| Formation | 2005 (age 21) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Location | United States |
| Membership | Miss Earth |
| Language | English |
| National Director | Laura Clark (2016-present) |
| Website | missearthusa.com |
Miss Earth USA (formerly Miss Earth United States) is an annual beauty pageant which selects the United States representative to Miss Earth which is an annual international beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness.[1][2][3]
In January 2016, Carousel Productions, Inc., the organization who owns Miss Earth, announced through their official Facebook fan page that the Miss Earth USA program would be managed by U.S. Earth Productions/Beauty Beyond Borders, Inc., under the leadership of national director Laura Clark. In August 2018, the current organization announced it would be changing its name to Miss Earth USA.[4]
The current Miss Earth USA is Gia Soleil Espinoza of Texas, who won the title on January 3, 2026 at the Rosen Centre Hotel[5] in Orlando, Florida.
History
2001-2004: Ms. America International
From 2001 to 2005 participants were selected by the Ms. America International pageant where the prize was to represent the United States at the Miss Earth Pageant.[citation needed] The very first American delegate for Miss Earth was Abigail Royce[6] of California. She competed in 2001 where she landed as one of the Top 10 semifinalists.[7][8]
2005-2015: Earth Pageant Productions
In 2005, Earth Pageant Productions acquired the rights to run Miss Earth USA, in which the winner would go on to Miss Earth.[citation needed] The pageant adopted the slogan "Continuing the Legacy of Beauty and Responsibility". The pageant focused mainly on promoting environmental causes and the winners were chosen equally on their physical attributes as well as their understanding and knowledge of the issues affecting the Earth.[9][10][11] Miss Teen Earth USA was added in 2008, and was held in conjunction with the Miss Earth USA.[citation needed]
2016-Present: U.S. Earth Productions/Beauty Beyond Borders, Inc.
The US Earth Productions/Beauty Beyond Borders, Inc. is the current organization that owns and has runs Miss Earth USA since 2016. The organization is based in Washington, D.C.[12]
Competition
Pre-pageant events take place over a one-week period and include community service work within the host location. Delegates are scored in the following areas: judges' interview, evening gown, swimwear, a Think Global, Act Local environmental project,[13] runway, photogenic, media interview, and social media presence and engagement. In 2023 the current prize value for the top national titleholder for Miss Earth USA was valued at over $100,000 from prize awards, endorsements, and travel.[14]
State & Regional Competitions
Every year, states hold a preliminary competition to choose their delegate for the Miss Earth USA pageant. Delegates may be appointed state or regional titles if a state pageant is not offered in their area. The state/regional winners hold the title "Miss (State/Region) Earth USA" for the year of their reign.
State contestants are judged equally in the following categories: community service, gown, interview, photogenic, and swimwear.
The U.S. Earth Productions/Beauty Beyond Borders, Inc. organization awards directorships to pageant directors, who in some cases are responsible for more than one state or a region of the United States.
Currently, the Miss Earth USA organization does allow contestants to re-compete at the national pageant in the same division under the previous state title held, or a regional title, if a state title has already been awarded or appointed.
Editions
The following is a list of all Miss Earth USA winners and elemental court during their year of crowning.
