2nd runner-up 2020, 1st runner-up 2019
A native of Hurley and the first Mississippi titleholder from the Gulf Coast for many decades, Bailey Mae Anderson was crowned Miss Mississippi USA on 13 March 2021 and represented Mississippi at the Miss USA 2021 pageant in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She worked as a neonatal nurse in Mobile during her reign.
Bailey Anderson is a 22 year old native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She is the daughter of Eddie and Shelley Anderson and is followed by a younger brother, Alex. Her dachshund Snickles is also a very important member of the family alongside the two family dogs, Buddy and Sage. Growing up in a small town, family was always a vital aspect of her life. Bailey graduated from East Central High School in 2017 with Highest Honors and an Advanced Diploma. Upon graduating, Bailey attended The University of West Alabama where she obtained an Associate Degree in Nursing and is currently completing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing online. She chose to do this route to be able to start working as a nurse sooner to obtain years of experience toward pursuing a Nurse Practitioner degree.
Bailey is now employed as a special care newborn nurse where she spends her days literally catching babies. She considers it a great privilege to witness the miracle of childbirth every day. She likes to say that she has the best job in the world, but it can be the most happy and sad place just in one single day. Through her occupation she found a passion for advocating for Women’s Health. Mississippi actually has the highest infant mortality rate in the country as well as lowest rate of early prenatal care in pregnant women. As a proud partner of the Mississippi Health Department’s Healthy Moms and Healthy Babies of Mississippi program, she advocates for prenatal care access for pregnant mothers. Another cause that is dear to her is the Alzheimer’s Association of Mississippi. Her Nay-Nay has Alzheimer’s, and she hopes that one day a cure will be found to end the horrible disease.
Bailey was crowned Miss Mississippi USA in March of 2021 on her third time vying for the title. This was a dream in the making for many years, for she once was a young girl who watched the “big tv pageant” each year with her mom. It was a dream that seemed out of reach but came to fruition through hard work and belief in herself. Her first year she was first runner up at the age of 19, and the following year she was named second runner up to our current Miss USA, Asya Branch. Bailey hopes that her journey to the crown is one of inspiration to all who aspire to accomplish a dream. It is not the destination that matters most but rather the journey. Sometimes that means winning on the third or fourth try, but the waiting in the process will teach one more about themself than even imaginable. “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7. There is no greater honor than to represent the Magnolia state, and Bailey hopes to leave a legacy of being perseverant, hard-working, and a light for others as Miss Mississippi USA 2021.
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Bailey’s state pageant photos.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
Bailey first competed as a fresh 19 year old in the 2019 pageant and finished first runner-up to Madeleine Overby. In the 2020 pageant she was second runner-up to eventual Miss USA Asya Branch.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Bailey’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor Hailey White as Miss Mississippi USA 2022.
Winning a state title is a sisterhood for life. Here are Bailey’s “after the crown” photos.
