (1989), Maricarroll Verlinde (1991), Dannis Shephard (1992), Stacey Kole (1998)
  • Top 15/16/20: Jerri Michaelson (1962), Diane McGarry (1963), Roxanne Neeley (1966), Judianne Magnusson (1967), Danielle Demski (2004), Brenna Sakas (2006), Brittany Brannon (2011), Jordan Wessel (2014), Maureen Montagne (2015), Chelsea Myers (2016)

Arizona holds a record of 26 placements at Miss USA.

Awards

  • Miss Congeniality: Cara Jackson (1999)
  • Miss Photogenic: Jineane Ford (1980), Brittany Brannon (2011)
  • Best State Costume: Daria Sparling (1984), Michelle Ducote (1985), Maricarroll Verlinde (1991)

Winners

Color key
  • Winner
  • Runner-Up
  • Semifinalist
YearNameAge[b]HometownLocal titlePlacement at Miss USASpecial awards at Miss USANotes
2025Elexes Richardson30ScottsdaleMiss North Scottsdale
2024K Johnson41PhoenixMiss Uptown Phoenix
2023Candace Kanavel27TempeMiss Tempe
2022Isabel Ticlo28PhoenixMiss Phoenix
2021Cassidy Jo Jacks26MesaMiss Usery Mountain
2020Yesenia Vidales23PhoenixMiss Uptown Phoenix
2019Savannah Wix22Paradise ValleyMiss Saguaro Blossom
2018Nicole Smith24PhoenixMiss Phoenix
2017Tommy Lynn Calhoun[2]26 TucsonMiss Sunset Canyon
2016Chelsea Myers20ChandlerMiss North PhoenixTop 15
2015Maureen Montagne21ChandlerMiss South ChandlerTop 15
2014Jordan Wessel20PhoenixMiss TempeTop 20
2013Rachel Massie19GlendaleMiss Maricopa County
2012Erika Lane Frantzve23ScottsdaleMiss Phoenix
2011Brittany Brannon22Paradise ValleyMiss Grand CanyonTop 16Miss Photogenic
2010Brittany Bell22ChandlerMiss Chandler
2009Alicia-Monique Blanco[3]22PhoenixMiss Diamondback2nd Runner-Up
2008Kimberly Joiner[4][1]22[1]Gilbert[1]Miss Gilbert
2007Courtney Barnas19MesaMiss Red Mountain
2006Brenna Sakas21ChandlerMiss ChandlerTop 15
2005Mariana Loya26Gilbert
2004Danielle Demski[5]22ChandlerTop 15
2003Nafeesa DeFlorias26Phoenix
2002Jennifer Lenz25Mesa
2001Tasha Dixon19Phoenix
2000Heather Keckler26Scottsdale
1999Cara Jackson[6]25Chandler[6]Miss Congeniality[6]
1998Stacey Kole24TempeTop 10
1997Jessica Elizabeth Shahriari23Gilbert
1996Christina NovakTempe
1995Shara RiggsOro Valley
1994Jennifer TisdaleMesa
1993Apryl HettichScottsdale
1992Dannis ShephardMesaTop 11
1991Maricarroll VerlindeTempeTop 11Best State Costume
1990Lezlie LeonardTempe
1989LeeAnne LockenApache JunctionTop 10
1988Kris Lynn Keim[8]22Scottsdale
1987Diane Lynn Martin[9]24Tempe2nd runner-up
1986Jodi Lee ArmstrongPhoenix
1985Michelle Ducote20TempeTop 10Best State Costume
1984Daria Joi Sparling[10]20TucsonBest State Costume[11]
  • First runner-up at Miss Arizona USA 1983
1983Sindy Lou Hedden[12]21[12]Tucson[12]
  • First runner-up at Miss Arizona USA 1981
  • Finalist at Miss Arizona USA 1982[13]
1982Lori Diane Hakola[13]19Tucson
1981Cassie Denise Hill[14]PhoenixTop 12
1980Jineane Marie Ford20Gilbert1st runner-up[15]Miss Photogenic[16]
1979Ana RupertScottsdaleTop 12
1978Jacque Dawn Crutchfield19Phoenix
1977Toni AbranovicScottsdaleTop 12
1976Curvey Walters[17]23Phoenix
1975Sanna Jo Osgood[18]Scottsdale
1974Carlys Peterson[19]PhoenixMiss PhoenixTop 12
  • Third runner-up at Miss Arizona USA 1973[20]
1973Sherry Nix[20]21Carefree3rd runner-up
1972Marcia BanksTempe
1971Susanne Elizabeth "Susie" Pottenger[21]Tempe2nd runner-up
  • Finalist at Miss Arizona USA 1970[22]
1970Alicia Ellen Lein[22]21Mesa
1969Ruth HayesTempeMiss Tempe3rd Runner-Up
1968Shirley Diane SpragueAvondaleTop 15 Best in Swimsuit[23]
1967Judianne Magnusson[24]20PhoenixMiss PhoenixTop 15
1966Roxanne Neeley[25]20PhoenixMiss PhoenixTop 15
1965Jane Nelson[26]20TempeMiss Tempe1st runner-up
1964Diane Louise Reutter[28]19PhoenixMiss Phoenix
1963Diane McGarry[29]20PhoenixTop 15
1962Marilyn Jerri Michelson[30]18ScottsdaleMiss Yuma CountyTop 15
1961Shyrle Owens OrtizAvondale
1960Virginia CrookMesa
1959Patricia VargaMesa
1958Shirlee Dianne FoxAvondale
1956Maija BertulsonTucson
1955Patti Marks[32]19Glendale
1954Bonnie Johnson[33]18Glendale
1953Eleanor Ruth Cross[34]19Chandler
1952Charlene Hendricks[35]18Tempe