| Year | Host City | Miss Earth USA | Elemental Courts | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air | Water | Fire | Eco | |||
| 2026 | Orlando, Florida | Gia Espinoza Texas | April Rodriguez Lone Star | Angel Strong West Coast | Alanna Lynch West Virginia | Autumn Fisher Kentucky |
| 2025 | Washington, D.C. | Haley Poe[15] Pennsylvania | Sydney Hella Colorado | Madison Nero New York | Ta'ya Hazelwood Wisconsin | Kiara Landon Washington |
| 2024 | Orlando, Florida | Bea Millan-Windorski[16] Wisconsin | Sofia Terrazas Texas | Jireh Gerry California | Sydney Hella Colorado | Jada Kelly Mississippi |
| 2023 | Danielle Mullins[17] Kentucky | Shawna Melvin Maryland | Natalia Aldarondo Florida | Angel Strong Nebraska | Gracie Pfaff Tennessee | |
| 2022 | Natalia Salmon Pennsylvania (Dethroned) | Faith Porter District of Columbia | rowspan= 2 Connecticut | Hannah Welborn-Lewis North Carolina | Emma Loney Oklahoma | |
| Brielle Simmons Connecticut (Assumed) | ||||||
| 2021 | Marisa Butler Maine | Alyssa Klinzing California | Alyssa Magalong Colorado | Kennedy Thomas Alabama | C'yana Denby Maryland | |
| 2020 | Virtual Pageant | Lindsey Coffey Pennsylvania | Shannon Lynch District of Columbia | Autumn Adams Georgia | Leighanna Kingvalsky Louisiana | Alexandra Curtis Rhode Island |
| 2019 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Emanii Davis Georgia | Libby Hill Gulf Coast | Mia Jones Delaware | Francie Evans South Carolina | Kirstin Bangs California (Resigned) |
| Nicolette Templier New York (Assumed) | ||||||
| 2018 | Alexandria, Virginia | Yashvi Aware Mid-Atlantic | Kailey Parker Hawaii | Yvette Vaughn Texas | Natalia Aldarondo Puerto Rico | April Maroshick New York |
| 2017 | Andreia Gibau Massachusetts | Ashley Wade District of Columbia | Yvette Vaughn Northwest | Sydney Wharton Texas | rowspan=2 | |
| 2016 | Corrin Stellakis New York | Mae-Ann Webb South Carolina | Devin Boyd Louisiana | Kesha Clark Southwest | ||
| 2015 | Ontario, California | Brittany Ann Payne California | Cece Campos Southern California | Maria Manzo Grand Florida | Maicie Clark Florida | Elizabeth Tran Florida |
| 2014 | Andrea Neu Colorado | Eli Reyes Texas | Candie Herrera | Cece Campos Southern California | Daryanne Lees Puerto Rico | |
| 2013 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Nicolle Velez Empire State | Edita Jurisic Pennsylvania | Eli Reyes Texas | Lucie Poehere Wilson Hawaii | Emily Miller South Dakota |
| 2012 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Siria Bojorquez Lone Star State | Illinois | California | Pennsylvania | Missouri |
| 2011 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Nicole Kelley Florida | colspan=4 | |||
Titleholders
This is a list of women who have represented United States at the Miss Earth pageant:
- Color key
- Declared as Winner
- Ended as runner-up
- Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
- Ended as special awards winner
| Year | Represented | Miss Earth USA | Hometown | Age[a] | Placement | Special Award(s) | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | California | Abigail Royce | San Diego | 25 | Top 10 | None | 1st Runner-up at Miss World USA 2000. |
| 2002 | California | Casey Marie Burns | Long Beach | 21 | Unplaced | None | |
| 2003 | California | Jessica Schilling† | Palm Springs | 19 | Unplaced | None | |
| 2004 | California | Stephanie Brownell | Riverside | 20 | Unplaced | ||
| 2005 | Montana | Amanda Kimmel | Billings | 21 | Top 8 | None | Miss Montana USA 2005. |
| 2006 | South Carolina | Amanda Pennekamp | Columbia | 25 | Top 16 | None | Miss South Carolina USA 2004, 1st Runner-up at Miss USA 2004. |
| 2007 | Kansas | Lisa Forbes | Overland Park | 26 | Unplaced | None | Miss Kansas USA 2004. |
| 2008 | Nebraska | Jana Murrell | Omaha | 26 | Top 16 | None | Miss Nebraska USA 2005. |
| 2009 | Rhode Island | Amy Diaz | Providence | 25 | Unplaced | None | Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2001; Miss Rhode Island USA 2008, Top 15 at Miss USA 2008. |
| 2010 | Missouri | Danielle Bounds | Kansas City | 26 | Top 14 | None | |
| 2011 | Florida | Nicole Kelley | Palm Coast | 22 | Unplaced | None | |
| 2012 | Texas | Siria Bojorquez | El Paso | 19 | Top 8 | ||
| 2013 | New York | Nicolle Velez | New York City | 22 | Top 16 | None | |
| 2014 | Colorado | Andrea Neu[18][19] | Pueblo | 24 | Miss Earth – Air 2014 | Miss U.S. International 2013, Top 15 at Miss International 2013. | |
| 2015 | California | Brittany Ann Payne | Tehachapi | 23 | Miss Earth – Water 2015 | ||
| 2016 | New York | Corrin Stellakis | Bridgeport | 19 | Miss Earth – Fire 2016 | Originally placed Top 8, later elevated after original Miss Earth-Fire was resigned; Miss New York Teen USA 2014; Top 12 at Miss World America 2015; Miss U.S. International 2021. | |
