“So you’re Miss America, and now you’re going to Miss Universe?”… well, not exactly. Since winning the title of Miss World America 2024, I have gotten a plethora of questions about the pageant title I currently hold. Beauty pageants have long been a staple in the world of entertainment and philanthropy, offering young women a platform to showcase their talents, intelligence, and commitment to various causes. However, not all pageants are the same. Miss America, Miss World, and Miss Universe are three of the most well-known competitions, each with distinct missions, formats, and global reach. As the current Miss World America set to compete at Miss World 2025, let me offer a short breakdown of some of their differences.

Miss World: Beauty with a Purpose

Established in 1951, Miss World is the oldest international beauty pageant. What sets it apart is its strong focus on humanitarian efforts and philanthropy through its “Beauty With a Purpose” initiative, which requires contestants to engage in charitable projects that have a meaningful social impact. The United States’ preliminary pageant to Miss World is Miss World America.

Key Features:

• International Scope: Miss World America represents her country in the global competition.
• Beauty With a Purpose: Each contestant must present a social project that demonstrates her commitment to charity and humanitarian efforts.
• Varied Competition Rounds: Rather than a swimsuit segment, Miss World incorporates challenges like the Head-to-Head Debate, Top Model, Talent, and Sports to evaluate contestants’ strengths.
• Elegant and Graceful: Miss World is known for its refined and classic image, prioritizing intelligence, social impact, and poise over just physical beauty.

Miss Universe: Glamour and Prestige

Miss Universe, first held in 1952, is often considered the most glamorous of the major pageants. Owned by the Miss Universe Organization, it is known for its emphasis on confidence, stage presence, and beauty. The United States’ preliminary to Miss Universe is the Miss USA pageant.

Key Features:

• Glamour-Focused: Contestants are judged on their ability to carry themselves with confidence and style in high-fashion evening gowns and national costumes.
• Swimsuit Round: Unlike Miss America and Miss World, Miss Universe still includes a swimsuit segment, emphasizing physical fitness and confidence.
• Advocacy and Public Speaking: While it is primarily a beauty pageant, Miss Universe has incorporated more advocacy-based elements, requiring contestants to have strong public speaking skills and a social platform.

Miss America: A Scholarship-Focused Competition

Founded in 1921, Miss America is often dubbed “the original pageant.” However, unlike its international counterparts, Miss America does not send its winner to compete in a global pageant. Instead, it serves as a scholarship program, emphasizing leadership, public speaking, and talent.

Key Features:

• No International Competition: Miss America is strictly a national competition with no further advancement to an international stage.
• Emphasis on Talent: A major portion of the competition is dedicated to the talent round, where contestants showcase singing, dancing, instrumental performances, or other unique skills.
• Scholarship-Based: The program provides educational scholarships, making it more of a personal development competition rather than a traditional beauty pageant.
• No Swimsuit Competition: In 2018, Miss America eliminated the swimsuit round, redefining itself as a competition that evaluates contestants beyond physical beauty.

As Miss World America, I have the incredible honor of representing the United States at the prestigious Miss World competition. This title allows me to bring attention to my Beauty With a Purpose project, ADRX, which raises awareness about the challenges individuals with disabilities face within the justice system. My advocacy work is at the core of my mission, aligning perfectly with Miss World’s emphasis on philanthropy and humanitarian impact.

Though Miss America, Miss World, and Miss Universe all celebrate the achievements of women, they do so in different ways. Miss America is centered on scholarships and talent, Miss World prioritizes philanthropy and humanitarian efforts, and Miss Universe embraces glamour and international appeal. Understanding these distinctions helps appreciate the unique purpose each pageant serves, whether it be education, charity, or global influence.