Category: Louisiana

Victoria Paul is Miss Louisiana USA 2019 and Emma McAllister is Miss LA Teen USA 2019!

10/7/2018

Congratulations to Miss Louisiana USA 2019 Victoria Paul and Miss LA Teen USA 2019 Emma McAllister! Click their names to view their profiles and see more photos.

I mentioned in the Louisiana contestant rundown that no newcomers have won the Miss Louisiana USA title in the past two decades other than Candice Bennatt, who as a former Miss New Mexico had plenty of experience, if not in the USA system. The trend continued this year despite a stiff challenge from second runner-up DeAudrea Horne (Vieux Carre), as Victoria was second runner-up at Miss Louisiana USA last year and top 10 in 2017 (I remember a lot of people saying she should have made top five in her first year as well). From what I can tell Victoria is the first titleholder from the central Louisiana city of Alexandria, where she is an emergency room nurse. During the pageant was hard not to notice her striking resemblance to Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey!

Emma was also a runner-up last year, and is just the second in the last decade who had made the top five the year prior to winning - the other was her predecessor Lindsey Conque. She is from Houma, also hometown to Miss LA Teen USA 2009 & Miss LA USA 2014 Brittany Guidry and Miss LA Teen USA 2014 Mary Risener.

Photo by Zac Grimaldo

This was the first year since 2014 that there were two first-time contestants in the top five. Victoria's first runner-up was Tanya Crowe, who made the top five for the third time. Odd numbered years must bring her good luck because she was fourth runner-up in the 2017 pageant and third runner-up in 2015, as well as making the top 10 last year and missing the cut (to most people's absolute shock) in 2016. Second runner-up as mentioned previously was newcomer and US Olympic Skeleton hopeful DeAudrea Horne. Third runner-up went to last year's 1RU Anna Kirksey and fourth runner-up was the second newbie Alyssa Bradley, who also won People's Choice. Tanya was the Evening Gown winner, DeAudrea won Interview and Congeniality and Anna won Swimsuit.

The top 10 was rounded out with Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2012 Marlee Henry (first runner-up in 2017), Josie Stephens (also top 10 last year and at Miss LA Teen USA 2012) and Ali Williams (top 10 in 2017 & top 15 in 2016) and newcomers Jordyn McKey and Olivia Rackley. The rest of the top 16 were last year's fourth runner-up Avery Greene, who also won Miss Photogenic and a mysterious "online favourite" award - I'm not sure where that was being voted on but it was apparently to do with the production and streaming company, four-time semi-finalist Chloe Burkett, other past semi-finalists Mariah Clayton, Emma Key and Sylvia Masters and newcomer Tajá White.

Emma Key, Jordyn McKey, Ali Williams, Josie Stephens

Tajá White, Tanya Crowe, CHloe Burkett, Marlee Henry

DeAudrea Horne, Jordyn McKey, Josie Stephens, Olivia Rackley

Victoria Paul, Mariah Clayton, Emma Key

Teen first runner-up, for the second consecutive year, was Grace Petry. Second runner-up went to newcomer Sydni Terradot, third runner-up was Ryleigh Magee who moved up one spot from last year and fourth runner-up was another newcomer, Kylie Morgan. Grace was the only member of the top five to win a special award - she took him the Evening Gown award, also for the second year in a row.

This year's top 10 were Interview and Congeniality winner Avery Jeffcoat, swimsuit award winner Leanna Lanford, Jillian Elliott, Micaiah McZeal and Jasmine Shiloh. Jillian was the only top 10 finalist who had competed previously, she was top 15 last year.

The top 16 included Miss Photogenic Layna Baker (also top 15 last year), first-time contestants Sarah Pace and Kinyson Voges (People's Choice winner) and three 2018 non-finalists, Caroline Colvin, Hallie Kent and Jillian Maxwell.

Grace Petry, Kylie Morgan, Micaiah McZeal, Emma McAllister, Avery Jeffcoat

Sydni Terradot, Jasmine Shiloh, Jillian Elliott, Leanna Lanford, Ryleigh Magee

Full results

Miss LA USA 2019: Victoria Paul (2RU 18, T10 17)
1RU: Tanya Crowe (T10 18, 4RU 17, NF 16, 3RU 15)
2RU: DeAudrea Horne
3RU: Anna Kirksey (1RU 18, T16 17, NF 15, NF 14)
4RU: Alyssa Bradley

Top 10:
Marlee Henry (1RU 17, LA TUSA 12, T10 11)
Jordyn McKey
Olivia Rackley
Josie Stephens (T10 18, NF 15, T10 LA TUSA 12)
Ali Williams (T10 17, T15 16, NF LA TUSA 15)

Top 16:
Chloe Burkett (T15 18, T10 17, T15 LA TUSA 16, T10 15, NF 14)
Mariah Clayton (T15 16)
Avery Greene (4RU 18, SF TX USA 17, SF 16)
Emma Key (T10 18, T18 14)
Sylvia Masters (T15 18)
Tajá White

