Miss Oregon USA 2023 is Manju Bangalore of Benton County


Miss Benton County, Manju Bangalore, was crowned Miss Oregon USA 2023 on Saturday, October 15 at the Sherwood Center for the Arts in Sherwood, Oregon.

The 25-year-old physicist, actor, model, and founder of two nonprofits edged out over 20 other competitors to win the state title in her third attempt. She succeeds last year's winner Arielle Freytag and will now prepare to represent Oregon at Miss USA 2023.

"As an Oregonian, this has been a dream of mine for so long and I'm just in shock," she excitedly told her predecessor in a video clip shortly after winning her title.

"It's literally surreal, I mean, this is the pageant that I grew up watching, like admiring all the intelligent, beautiful, strong girls. I'm just in shock," she added.

Rounding out the Top 5 finalists were Miss Klamath Falls, Amulya Chava; Miss Progress Ridge, Brooklyn Lowery; Miss Multnomah County, Kelly Smith; and Miss West Portland, Aly Nordie.

The new Miss Oregon USA is also an aspiring astronaut who has worked at two NASA centers and in the White House. She is currently enrolled in a postgraduate program training her to go to space one day.

In addition to her scientific accomplishments, her acting and modeling careers have taken her from working with Beyoncé to shooting with Sports Illustrated.

Manju founded two nonprofits, the Operation Period, and Painting With Parkinson's, to advocate for causes closest to her heart.

Apart from Miss Oregon USA, Miss Oregon Teen USA 2023 Isabella Ellsworth of Happy Valley was also crowned at the same venue over the weekend. She will proceed to compete in the Miss Teen USA 2023 pageant.

Meet the new Miss Oregon USA:


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