The Miss USA pageant has been rocked by controversy in recent years. Now, a new leader has stepped in with bold plans to clean up the tarnished image and bring back the sparkle that once made the crown so coveted.
Scandals That Shook the Pageant World
The past few years have been anything but glamorous for Miss USA. In 2022, history was made for all the wrong reasons. Noelia Voigt, then just 25, stunned fans when she resigned only seven months after winning the crown. She said her mental and physical health had to come first.
Just two days later, another shock hit. UmaSofia Srivastava, 18, Miss Teen USA, also quit. Her mother accused the organization of bullying and mistreating the young women behind the scenes. It was the first time in the pageant’s 74-year history that both reigning winners walked away.
The trouble didn’t start there. A year earlier, former contestants claimed the 2022 competition had been rigged to favor R’Bonney Gabriel. The accusations, led by former Miss Montana Heather Lee O’Keefe, spread like wildfire online and fueled calls for change. That scandal led to an internal investigation, the suspension of then-director Crystle Stewart’s brand, and even a documentary about the allegations.
The tragedy of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, who died in 2022 after a long battle with depression, also raised questions about the lack of mental health support for contestants. The glamorous world of crowns and gowns was suddenly under a harsh spotlight.
Enter Thom Brodeur
To rescue the troubled brand, Miss Universe appointed Thom Brodeur as the new CEO of Miss USA. Brodeur doesn’t shy away from the challenge. “Most people don’t want to run into a burning building,” he said in a recent interview. “But inside this building lives 74 years of history.”
For Brodeur, the pageant represents more than a single night of competition. He believes the women who compete dedicate years of their lives, thousands of dollars, and endless effort to the dream of wearing the crown. He wants to honor that commitment and rebuild trust with contestants and fans alike.
Three Big Changes
Brodeur has three major ideas to kick off a new era. First, he plans to launch a reality show to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the contestants’ journeys. Viewers would get to see the highs, the lows, and the sacrifices that go into preparing for the big night.
Second, he wants to bring fan voting back into the competition, giving the public more influence over the outcome.
Third, he plans to reintroduce live scoring on screen, just like in the old days. Transparency, he says, is key to winning back faith in the process.
“I don’t believe in hiding anything,” Brodeur explained. “If you have nothing to hide, you don’t need to.”
Breaking Away From Old Rules
One of his first moves as CEO was to eliminate the controversial non-disclosure agreements that silenced past contestants. He also scrapped the selection committee that could overrule judges’ votes, a system many blamed for the 2022 rigging scandal.
Former Miss Montana O’Keefe, one of the loudest voices calling for reform, welcomed the changes. She congratulated Brodeur on taking charge and said she hoped his leadership would finally restore integrity and trust.
Mental Health in Focus
Brodeur is also surrounding himself with women leaders who prioritize the well-being of contestants. Laura Clark, who previously introduced mental health initiatives in another pageant, joins as co-national director. Psychotherapist Elisa Banks-Lovely will also take on a leadership role, ensuring support programs are built into the organization.
The mother of Cheslie Kryst, April Simpkins, expressed relief at the changes. She praised Brodeur and Banks-Lovely for making mental health a priority, saying she looked forward to seeing what comes next.
Reaching a New Generation
Brodeur knows today’s audience doesn’t watch TV the way they used to. He’s pushing for deals with NBC, Peacock, and Bravo so fans can stream the show anytime. He wants the competition to live beyond one night a year, with ongoing content that keeps people invested in the women’s stories.
“Look at how Netflix made the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders a phenomenon again,” he said. “People want to follow real-life stories. That’s what this should be.”
A Fresh Chapter
For Brodeur, the mission is bigger than fixing a pageant. He wants contestants to walk away with careers, opportunities, and a sense of pride. “At the end of this, I want them to feel like they left with a big, warm hug,” he said.
It’s a tall order. Years of scandals have damaged the brand, and winning back trust won’t happen overnight. But with bold ideas, a focus on transparency, and a renewed commitment to mental health, Miss USA may finally be ready for its comeback.
