Mississippi's Asya Branch crowned Miss USA 2020

Miss Mississippi USA, Asya Branch, was crowned Miss USA 2020 in a national competition held at Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee on Monday, November 9.

The 22-year-old entrepreneur who hails from Booneville succeeded Cheslie Kryst of North Carolina. She became the first-ever black woman to represent Mississippi at Miss USA and the first-ever national winner from her state.

Idaho's Kim Layne was named first runner-up and Oklahoma's Mariah Davis finished second runner-up. Alexis Lete of Indiana and Kelly Hutchinson of Alabama were the third and fourth runners-up, respectively.

Allyshia Gupta (California), Samantha Neyland (Hawaii), Olivia Pura (Illinois), Gina Mellish (New Jersey), and Andreia Gibau (New York) were the rest of the Top 10 while Cierra Jackson (District of Columbia), Alyssa Beasley (Georgia), Mariah Clayton (Louisiana), Megan Renee Kelly (Missouri), Victoria Olona (Nevada), and Sthephanie Miranda (Ohio) completed the Top 16.

The 69th Miss USA pageant aired live on FYI and was held following health safety and security measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As someone who grew up in a home with guns, I learned at an early age how to load, how to fire, and gun safety. I think we should require people to pass training and safety courses before they are allowed to purchase a gun and before receiving a permit,” the new Miss USA said in her final statement on gun safety.

Asya will now move to New York and prepare to represent the USA at the 69th Miss Universe pageant whose date and venue have yet to be announced.

Photos: Miss Universe Organization

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