Semi-finalist Miss Connecticut USA 2018, 2nd runner-up 2017, Semi-finalist 2014, Semi-finalist Miss CT Teen USA 2013, 4th runner-up 2012
A native of Connecticut who resided in Providence during her reign, Jonét Nichelle was crowned Miss Rhode Island USA on 6 October 2019 and represented Rhode Island at the Miss USA 2020 pageant in Memphis, Tennessee. She cheered for the New England Patriots for two years, and received a Super Bowl pendant her rookie year.
Miss Rhode Island USA 2020 Jonét Nichelle is a 25 year old resident of North Providence Rhode Island. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Human Services from Post University in May 2017 where she was a student athlete participating in cross country, track and field, and cheerleading. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she worked as a mentor at the Beulah A.G Smith Foundation, an after school program that provided services for children who were in the DCF system who had behavioral and mental health problems.
After graduating from college, Jonét became a member of the New England Patriots Cheerleading team where she traveled to St. Maarten’s to shoot their annual swimsuit calendar and perform mission work. Jonét volunteered with the Boston’s Medical Center, Connecticut’s Children’s Hospital, and the Dana Farber Center. In addition to cheering at every home game, Jonét was able to travel to Super Bowl LIII, as well as receive her Super Bowl pendent. This year Jonét served as the dance coordinator and mentor at the Boys and Girls Club of Newport County, as well as a camp counselor for a special needs camp. Jonét currently works full time at Fuller Hospital as a mental health specialist and is a graduate student pursuing her Masters degree in Social Work.
As a former athlete Jonét always maintained a healthy lifestyle however in 2016, Jonét lost her biggest supporter, her grandfather Bill to cancer. In an effort to recover from the loss, Jonét decided to enter herself into a fitness competition, self training, and ultimately placing. Her achievement increased her passion for fitness and strengthened the connection between mental and physical health, so she became a certified personal trainer and launched an online and in person training system for her clients.
Jonét is an advocate for the LGBTQ community and the founder of “This is her, she is me: Finding the strength to walk away” a program to spread awareness and prevent domestic violence towards women. As a survivor of domestic violence, Jonét never realized how strong she was until being strong was her only option. She has attended various support groups and women’s shelters to share her story and plans to grow her organization to help those who in need and provide them with educational tools and resources.
A dancer since the age of 2, Jonét has been involved with pageantry since she was ten months old. She has participated in the Miss Universe organization since she was a teenager finishing in the top five at 2012 Miss Connecticut Teen USA. It has been Jonét’s lifelong dream to one day grace the Miss USA stage and on October 6th 2019, her dream finally became true.
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Jonét’s state pageant photos.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
There’s nothing better than watching a contestant progress from year to year! Here’s a look back at Jonét’s photos from Miss Connecticut Teen USA and Miss Connecticut USA.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Jonét’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor Karly Laliberte as Miss Rhode Island USA 2021.
Winning a state title is a sisterhood for life. Here are Jonét’s “after the crown” photos.