| South Carolina | Mae-Ann Webb | Ridge Spring | 25 | did not compete | Originally 1st Runner-up, later took over after original winner was elevated to Miss Earth-Fire. | ||
| 2017 | Massachusetts | Andreia Gibau | Brockton | 22 | Top 16 | Miss New York USA 2020, Top 10 at Miss USA 2020. | |
| 2018 | Maryland | Yashvi Aware | Frederick | 25 | Unplaced | None | |
| 2019 | Georgia | Emanii Davis | Griffin | 25 | Miss Earth – Air 2019 | Miss Georgia USA 2016, 2nd Runner-up at Miss USA 2016; 3rd Runner-up at Miss World America 2017. | |
| Texas | Libby Hill | Houston | 28 | did not compete | Originally 1st Runner-up, later took over after original winner won Miss Earth-Air. | ||
| 2020 | Pennsylvania | Lindsey Coffey | Centerville | 28 | Miss Earth 2020 | ||
| 2021 | Maine | Marisa Butler | Standish | 27 | Miss Earth – Air 2021 | Miss Maine USA 2016; Miss World America 2018, Top 30 at Miss World 2018. | |
| 2022 | Pennsylvania | Natalia Salmon | Effort | 23 | did not compete | Later was replaced by 2nd Runner-up for unknown reasons. | |
| Connecticut | Brielle Simmons | Fort Washington | 20 | Unplaced | Originally 2nd Runner-up, later took over after original winner was dethroned. | ||
| 2023 | Kentucky | Danielle Mullins[17] | Lexington | 25 | Top 20 | None | |
| 2024 | Wisconsin | Bea Millan-Windorski[16] | Whitefish Bay | 20 | Miss Earth – Water 2024 | ||
| 2025 | Pennsylvania | Haley Poe[15] | Erie | 22 | Unplaced | Won the title of Miss Earth USA on Season 1 of Pretty Down to Earth on the Queen Beauty Network, making her the first American to win a national pageant title on a reality TV show in the United States. | |
| 2026 | Texas | Gia Espinoza | El Paso | 21 | TBA | TBA | Competed on Season 1 of Pretty Down to Earth on the Queen Beauty Network in 2025. |
Notes:
- † Now deceased
By number of states
| States | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| California | 5 | 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2015 |
| Texas | 3 | 2012, 2019[b], 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | 2020, 2022,[b] 2025 | |
| New York | 2 | 2013, 2016 |
| South Carolina | 2006, 2016[b] | |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 2024 |
| Kentucky | 2023 | |
| Connecticut | 2022 | |
| Maine | 2021 | |
| Georgia | 2019 | |
| Maryland | 2018 | |
| Massachusetts | 2017 | |
| Colorado | 2014 | |
| Florida | 2011 | |
| Missouri | 2010 | |
| Rhode Island | 2009 | |
| Nebraska | 2008 | |
| Kansas | 2007 | |
| Montana | 2005 |
- ^ Age when crowned the national title.
- ^ Took over or held the title for a brief period of time after the original winner won or elevated to Miss Earth's runner-up, and thus did not compete at Miss Earth.
Additional Miss Earth USA Divisions
The current Miss Earth USA program requires contestants be ages 18–26 as of January 1 of the competition year. U.S. Earth Productions/Beauty Beyond Borders, Inc. offers three additional divisions supporting Miss Earth USA. The winners of the additional divisions for ages 14–18 (Teen) and 21-59 (Mrs.) go on to compete at international competitions. Previously the program had an Elite Miss division for ages 26–38, but it was discontinued in 2022. All delegates are never married (excluding Mrs.), never had children (excluding Mrs.), natural born female, and U.S. citizens.[20] Together, these delegates make up Miss Earth USA system and bring awareness to environmental concerns while celebrating talents in modeling, fashion, and public speaking.[21]
Titleholders
The following is a list of all Miss Earth USA supporting division titleholders.
| Edition | Teen Miss Earth USA | State | Mrs. USA | State | Elite Miss Earth USA | State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Mia Navarro | Texas | ||||
| 2025 | Jordyn Campion | New Mexico | ||||
| 2024 | Alexandria Wolfe | Texas | ||||
| 2023 | Tayan Stansfield | Kentucky | Ann Pennington | New Jersey | ||
| 2022 | Presley Patrick | Pennsylvania | Christine Rich | Delaware | ||
| 2021 | Katia Gerry | California | Meredith Pope | Alabama | Nalicia Ramdyal | New York |
| 2020 | Sally Dorrell | West Virginia | ||||
| 2019 | Sydni Terradot | Louisiana | Shelby Williams Dixon | North Carolina | Celine Pelofi | Florida |
| 2018 | Payton Stockman | United States | Brandi Jarvis Ibos | Mississippi | Keyace Sims | United States Gulf Coast |
| 2017 | Leslie Jackson | Maryland | Division established in 2018[22] | |||
| 2016 | Sarah Levandowski | Texas | ||||
| 2015 | Alyssa Klinzing | Kansas | Vincenza Carrieri-Russo | Delaware | ||
Notes:
- 2022: Presley Patrick previously represented Pennsylvania at Teen Miss Earth USA 2021, placing 2nd runner-up.