Congeniality: DeAudrea Horne
Photogenic: Avery Greene

Swimsuit: Anna Kirksey
Evening Gown: Tanya Crowe
Interview: DeAudrea Horne

People's Choice: Alyssa Bradley
Online Favourite: Avery Greene

Victoria Paul, Tanya Crowe, DeAudrea Horne, Anna Kirksey, Alyssa Bradley

Miss LA Teen USA 2019: Emma McAllister (3RU 18)
1RU: Grace Petry (1RU 18, NF 17)
2RU: Sydni Terradot
3RU: Ryleigh Magee (4RU 18)
4RU: Kylie Morgan

Top 10:
Jillian Elliott (T15 18)
Avery Jeffcoat
Leanna Lanford
Micaiah McZeal
Jasmine Shiloh

Top 16:
Layna Baker (T15 18)
Caroline Colvin (NF 18, NF 16)
Hallie Kent (NF 18)
Jillian Maxwell (NF 18)
Sarah Pace
Kinyson Voges

Congeniality: Avery Jeffcoat
Photogenic: Layna Baker

Activewear: Leanna Lanford
Evening Gown: Grace Petry
Interview: Avery Jeffcoat

People's Choice: Kinyson Voges
Online Favourite: Sarah Pace

Emma Brooks McAllister, Grace Petry, Sydni Terradot, Ryleigh Magee, Kylie Morgan

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Miss Louisiana USA & Teen USA 2019 contestant rundown

10/3/2018

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Miss Louisiana USA & Teen USA is being held this weekend, with both shows at 7.30 pm CST. Typically this is webcast but I don't have a link yet. There are 24 Miss contestants, down 4 on last year but down 10-20 on the previous few years, and 25 Teen contestants, down about a quarter on the last few years and 40% on 2007-2009. For the first time they are doing a People's Choice award this year, with the winner getting a guaranteed spot in the semi-finals.

Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2012 Marlee Henry is competing in Miss for the second time, she was 1st runner-up in 2017. She is vying to be the fifth former Teen from Louisiana to win the Miss title. Three of last year's Miss top five are returning: 1RU Anna Kirksey, 2RU Victoria Paul and 4RU Avery Greene. Anna & Victoria were also semi-finalists in 2017 and Avery was a semi-finalist in Texas in 2017 & 2016.

Three of last year's Miss top 10 bracket are back, Tanya Crowe (who was also a runner-up in 2017 & 2015), Emma Key and Josie Stephens. From the top 15 Chloe Burkett (also top 10 in 2017, top 15 in Teen in 2016 & top 10 in Teen in 2015) and Sylvia Masters are back. Ali Williams made top 10 in 2017 & top 15 in 2016, Mariah Clayton was top 15 in 2016, and Catherine Miller made the Teen top 10 in 2016.

Contestants mentioned above & a few others that caught my eye: Marlee Henry, Anna Kirksey, Victoria Paul, Avery Greene | Tanya Crowe, Emma Key, Josie Stephens, Chloe Burkett | Sylvia Masters, Ali Williams, Mariah Clayton, Catherine Miller | Jordyn McKey, DeAudrea Horne, Olivia Rackley, Erin Ledet

In Teen, 2018 first runner-up Grace Petry, third runner-up Emma Brooks McAlister and fourth runner-up Rylee Magee are all competing again - you can see their gown photos from last year here. None of last year's top 10 are back but Jillian Elliott & Layna Baker from the top 15 are competing.

Contestants mentioned above & a few others that caught my eye: Grace Petry, Emma Brooks McAlister, Rylee Magee, Jillian Elliot | Layna Baker, Kylie Morgan, Sarah Pace, Asia Guillard

Louisiana is an interesting state, because in the last 20 years the only contestant to win the Miss Louisiana USA title with no prior Miss or Teen USA experience is Candace Bennatt in 2015 - and as she is a former Miss New Mexico & had competed at Miss America, it's hard to count her as a newcomer! ;) . In the last decade, 7 of the Miss winners had previously been a runner-up in either Miss or Teen, or a former Teen titleholder (& 2 more had been top 10 the year before they won).

In Teen the trend is not so strong, however 5 of the last 10 winners were top 10 the year previously. Outgoing titleholder Lindsey Conque was, however, the first returning runner-up to win since 2008.

2018 top fives are below - returning contestants are marked with an asterisk.

2018 Miss Top Five | Avery Greene *(4RU), Victoria Paul* (2RU), Lauren Vizza (Miss LA USA), Anna Kirksey* (1RU), Madeline Langlinais (3RU)

2018 Teen Top Five | Ryleigh Magee* (4RU), Katie Scannell (2RU), Lindsey Conque (Miss LA Teen USA), Grace Petry* (1RU), Emma Brooks McAllister* (3RU)

Click "read more" below or scroll down for the complete lists of contestants with notes of past placements.

