""I believe in the power of pageantry, and I believe in the power of Miss USA," Eckert told Business Insider. "I think this past week has really put us back on the radar. Miss USA is becoming a household name again.""
""That kind of peeled back a layer and showed me I could really do this," she said. "I could be Miss USA someday.""
"In fact, she thinks the pageant is "back and better than ever.""
Audrey Eckert of Nebraska was crowned Miss USA in Reno, Nevada, on October 24, becoming the first queen crowned under CEO Thom Brodeur. Eckert began competing at age nine, won Miss Nebraska Teen in 2020, and placed in the top five at Miss Teen USA. The pageant experienced major turmoil in recent years, including a rigging investigation, sexual harassment allegations, multiple leadership changes, two resigned queens, and a prominent lawsuit. Crystle Stewart was suspended in 2022 and later parted ways after an investigation, and Laylah Rose became CEO in August 2023. Eckert described the pageant as renewed and regaining public attention.
Read at Business Insider
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