The Miss Texas USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state Texas in the Miss USA pageant. In turn, the winner of Miss USA competes for the title of Miss Universe.
Texas is the most successful state ever to compete at Miss USA. It has had nine winners, three more than any other state, but only one Miss Universe. Texas may be best known for its five consecutive winners. Before Texas won consecutively from 1985 to 1989, no state had ever won the Miss USA pageant more than two times in succession. Texas also has the most semifinalists (or better) - 45, and has received the most special awards - 9.
The Miss Texas USA pageant is one of the most competitive among state pageants for Miss USA; the number of contestants often exceeds one hundred. Many of the contestants are winners from local pageants, the most notable of which are held in cities such as Dallas, Houston, and Austin. Other contestants are "assigned" a title, but unlike local winners, they have to pay an entry fee in order to participate. The Miss Texas USA pageant was broadcast on local Texas Television until 2010.
Christy Fichtner, Miss Texas USA, Miss USA, and first runner-up for Miss Universe 1986 had a famous first runner-up: Oscar winner actress Halle Berry.
Although a large number of former Miss Texas Teen USA titleholders have attempted to win the Miss Texas USA title, only five have succeeded.
There was a rare occurrence in 2001 when all former Miss Texas Teen USA titleholders from 1995 to 2000 competed for the Miss Texas USA 2002 title. Andria Mullins (1997) was second runner-up, Christie Lee Woods (1996) was third runner-up, Mandy Jeffreys (1995) was a semi-finalist and Nicole O'Brian, Christie Cole and Misty Giles did not place.
Former Miss Texas Teen USA titleholders who have competed for Miss Texas USA but did not win the title are:
Mandy Jeffreys (1995), a non-finalist in 1998 and 2000, semi-finalist in 2002 and 2004, 3rd runner-up in 1999 and 2003 and 1st runner-up in 2001.
Christie Lee Woods, (1996), was the first former Miss Teen USA not to win a Miss USA state pageant on her first attempt. She first competed for the Miss Texas USA 2002 title, where she placed 3rd runner-up. She was a semi-finalist in 2003 and again in 2004, her last year of eligibility.
Andria Mullins (1997), a non-finalist in 1999 and 2000, semi-finalist in 2001, 2003, and 2004, and second runner-up in 2002, and then competed in New York in 2005 (4th runner-up) and 2007 (1st runner-up) and California in 2006 (Top ten and Miss Photogenic).
Misty Giles (1999) was a non-finalist in 2001, 2002, and 2003.
Christie Cole (1998) was a non-finalist in 2002.
Tye Felan (2003), was a finalist in 2005
Brittany Tiner (2002), a non-finalist 2006, semi-finalist 2008, 2010 and 2012
Raeven Valdez (2006), non-finalist 2012 and 2010, semi-finalist 2009
Kelli Harral (2009), non-finalist 2012 and 2011
Successful former Teen titleholders include:
Kara Williams (1991) - 2nd runner-up in 1995, Miss Texas USA 1996
Carissa Blair (1992) - Top 12 in 1997, 3rd runner-up in 1998, Miss Texas USA 1999
Nicole O'Brian (2000) - Non-finalist in 2002, Miss Texas USA 2003
Magen Ellis (2004) - Top 15 in 2006, Miss Texas USA 2007
Lauren Guzman (2008) - 3rd runner-up in 2011, 1st runner-up in 2012, 4th runner-up in 2013, Miss Texas USA 2014
Daniella Rodriguez (2013) - Miss Texas USA 2016
Miss USA: Kimberly Tomes (1977), Laura Martinez Herring (1985), Christy Fichtner (1986), Michelle Royer (1987), Courtney Gibbs (1988), Gretchen Polhemus (1989), Chelsi Smith (1995), Kandace Krueger (2001), Crystle Stewart (2008).
1st runners-up: Carelgean Douglas (1959), Diane Balloun (1964), Brenda Lynn Box (1971), Luann Caughey (1982), Lisa Allred (1983), Ylianna Guerra (2015).
2nd runners-up: Barbara Horan (1978), Nicole O'Brian (2003).
3rd runners-up: Betty Lee (1954), Ana Rodriguez (2011).
4th runners-up: Jo Dodson (1956), Aundie Evers (1975), Alexandria Nugent (2013).
Top 5: Holly Mills (1998)
Top 6: Christine Friedel (1994), Amanda Little (1997)
Top 10: Laura Shaw (1984), Kara Williams (1996), Lauren Lanning (2006), Magen Ellis (2007), Brooke Daniels (2009), Brittany Booker (2012).
Top 11: Katie Young (1992)
Top 12: Lavonne McConnell (1973), Candace Gray (1976), Anne Hinnant (1979), Barbara Buckley (1980), Diana Durnford (1981), Stephanie Kuehne (1990), Angie Sisk (1993), Kasi Kelly (2002).
Top 15: Joan Bradshaw (1953), Mary Daughters (1955), Gloria Hunt (1957), Linda Daugherty (1958), Jackie Williams (1962), Phillis Johnson (1965), Dorothy Pickens (1966), Bonnie Robinson (1967), Sandy Drewes (1969), Diane Swendeman (1970), Stephanie Guerrero (2004), Tyler Willis (2005).
Miss Congeniality: Diane Swendeman (1970), Chelsi Smith (1995)
Miss Photogenic: Susan Peters (1972), Lisa Allred (1983), Laura Shaw (1984), Tyler Willis (2005)
Best State Costume: Lavonne McConnell (1973), Kimberly Tomes (1977), Barbara Horan (1978)
Best in Swimsuit: Chelsi Smith (1995)
Color key
1 Age at the time of the Miss USA pageant
