Crystle Stewart of Missouri City in Texas Crowned as Miss USA

During one of the year's most exciting live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose A 26-year-old entrepreneur from Texas, Crystle Stewart, as MISS USA® 2008. Crystle Stewart, of Missouri City, Texas, runs a party-planning and motivational speaking company, as well as modeling professionally. She edged out first runner-up Leah Laviano of Mississippi and Tiffany Andrade of New Jersey. She says she wants to dedicate her life to international philanthropy.

Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith relinquished the crown and the posh New York apartment that comes with it in a show aired live by NBC with hosts Donny and Marie Osmond hosted the 57th Annual MISS USA Pageant from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in one of the world’s most electrifying cities, Las Vegas Strip. The network co-owns the parent Miss Universe Organization with Donald Trump.

Ms. Stewart completed her degree in Consumer Science and Merchandising at the University of Houston. She founded and runs her business "Inside/Out" which aids young women in building self-esteem and volunteers with many organizations in the community. She won a silver medal in the relay at Jr. Olympics and is a fourth generation educator.

Stewart will compete in the Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam in July. She also becomes a spokeswoman for breast and ovarian cancer awareness and other causes, while traveling to promote the organization.

Miss USA contestants are scored in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Miss Alaska USA, Courtney Erin Carroll, was chosen "Miss Photogenic USA" based on voting at the organization's Web site. The other contestants named Miss Ohio USA, Monica Day, "Miss Congeniality." Unlike the rival Miss America, Miss USA contestants are not asked to perform a talent.

The judging panel for the 2008 Miss USA® Pageant included: Heather Mills, contestant on season four of "Dancing With the Stars"; Rob Schneider, star of "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry"; Joey Fatone, host of "The Singing Bee"; Kristian Alfonso, entrepreneur and star of NBC's "Days of our Lives"; Olympic gold-medal swimmer Amanda Beard; Christian Siriano, this season's winner of Bravo's hit show "Project Runway"; San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman; celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves; Kelly Carlson, star of "Nip/Tuck"; founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood International, Inc. Robert Earl and Vanity Fair's celebrity journalist George Wayne.

Throughout the two-hour event, the contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. During these competitions, the "Top Five" finalists were selected before the crowning.
Rachel Smith, MISS USA 2007, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, where rock band Finger Eleven performed their hit song "Paralyzer" before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 250 million.

During her reign, Crystle will work with the official causes of Miss USA, which include breast and ovarian cancer education, research, and legislation. She will travel nationwide as an advocate for organizations such as the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, the National Breast Cancer Coalition, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Gilda's Club, among others.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the Miss UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (NBC) partnership.

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