- 2022: Christine Rich previously represented Maryland at Mrs. USA Earth 2021 and 2019, placing 2nd and 3rd runner-up and Delaware at Mrs. USA Earth 2018, placing 1st runner-up. Christine was previously Mrs. Delaware America 2013, Mrs. Delaware United States 2015, placing top 15 at Mrs. United States, and Mrs. Delaware Galaxy 2018, placing 2nd runner-up at Mrs. Galaxy International.
- 2019: Celine Pelofi was previously Ms. United States 2015 representing Florida.
- 2018: Brandi Jarvis Ibos previously represented Mississippi at Miss Earth United States 2016, placing Top 10.
- 2018: Payton Stockman previously represented Florida at Teen Miss Earth United States 2017, placing 1st Runner-Up and earned the swim award.
- 2015: Alyssa Klinzing was previously Miss Kansas Teen USA 2013, placing Top 16 at Miss Teen USA 2013 and later Miss Kansas USA 2019, placing Top 10 at Miss USA 2019.
- 2015: Vincenza Carrieri-Russo was previously Miss Delaware USA 2008 and Miss Delaware United States 2014, placing 2nd-Runner Up at Miss United States 2014.[23]
References
- ^ "Afghanistan: Anti-Pageant Judges". The New York Times. 2003-10-30. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ "Miss Earth 2004 beauty pageant". China Daily. Reuters. 2004-10-25. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
- ^ Enriquez, Amee (2 February 2014). "Philippines: How to make a beauty queen". BBC News. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
- ^ "Miss Earth USA - New name. Same mission. #missearthusa...", retrieved 2019-10-05
- ^ "Rosen Centre Hotel- First Class Orlando, FL Hotels- GDS Reservation Codes: Travel Weekly". www.travelweekly.com. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ TJ, Burgonio (12 October 2001). "Beauties Back Out pp25 and 27". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
- ^ High Beam News, Online (2001-11-08). "Danish law student is Miss Earth". Filipino Reporter. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
- ^ Palmero, Paul (2005-06-18). "Pageant History". Pageant Almanac. Archived from the original on 2008-12-12. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
- ^ Brady, Matt (2008-09-25). "Miss Earth United States checks out Fort Collins' environmental efforts". Fort Collins. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
- ^ Bruning, Marlee (2009-10-07). ""'Green'tings" from Rhody for latest enviro-queen". The Brown Daily Herald. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
- ^ Sullivan, Jerriann (2009-07-19). "Pageant promotes Earth". Central Florida Future of the University of Central Florida. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
- ^ "Miss Earth United States | New Licensee Named". missearthunitedstates.com. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
- ^ "MISS EARTH USA | Go Green". missearthusa.com. Retrieved 2019-10-08.
- ^ "2023 National Titleholder: Danielle Mullins". Miss Earth USA.
- ^ Glicklin, Harry (7 July 2025). "Miss Earth champions unite on Good Morning Washington for environmental awareness". WJLA-TV
- ^ "Bea Milan-Windorski Miss Earth USA 2024". instagram. 31 December 2023.
- ^ Powell, Curadhan (2023-01-10). "For first time ever, 2 Kentuckians win 2023's Miss Earth USA titles together". WLKY. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- ^ "Miss Earth 2014 Crown Goes To Miss Philippines". TravelersToday. 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ "Pinay bags Miss Earth 2014 title". GMA News Online. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ "MISS EARTH UNITED STATES | FAQ". missearthusa.com. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
- ^ White, Jamila (2016). "National Green Week kickoff!". WJLA-TV. Retrieved 2016-02-02.
- ^ "MRS. USA EARTH | Meet the Queen". Mrs USA Earth. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
- ^ "More About Vincenza Carrieri Russo". Vincenza Carrieri-Russo. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
External links
- Official website
- Beauties for a Cause USA - Official nonprofit foundation helping to support the work of Miss Earth USA.