Well, it's official. The Lone Star State has a new contender for Miss USA, part of the global Miss Universe empire co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC Universal.
In a Sunday ceremony at the Hilton Americas-Houston, Alexandria Nugent was crowned Miss Texas USA 2013 as Brittany Lynn Booker, the Friendswood-native who has donned the title since last summer, handed over the beauty reins.
The Miss USA crown has been worn by Texas delegates nine times — more than any other state since the contest started in 1950.
Nugent, who was representing North Texas, breezed through a three-day competition that included personal interviews with judges as well as staged events for modeling swimsuits and evening gowns. Unlike the Miss America pageant, contestants do not have to face a nerve-wrecking talent portion.
This year's runner-ups included, from first through fourth: Miss Plano USA Jordan Schultz, Miss Lake Austin USA Amber Calderon, Miss Southwest Texas USA Barbara Falcon and Miss North Laredo USA Lauren Guzman.
Established in 1950 by Catalina Swimwear after Miss America winner Yolande Betbeze refused to pose for publicity pictures in a swimsuit, the Miss USA crown has been worn by Texas delegates nine times — more than any other state.
During the heyday of big hair in the late 1980s, Texans won the national five years in a row . . . even the famous 1986 competition Dallas' Christy Fichtner beat out an Ohio contestant named Halle Barry.
Nugent moves forward to the Miss USA contest, which will be broadcast live on NBC in June 2013. A win at the nationals means a chance at the title of titles, Miss Universe.
