Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Miss USA 2003

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Date
  
March 24, 2003

Congeniality
  
Breann Parriott

Broadcaster
  
NBC, WOAI-TV

Miss USA 2003

Presenters
  
Billy Bush, Daisy Fuentes

Venue
  
San Antonio Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas

Winner
  
Susie Castillo Massachusetts

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.

Contents

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.

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.
  • Judges

  • Kristian Alfonso
  • Brooke Burke
  • Vincent Longo
  • Gretchen Polhemus
  • Melania Trump
  • References

    Miss USA 2003 Wikipedia