I gotta be honest – Just writing the title of this post, seemed a little weird…
For those of you who are new here, at Pageant Junkies, we kind of fancy ourselves as Miss America aficionados. And up until this point, everything we’ve done has been in the name of Miss America (podcasts, blogs, online courses, competition tips, predictions, etc). Heck – I didn’t even see the Miss Universe debacle live because I was enjoying Christmas vacation with my family (although, in case you’re interested, I did take time to write fairly extensively about it here… ).
That’s why it’s come as a bit of a shock that I find myself in unfamiliar territory.
I’m about to offer public predictions for Miss USA.
I’m not exactly sure how this happened… But I do know, this is my attempt to “shake things up” and get out of my little MAO comfort zone. It’s time to see if the skills I use when making predictions about Miss America are the same skills when predicting Miss USA.
Now – OBVIOUSLY – there are a few differences between the organization, therefore, there are a few differences in how I go about making my selections.
For example – This week, I watched the preliminary competition online! It was the first Miss USA prelim I’d ever seen – AND I WAS FLABBERGASTED (in a surprisingly good way!)!!!
First of all – I’m not sure we’ll ever see MAO post prelims online… It doesn’t seem to be the kind of thing they’re interested in doing (that’s not a knock on MAO – I just haven’t seen any indication that they think streaming prelims is a good idea… Which is totally their choice!).
Second – I could’t believe the fact that the whole thing took place in one night! All 52 ladies competed Swimsuit and Gown on the same night, at the same time! I was shocked that the entire thing only took an hour and 20 minutes (LOL! Honestly – I had no idea!).
By comparison, Miss America prelims take place over 3 nights – each prelim night is 2+ hours long, and you see 4 phases of competition on stage instead of just 2 (No wonder MAO announces prelim winners each night).
In any event – I’m obviously throwing myself in the DEEP END by making Miss USA predictions when it’s not my first area of expertise. I might fall flat on my face – and never try this crazy experiment again. Or, I might do “ok” this year and perhaps even a bit better next year… Either way, I’m excited to challenge myself on a new level!
Also – Because I’ve been a MAO girl to this point, I would be remiss if I didn’t at least give a shout-out to Miss Virginia USA Desi Williams (former VA MAO) and Miss Maryland USA Christina Denny (former MD MAO)! Also, Syndee Stottlemyre (current Miss Missouri USA) was Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen, and Caley Rae Pavillard (current Miss Colorado USA) was Miss Colorado’s Outstanding Teen as well! All 4 ladies look stunning and have made the cross-over to USA look easy (and it’s not!).
I know there are several other ladies who’ve competed in MAO over the past few years… including Miss Maine Marisa Butler, Miss Kentucky Kyle Hornback, Miss New Mexico Naomie Germaine, Miss Indiana Morgan Abel, Miss South Carolina Leah Lawson, and Miss 52 Alex Miller! If I’ve missed others, then I apologize in advance! No offense intended whatsoever!
SO!
Now that all my blathering is over… LET’S GET TO THE PICKS!!!
Truth be told, I don’t know exactly how they’re breaking everything down this year… It appears we’ll have a Top 15 (or maybe a Top 16 with the People’s Choice), then a Top 10 – and we think a top 5, but it also seems as if they’re going to announce a Top 3 and the public has something to do with it…?
So – we’re just going to go the old traditional route and pick a Top 15, Top 10, and Top 5. Therefore – without further adieu, LET’S DO THIS!
MISS USA Top 15
Virginia
Texas
California
South Carolina
Nevada
Wisconsin
Maryland
Colorado
52
Hawaii
Oklahoma
DC
South Dakota
Pennsylvania
Georgia
My “bubble” contestants (ladies on the bubble who could also make it):
Connecticut
Michigan
Mississippi
NOW – On to Top 10
California
South Carolina
Colorado
Virginia
Nevada
Hawaii
52
Pennsylvania
Maryland
Oklahoma
Top 5
Colorado
California
South Carolina
52
Hawaii
AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!!! Our first ever predictions for MISS USA!!!
Hey – And just because we’re new to predicting USA, it doesn’t mean we don’t still believe the following (which we say ALL THE TIME to MAO contestants…)
Ladies – If we say your name, we hope you prove us right!
But if we don’t say your name, we hope you PROVE US WRONG!
GOOD LUCK to everyone competing at Miss USA tonight!!!
#BigJunkieLove
Carrie Lakey
Carrie Lakey is kind of obsessed with Miss America…
So are 16,000 of her closest friends.
As an avid fan of the Miss America Organization, Carrie began
publicly predicting pageant winners over 10 years ago.
Now, she’s galvanizing an online movement of fans
known as “Pageant Junkies”.
Learn more about the Junkie Nation
by clicking here.
Victoria Valentine says
I was so interested in reading your predictions Carrie! And they are so good!! Caley Rae Pavillard (CO) and Syndey Stottlemyer (whom you mentioned!) were in the same MAOT 2008 class with me! Both beautiful girls inside and out 🙂
Junkies says
Thanks Victoria! I will update the post! BTW – it’s great having you as a Junkie! Love following your life’s adventures!!! 🙂
Victoria Valentine says
I love following yours too!!! You write the best material! Keep up the great work!! ❤️