Seven of the Top 10 finalists are women of color and all of them are super accomplished.
- May 15, 2017
AceShowbiz - The Miss USA 2017 pageant is airing live now with Julianne Hough and Terrence J as the hosts. After weeks of evaluation, the number of contestants was narrowed down before the winner is announced on Sunday night, May 14.
This year's Top 10 reflected diversity in the country, with seven of them women of color. The first announced Top 10 finalist was Miss Minnesota Meridith Gould, a financial literacy advocate, ballet dancer and singer. She was joined by Miss New Jersey Chhavi Verg, a student at Rutgers University who's trained in classical Indian dance.
Our first member of the Top 10? Miss Minnesota USA, a financial literacy advocate, ballet dancer, and singer. #MissUSA | @SherriHill pic.twitter.com/zPTBcVTtQs
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) May 15, 2017
New to the Top 10? Miss New Jersey USA, a student at Rutgers University who’s trained in classical Indian dance. #MissUSA | @SherriHill pic.twitter.com/ktCpof7bIU
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) May 15, 2017
Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton, a flight attendant, also made it into the Top 10. She's pursuing her MBA this fall. Miss Tennessee Allee-Sutton Hethcoat, a soon-to-be lawyer who hopes to practice entertainment law, was another Top 10 finalist.
Ready for takeoff: Miss Missouri USA, a flight attendant pursuing her MBA this fall, has made it to the Top 10. #MissUSA | @SherriHill pic.twitter.com/VunEA5EK6V
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) May 15, 2017
From Tennessee to Top 10: Miss Tennessee USA is a soon-to-be lawyer who hopes to practice entertainment law. #MissUSA | @SherriHill pic.twitter.com/x7DnYH2O7u
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) May 15, 2017
The next Top 10 finalists to be announced were Miss California India Williams, who hopes to become an Intellectual Property Rights attorney, Miss DC Kara McCullough, a scientist, and Miss South Carolina Megan Gordon, a nursing assistant.
California Dreaming & into the Top 10: Miss California USA hopes to become an Intellectual Property Rights attorney. #MissUSA | @SherriHill pic.twitter.com/0a3Rw9xKaB
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) May 15, 2017
From our nation’s capitol to the big stage, it’s Miss DC USA– a scientist & the newest member of the Top 10. #MissUSA | @SherriHill pic.twitter.com/GfbQNHUzNs
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) May 15, 2017
Add to the Top 10: Miss South Carolina USA, a nursing assistant who loves basketball. #MissUSA | @SherriHill pic.twitter.com/bbxU5sDPaQ
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) May 15, 2017
Miss New York Hannah Lopa, a motorsports sportscaster, Miss Illinois USA, the Captain of the Chicago Bulls dance team, and Miss Alaska Alyssa London, a Stanford University graduate and radio/tv host rounded out the Top 10.
Cruising into the Top 10? Miss New York USA, a motorsports sportscaster. #MissUSA | @SherriHill pic.twitter.com/bL8724EpdM
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) May 15, 2017
Next member of the Top 10? Miss Illinois USA, the Captain of the @ChicagoBulls dance team. #MissUSA | @SherriHill pic.twitter.com/umKrrhTSZG
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) May 15, 2017
Miss Alaska USA is a Stanford University graduate and radio/tv host. Oh, and a member of the Top 10. #MissUSA | @SherriHill pic.twitter.com/Bl9IiUrlKM
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) May 15, 2017
YAY FOR DIVERSITY #MissUSA pic.twitter.com/34y4zXDSKe
— Chelsea Colvin (@chels_nichole08) May 15, 2017
They next competed in the swimwear and evening gown portions of the competition, before the Top 5 was announced. Those who made it into the Top 5 were Miss New Jersey, Miss South Carolina, Miss D.C., Miss Illinois Whitney Wandland and Miss Minnesota.
USA: This is your Top 5.
Remember, you can vote to help your favorite contestant advance using #MissUSA & your contestant’s state hashtag. pic.twitter.com/o7aWPXKRHj
— Miss USA (@MissUSA) May 15, 2017
