Miss Arizona USA 2023 is Candace Kanavel of Tempe


Candace Kanavel was crowned Miss Arizona USA 2023 on Monday, May 29 at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert, Arizona.

The 27-year-old Arizona State University alumna and police officer from Tempe will now represent her home state at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada this fall. She succeeds last year's winner Isabel Ticlo after trying to win the title for several years.

Jordyn Owen, Khayla Munir, Zari Chacon, Sammi Landsman, and Victoria Jackson were declared the runners-up to the new Miss Arizona USA.

"Is this real life?! So excited and honored to represent the state of Arizona as your Miss Arizona USA 2023," Candace wrote in a statement on social media.

"It’s true when they say it takes a village, and I couldn’t have done this without mine," she added and went on to thank the people who made her victory possible.

Her message for her fellow competitors: "To my amazing class, you are beautiful, inspiring, intelligent, and kind. This isn’t just my win, it's ours & I'm so grateful to know you all."

The title of Miss Arizona Teen USA 2023 went to 18-year-old Peyton Stuewe of Goodyear. She was crowned by her predecessor MayaDenise Gaskin and will now prepare for Miss Teen USA 2023 later this year.

Her court of runners-up consists of Makena Hook, Maddy Kunis, Sophie Clyne, Billie Fechter, and Helena Reardon.

Miss Arizona USA's crowning moment:

Photos: Michael Franco, Isabel Ticlo / Instagram

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