Notes

  1. ^ Ford originally placed as the first runner-up at Miss USA 1980, but inherited the crown after the original winner Shawn Weatherly was crowned Miss Universe 1980. The two titles cannot be held simultaneously.
  2. ^ Age at the time of the Miss USA pageant

References

  1. ^ Gersema, Emily (2008-03-31). "Miss Arizona USA confident – Gilbert beauty says she'll win Vegas pageant". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
  2. ^ Willett, Johanna (2016-11-20). "Think you know the typical beauty queen? Tucson's Miss Arizona USA will make you think again.". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
  3. ^ Sparks, Colleen (2008-12-10). "2 pageant winners share bond". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
  4. ^ Guyette, Trevor (2007-11-04). "Gilbert teacher will compete for Miss USA". East Valley Tribune. Archived from the original on 2007-06-24.
  5. ^ Carroll, Doug (2004-01-03). "Broadcast beauty goes for top". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
  6. ^ Beard, Betty (1999-08-28). "Beauty, talent radiate from city". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
  7. ^ "LeeAnne Locken exiting 'Actual Housewives of Dallas' to focus on philanthropy". 10 October 2020.
  8. ^ "It Wasn't All Hearts, Flowers being Miss Arizona-USA". Mohave Daily Miner. 1988-03-29.
  9. ^ "A crowning achievement". The Arizona Republic. 15 December 1986. p. 22. Retrieved 14 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  10. ^ "Tucsonan named Miss Arizona-USA". The Courier. 1984-03-19.
  11. ^ "Miss Arizona flies off with costume win". Lakeland Ledger. 1984-05-06.
  12. ^ Williams, Steve (1983-04-04). "Miss USA seeker has no qualms". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
  13. ^ "Miss Arizona finalists chosen". The Arizona Republic. 8 March 1982. p. 18. Retrieved 13 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  14. ^ "Monkeyshines". The Arizona Republic. 9 May 1981. p. 118. Retrieved 16 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  15. ^ Goggin, Terry (16 May 1980). "South Carolina coed is new Miss USA". Hattiesburg American. p. 9. Retrieved 9 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  16. ^ "Miss Photogenic Winners". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 11 May 1980. p. 32. Retrieved 15 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  17. ^ "Deputy court clerk wins beauty contest". The Arizona Republic. 12 March 1976. p. 10. Retrieved 13 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  18. ^ Edgren, Valerie (2 September 1975). "The Gadabout: Miss Texas Pageant held". El Paso Herald-Post. p. 8. Retrieved 13 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  19. ^ "Arizonan seeks title". Tucson Citizen. 16 May 1974. p. 6. Retrieved 15 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  20. ^ "Model wins 2nd in state pageant". The Arizona Republic. 2 April 1973. p. 31. Retrieved 14 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  21. ^ "THE BEACH AND BEAUTIES". Scranton Tribune. 20 May 1971. p. 2. Retrieved 15 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  22. ^ "All over but the crying". The Arizona Republic. 15 February 1970. p. 5. Retrieved 16 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  23. ^ "SWIMSUIT WINNERS". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 16 May 1968. p. 62. Retrieved 7 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  24. ^ "CONTENDER". The Arizona Republic. 5 May 1967. p. 16. Retrieved 14 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  25. ^ "MISS ARIZONA, OLD AND NEW". The Arizona Republic. 5 May 1966. p. 1. Retrieved 16 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  26. ^ "RELAXING FROM MISS USA REHEARSAL". The Jackson Sun. 1 June 1965. p. 2. Retrieved 14 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  27. ^ "Loses Title". The Bristol Daily Courier. 10 June 1965. p. 2. Retrieved 20 June 2023. – via Newspapers.com
  28. ^ "TIME OUT FOR PLAY". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. 24 July 1964. p. 46. Retrieved 11 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  29. ^ "MISS U.S.A. AND 14 RUNNERS-UP". Iowa City Press-Citizen. 18 July 1963. p. 20. Retrieved 8 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  30. ^ "BEAUTIES GALORE". The Macon News. 12 July 1962. p. 2. Retrieved 8 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  31. ^ "OBITUARIES". The Arizona Republic. 2 January 2004. p. 30. Retrieved 16 October 2025. – via Newspapers.com
  32. ^ "Beauty contestant". The Arizona Republic. June 5, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved January 8, 2025. – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Official Entry List Shows How Beauties Measure Up". Long Beach Press-Telegram. 18 July 1954. p. 22. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  34. ^ "Miss Universe pageant Tableau of Beauty". Long Beach Press-Telegram. 12 July 1953. p. 7. Retrieved 8 May 2023. – via Newspapers.com
  35. ^ "Beauty entry skips meet". Arizona Republic. 25 June 1952. p. 7. Retrieved 12 December 2022. – via Newspapers.com