Miss USA 2003
| Miss USA 2003 | |
|---|---|
| Date | March 24, 2003 |
| Presenters | Billy Bush, Daisy Fuentes |
| Venue | San Antonio Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas |
| Broadcaster | NBC, WOAI-TV |
| Winner | Susie Castillo Massachusetts |
| Congeniality | Breann Parriott |
| Photogenic | Sarah Cahill |
Miss USA 2003, the 52nd Miss USA pageant, was held at the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio, Texas on March 24, 2003. It was the first time it had been held in this state since 1996 when the pageant was held in South Padre Island. It was the latest it had been held since 1986, as previous pageants had been held in February or early March.
The pageant was won by Susie Castillo of Massachusetts, who was crowned by outgoing queen Shauntay Hinton of the District of Columbia.
The format reverted to a Top Ten who competed in swimsuit and evening gown, although, as with 2002, there was no interview competition for the semi-finalists. This would be the last year where a top ten was called. The following Miss Universe Organization pageant, Miss Universe 2003 and onward, fifteen semi-finalists have been called each year.
Daisy Fuentes co-hosted the event for the first time (although she had been a color commentator in 1995), joined by Billy Bush who would also host the 2004 and 2005 events, as well as the Miss Universe pageants all three years. Color commentary was added by reigning Miss USA Shauntay Hinton. Entertainment was provided by Burn The Floor.
Results
Placements
| Final Results | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss USA 2003 | |
| 1st Runner-Up |
|
| 2nd Runner-Up | |
| 3rd Runner-Up |
|
| 4th Runner-Up | |
| Top 10 |
|
Special awards
| Award | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss Congeniality |
|
| Miss Photogenic |
Delegates
The Miss USA 2003 delegates were:
1 Age as of March 24, 2003
Historical significance
- This became the second win for Massachusetts in six years, when Shawnae Jebbia won Miss USA 1998.
- This is the sixth time since 1995 a former Miss Teen USA state delegate wins or inherits the Miss USA title and the fourth to win it outright. Coincidentally, Susie Castillo was Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 1998 when Jebbia won her Miss USA title.
- Castillo was the first Miss USA winner to be crowned with the new Mikimoto-designed crown valued at $200,000, which features over 480 diamonds and almost 120 South Sea and Akoya pearls.
- Alabama equaled its highest placement at Miss USA for the fourth time since Sylvia Hitchcock won Miss USA 1967. Alabama placed 1st Runner-Up in 1968, 1975, and 1992.
- Michigan had its highest placement since Kenya Moore won Miss USA 1993.
- Tennessee had its highest placement since Lynnette Cole won Miss USA 2000.
- Hawaii had its first placement since Brook Lee won Miss USA 1997 and later went on to win Miss Universe 1997.
- New Mexico placed for the first time since 1999.
- South Carolina placed in the Top 10 for the third time in four years.
Contestant notes
- This year had the largest numbers of crossover delegates, and equalled the record set for the highest number of former Miss Teen USA contestants. The record was not surpassed until Miss USA 2007 where 11 former Miss Teen USA delegates competed.
- Delegates who had previously or would later compete at Miss America were:
- Stacey Storey (Alaska) - Miss Alaska 1995
- Erin Caperton MacGregor (Colorado) - Miss Colorado 1999
- Ashley Huff (Nevada) - Miss Nevada 2001
- Beth Hood (Tennessee) - Miss Tennessee 2000
- Breann Parriott (Washington) Miss Washington 2001
- Delegates who had previously competed at Miss Teen USA were:
- Cheryl Crowe (Delaware) - Miss Delaware USA 1997
- Michelle Dollie Wright (District of Columbia) - Miss District of Columbia Teen USA 1995
- Tashina Kastigar (Indiana) - Miss Indiana Teen USA 1998
- Susie Castillo (Massachusetts) - Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 1998 (Teen with Style)
- Sarah Cahill (Minnesota) - Miss Minnesota Teen USA 1996
- Allison Bloodworth (Mississippi) - Miss Mississippi Teen USA 1999
- Alina Ogle (New Mexico) - Miss New Mexico Teen USA 1999
- Kristen Luneberg (North Carolina) Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 1998
- Nicole O'Brian (Texas) - Miss Texas Teen USA 2000 (1st runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2000)
- Jennifer Ripley (Vermont) - Miss Vermont Teen USA 1999
- Four contestants later appeared on reality television shows. Nicole O'Brian appeared on The Amazing Race 5, Krisily Kennedy was a runner-up on The Bachelor, Brittney Rogers appeared with her family on The Amazing Race: Family Edition, and Candace Smith appeared on Survivor: Tocantins.
Judges
- Kristian Alfonso
- Brooke Burke
- Vincent Longo
- Gretchen Polhemus
- Melania Trump