The phrase “Miss USA Top 20” brings the spotlight to the semifinalists of the 2025 edition of Miss USA, and today we offer an up-to-date, fact-driven account of who made that list, what it means, and why this year’s cohort is noteworthy for a U.S. audience.
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Latest Update on the Miss USA Top 20
As of October 24, 2025, the Miss USA Top 20 have been revealed during the opening rounds of the 74th edition of the pageant. Contestants from 51 U.S. states and territories competed at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, representing the Top 20 placements before narrowing down to the Top 10 and Top 5.
The official list of the Top 20 includes these state titleholders:
| State | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Kennedy Whisenant |
| Arkansas | Olivia Halsey § |
| Florida | Lou Schieffelin |
| Georgia | Savannah Miles |
| Idaho | Jenny Ting Crawford § |
| Louisiana | Francie Millan |
| Maine | Shelby Howell |
| Missouri | Shae Smith |
| Nebraska | Audrey Eckert |
| Nevada | Mary Sickler |
| New Hampshire | Mona Lesa Brackett |
| New Jersey | Ivy Harrington |
| Oklahoma | Zoe Ferraro |
| Oregon | Chantéa McIntyre |
| Rhode Island | Brianna Vega § |
| South Carolina | Gallienne Nabila § |
| Tennessee | Madison Kunst |
| Texas | Taylor Lauren Davis |
| Vermont | Victoria Chuah |
| Wisconsin | Aneisha Cox |
- “§” indicates contestants who advanced via viewer voting.
This Top 20 list is pivotal: those names mark the semifinalists, setting the stage for the swimsuit and evening gown rounds that follow, leading to the Top 10 and eventually the final 5.
Why the Miss USA Top 20 Matters
- Main Competition Milestone
Making the Miss USA Top 20 represents significant achievement—it reflects a strong performance in closed-door interviews, preliminary swimsuit, and evening gown segments. It’s the gateway to the more publicly visible rounds. - Fan Engagement via Voting
For 2025, the rules allow internet voting to advance four delegates into the semifinal round. The inclusion of viewer-voted entrants marked a shift in engagement strategy for the pageant. - Sign of Cultural Shifts
This year’s Top 20 includes a wide age range (from early 20s to mid-30s), and contestants from diverse professional backgrounds—engineering, law, athletics, advocacy. The Miss USA Top 20 thus reflects a broader definition of “beauty + platform.”
Key Highlights from This Year’s Miss USA Top 20
- Diverse Backgrounds: For example, the Miss Delaware USA (Tetra Shockley), while not in the Top 20, made headlines as the oldest competitor at age 44. The Top 20 itself includes contestants in their 30s.
- Standout Achievements: Miss Maine USA (Shelby Howell) not only advanced to the Top 20 but also bagged the “Miss Photogenic” special award.
- Representation Milestones: Miss New Hampshire USA (Mona Lesa Brackett) became the first contestant from her state to compete at Miss USA wearing a hijab.
- New Leadership Context: The 2025 pageant is the first under new leadership by Thom Brodeur, CEO of the Miss USA pageant, ushering in fresh direction for the historic competition.
What Comes Next After the Miss USA Top 20
Having achieved Top 20 status, each delegate now moves into:
- The Swimsuit Round: The Top 20 compete, after which the field is cut to Top 10.
- The Evening Gown Round: The Top 10 showcase gowns and interview presence, followed by further cuts.
- The Final Question Round: Typically reserved for the Top 5, where the overall winner and runners-up are determined.
By tracking the Miss USA Top 20, pageant fans and watchers understand which contestants are poised as finalists—and which ones secured early momentum.
Miss USA Top 20 in Context of Pageant History
- This year marks the 74th edition of the Miss USA pageant.
- It’s also the first time the pageant is streaming on the Queen Beauty Network instead of being broadcast on a major U.S. television network.
- The inclusion of viewer-voted semifinalists in the Miss USA Top 20 indicates increasing emphasis on audience participation.
Takeaways for U.S. Audiences
- Keep an eye on the names in the Top 20 list, as these finalists are now prime candidates for the crown.
- Note the diversity in age, profession, and advocacy—the Miss USA Top 20 are no longer purely “traditional pageant”-type candidates.
- Viewership engagement matters: public votes had a tangible impact on the makeup of the Top 20.
- Streaming format reflects evolving consumption—with Miss USA moving away from network TV to digital platforms, the Top 20 status may reach broader, younger audiences.
In closing: the focus on the “Miss USA Top 20” offers a clear lens into the semifinal battleground of the 2025 pageant. As the competition narrows, each of these 20 names bears potential to rise further. Drop a comment below if you’re rooting for a particular contestant, and stay tuned for the next round of eliminations and announcements!