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Miss Louisiana USA & Teen USA contestant commentary

9/28/2016

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Miss Louisiana USA & Teen USA 2017 will be crowned in Metairie on Saturday the 8th of October. It is the first time being held in Metairie after many years in Lafayette, and there is also a new webcast provider.

Louisiana has been one of the more stable states in terms of contestant numbers since 2009 and again, both the Miss and Teen division numbers are similar to recent years. The biggest drop has been the Teen numbers in 2007 & 2008 (and I would assume prior to that, my numbers only start in 07) compared to any year from 2009 on - there were once 50-60 teens in Louisiana, since 2009 an average of only 34.

Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2012, Marlee Henry will be only the second former Teen titleholder in the past decade to compete for the Miss title - her predecessor Brittany Guidry won the title on her first attempt in 2014. Three of last year's Miss LA USA runners-up are returning: 1RU Bethany Trahan, 2RU Lauren Vizza, and 3RU Scarlett Blades. Lauren was Miss Louisiana 2012 and will be competing for the fourth time. All five of last year's remaining top ten group are also back, including my perennial favourite Devin Boyd who is competing again thanks to the recent age extension. The other four are Rachel North, Helena Cefalu, Krista Toussaint and Kimberly Newville. 2015 third runner-up Tanya Crowe, whose non-finalist placement totally shocked me last year (I had her in my top five after prelims, go figure!) is back - I'm glad she wasn't scared away!!!

2015 winner Candice Bennatt was the first winner with no prior Miss LA USA or Teen USA experience to win in over 17 years - and she was a former Miss New Mexico titleholder & Miss America contestant. It will be interesting to see if that trend continues this year!

Eight of last year's top ten are competing this year: Bethany Trahan, Lauren Vizza, Scarlett Blades, Kimberly Newville, Devin Boyd, Rachel North, Helena Cefalu, Krista Toussaint

The Teen group is made up of predominantly new contestants. Two-time first runner-up Katie Scannell, who came second to future Miss Teen USA Katherine Haik in 2015 and to Ellie Picone last year, is having another shot at the title - wearing the Red Stick sash that she had as 1RU to Katherine. 2016 third runner-up Emily Davis, another favourite of mine last year, has also returned. The only other contestant from last year's top fifteen is Hailey Crausby who made the top ten last year. 2015 top ten finalist Emma Johnson, who was a non-finalist last year, is competing as well. By the looks of things the sister of Bethany Trahan is competing in the Teen division, also representing Calcasieu.

The last two Teen winners have been newcomers, whilst the three before them had placed in the top ten the year prior to their victory.

Click "read more" or scroll below to view the full list of contestants

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Miss Louisiana USA & Teen USA 2016 contestant commentary

10/21/2015

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Update - congratulations to Maaliyah Papillon Miss LA USA and Ellie Picone Miss LA Teen USA!

Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2016 will be held this Saturday, as Miss Teen USA Katherine Haik will be celebrated by her home state. Contestant photos are posted here (Miss) and here (Teen). Also check out the Fantasy Campers - they might be your next Miss Teen USA in a few years! Katherine herself went from Fantasy Camper in 2014, to Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2015, to Miss Teen USA :)

Miss

(Despite the roster being packed with returning contestants Louisiana is missing some of its perennial and most well-known competitors this year: Lauren Whittle has aged out, Whitney Moss is getting married, Madeleine Langlinais is not competing.

From last year's top five the only returning contestant is third runner-up Tanya Crowe who was competing for the first time last year. Six-time contestant and past runner-up Devin Boyd is back, however, as is Maaliyah Papillon, three-time Teen runner-up and top 10 semi-finalist last year. There is also Bailey Armstrong, second runner-up to Katherine in the Teen pageant last year and first runner-up the year before, who has moved up to the Miss division. Christina Famularo, second runner-up in 2012 and a semi-finalist twice since is also back. Lauren Vizza, Miss Louisiana 2012 and a two-time semi-finalist, will be hoping to be crowned by her Miss America sister! (outgoing Miss LA USA Candice Bennatt was Miss NM 2012).

Candice was the first contestant with no prior Miss or Teen USA state experience to win Miss Louisiana USA in at least 17 years - but given she'd previously competed at Miss America it's hard to class her as a "true" newbie. Will be interesting to see if another newcomer can break through this year. Louisiana past state results are here.

Also interesting to note another year with no former Teens competing. With the exception of Brittany Guidry in 2014, there have been no other former Teens back in Louisiana since 2007! (more stats & photos on that here)

Teen

All three of Katherine's other runners-up are back - check here for swimsuit & gown pics from last year.. They are first runner-up Katie Scannell, third runner-up Chelsea Armand (who was also fourth runner-up in 2014) and fourth runner-up Paige Goff. Other returning semi-finalists are Chloe Burkett (T10 15), Emma Johnson (T10 15) and J'Lynn Shelby (T15 15).

* denotes 2016 Miss contestant | ^ denotes 2016 Teen contestant: