Miss USA 2017 Kara McCullough (pictured) will crown her successor at the 2018 Miss USA pageant at George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Well, well, what do you know? The 2018 Miss USA winner will now be chosen by a "selection committee" - which is a politically correct term for "judges." For some reason, the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has found the word "judge" rather unpleasant and trivial. Not only that, but the "selection committee" will comprise of an all-female jury. That's right. Miss USA has gone sexist! Not one male judge on the panel, not even a gay one. Hmmm.
Here's the report from The Shreveport Times:
The selection committee has been announced for the 2018 Miss USA competition that will be held in Shreveport on May 21.
For the first time, Miss USA will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of female entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry experts—including former Miss USA contestants—offering a depth of expertise, insight and sustained commitment previously unavailable from one-off telecast judges.
The committee’s diverse perspectives and industry knowledge will help The Miss Universe organization to determine the woman who will become integral to the ongoing growth of the company as a spokesperson for the brand.
The selection committee includes:
Natasha Curry: Award-winning television host and anchor of HLN’s Weekend Express with Natasha Curry; Miss Washington USA 1998.
Jamie Kern Lima: Founder & CEO of IT Cosmetics, which recently became the largest acquisition in L’Oreal history, making Jamie the first female CEO in L’Oréal’s 100+ year history; 2017 Forbes Magazine’s Most Successful Self-Made Women List; Miss Washington USA 2000.
Crystle Stewart: Television host, model and actress; founder of MISS Academy (Manners, Image, Style, and Success), an organization committed to translating traditional values through pop culture; Miss USA 2008.
Lilliana Vazquez: Emmy Award-winning host and producer, TODAY show contributor and style expert.
Denise White: Founder and CEO of EAG Sports Management, one of the most powerful and influential sports management and PR/crisis management firms of professional sports; Miss Oregon USA 1994.
The 2018 Miss USA pageant will air live from George's Pond in Shreveport on the Fox network at 7 p.m. CST May 21.
Source: The Shreveport Times, 5/17/2018