A Look at the Black Miss USA Winners Through the Years
As the 2026 Miss USA Pageant prepares to crown its next winner, we wanted to take a look back at all the gorgeous and talented Black women who have won the title over the years. From notable names like Kenya Moore (yes, that Kenya Moore) and Deshauna Barber to a few you may have never heard of, these women truly brought beauty, brains and some much-needed melanin to the annual pageant.
Take a look at some of the amazing past winners!
What Is the Miss USA Pageant?
The Miss USA pageant (not to be confused with the Miss America pageant) was created in 1952 and historically consists of three categories: evening gown, interview, and swimsuit. The winner moves on to represent the country and compete in the annual Miss Universe pageant.
Related: Once Again, a Black Woman Has Been Crowned Miss USA
Who Are the Black Women in the Running for Miss USA 2026?
Out of all 50 states (plus the District of Columbia), there are more than a handful of Black women currently in the running for the coveted title. Those women include: Miss California USA Acacia McBride, Miss Connecticut USA Jaeden Hamelly, Miss District of Columbia USA Kennedy JoAnn Lucas, Miss Indiana USA Eniola Oke, Miss Kentucky USA Brijet Finister, Miss Massachusetts Kayshauna Montaño, Miss North Carolina USA Myla Hadley, Miss Ohio USA Kayelin L. Tiggs, Miss Utah USA Alayzia Christopher, and Miss Virginia USA Justus Kelley.
When Will Miss USA 2026 Be Crowned?
The final night of the Miss USA 2026 pageant takes place on Thursday (Aug. 27), with the winner expected to take home the title as a six-figure salary for the year, exclusive event access, and multiple speaking engagements. You can stream it live at the Queen Beauty Network (QBN) app or on their website.
1990 – Carole Gist
A Detroit native who was homeless at one point in her childhood while her parents battled substance abuse issues, Miss Michigan USA’s Carole Gist made history in 1990 by becoming the first Black woman to take home the title. She placed as first runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant that same year. Today, she serves as the Wellness Coordinator at Wayne State University.
1993 – Kenya Moore
Perhaps one of the most famous winners, “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kenya Moore, was crowned Miss USA in 1993. This helped launch her ascent into Hollywood stardom, as she began to appear on popular shows like “Martin,” The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and eventually “RHOA.”
2000 – Lynnette Cole
Seven years later, Lynnette Cole walked away as the winner of the Miss USA pageant. Since her win, she’s worked as a TV spokesperson. She also served as the Director of Global Relations and Education for the skincare and makeup brand Pür Minerals.
2002 – Shauntay Hinton
A Mississippi native and Howard University graduate, Shauntay Hinton won Miss USA in 2002. Over the years, she’s been able to leverage the win to secure other deals, including a frequent guest co-anchor and panelist on HLN network shows, a two-episode role on Nickelodeon’s “iCarly,” and more.
2008 – Crystle Stewart
Six years after Hinton, Crystle Stewart emerged as the winner of the Miss USA title in 2008. Even years after her win, she kept her time in the pageant circle on her heart as she became the national director of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA—splitting the pageants into a new independent organization away from the Miss Universe Organization (which was then owned by Donald Trump).
2016 – Deshauna Barber
In 2016, Miss District of Columbia USA Deshauna Barber became the first U.S. military member to win the title of Miss USA. After her win, she worked as an advocate, lending her platform and voice to causes, including the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), where she served as the president and CEO. She also founded Women Veterans for Change in 2024 before shutting down its operations to work as the Executive Director at Veterans Community Project Saint Louis.
2017 – Kára McCullough
The following year, another Miss District of Columbia USA took home the crown as Miss USA. An HBCU graduate of South Carolina State University and a chemist, McCullough married former Toronto Raptors player Garrett Temple and used her position to speak out on issues, including women in STEM.
2019 – Cheslie Kryst
One of the saddest stories associated with the Miss USA pageant is that of 2019 winner Cheslie Kryst. At just 28, Kryst was a full-time attorney licensed to practice law in two states before being crowned Miss USA in 2019. She also worked as a correspondent for “Extra,” a job that earned her an Emmy nomination. However, just two years later, Kryst died by suicide in January 2022. In her heartbreaking posthumous memoir, “By the Time You Read This: The Space Between Cheslie’s Smile and Mental Illness,” she detailed her experience being in the public eye and the insurmountable pressures that came along with it.
2020 – Asya Branch
Asya Branch made history in 2020 by becoming the first Black woman to win Miss Mississippi USA and the first woman from the state to win Miss USA. In the years since her win, she became an advocate for prison reform after having grown up with an incarcerated parent. She launched an initiative called “Finding Your Way: Empowering Children of Incarcerated Parents,” with a specific sub-initiative called “Love Letters,” which donated stationery to inmates so they can communicate with their families.
2021 – Elle Smith
Formerly Miss Kentucky USA, Elle Smith won Miss USA in 2021. In the year after her win, she supported causes and organizations like Best Buddies, Smile Train, and cervical cancer. Today, she has a modeling contract with Wilhelmina and lives in New York City.
