Miss Virginia USA 2023 is Ashley Williams


Florida native Ashley Williams was crowned Miss Virginia USA 2023 on Sunday, April 30 at the Merchant Hall of the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas.

The 24-year-old former NFL cheerleader for Miami Dolphins holds a degree in psychology from the University of Florida. She will now represent Virginia at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada.

"BLESSED is an understatement. What an honor it is to be the new Miss Virginia USA 2023! Thank you [Nicewonderful Productions] for welcoming this pageant rookie with open arms. I’m so excited for the year ahead," she wrote on social media after winning her title.

Rounding out the Top 6 finalists were first runner-up Mary McGeorge, second runner-up Justus Kelley, third runner-up Elizabeth McReynolds, fourth runner-up Gracyn Blackmore, and fifth runner-up Sarah Miranda.

Another Ashley, Miss Virginia Teen USA 2023 Ashley Wang, who will proceed to Miss Teen USA 2023, was also proclaimed during Sunday's glittering event. Emma McReynolds, Hulia Allen, Macie Ratliff, Amarisee Coward, and Grace Richmond were her court of five runners-up.

The winners from last year, Kailee Horvath and Hannah Grau, crowned their respective successors at the end of the competition.

Crowning moment:

Photo: Ashley Long Creative

RELATED POSTS:


Popular posts from this blog

Miss Universe 2024: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss Universe 2024, the 73rd Miss Universe pageant will be held on November 16 at the the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico. The country known for its rich culture, ancient ruins, dazzling beaches, and incredible cuisine has been chosen to host the competition for the fifth time after 1978, 1989, 1993, and 2007. Ninety-three (93) national winners have been crowned up to this point and are all set to compete in this year's highly anticipated beauty pageant. Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios from Nicaragua will crown her successor at the end of the event. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe (@missuniverse) Meet the contestants: Albania - Franceska Rustem Argentina - Magalí Benejam Armenia - Irina Zakharova Aruba - Anouk Eman Australia - Zoe Creed Bahamas - Selvinique Wright Belgium   - Kenza Ameloot Belize - Halima Hoy Bolivia - Juliana Barrientos Bonaire - Ruby Pouchet British Virgin Islands - Deyounce Lowenfield Cambodia
Read more

Miss Universe Finland 2024 is Matilda Wirtavuori

Image
Matilda Wirtavuori was crowned Miss Suomi 2024 (Miss Universe Finland 2024) in a glittering national competition held on Saturday, September 14 at Aino Areena in Järvenpää. The 24-year-old model, host, and passionate performer from Tampere beat nine other finalists to win the national title. She succeeds last year's winner Paula Joukanen. Tiia Aalto was named first runner-up while Amanda Hakalax finished the second runner-up. Meri Turunen and Nelli Auriola were awarded the crowd and media favorites, respectively. The new Miss Universe Finland will now prepare to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Matilda is a mental health advocate who at the age of 17 suffered from anorexia. She said, "Eating disorders overshadowed my youth." "After healing, I found new confidence, strength, and light in myself and made a life mission to help others struggling with the same challenge," she added. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe:
Read more

Miss Turkey 2024: Meet the Top 20 finalists

Image
A total of 20 finalists have been selected to compete for Miss Turkey 2024 following an elimination round held on Wednesday, September 4 in Istanbul. The grand final will take place on September 11 at the Lazzoni Hotel and the winners are expected to represent Turkey at the next Miss World and Miss Supranational pageants. No competition was held last year and this year's upcoming final will be the 42nd edition of the annual national pageant. In May, the Miss Turkey Organization headed by Can Sandıkcıoğlu officially announced that it parted ways with the Miss Universe Organization after more than 40 years. Its last representative was Aleyna Şirin who competed in Miss Universe 2022 which was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA in January 2023. The national organization that achieved Turkey's first Miss World winner courtesy of Azra Akın (Miss Turkey and Miss World 2002) will continue to send contestants to Miss World and Miss Supranational. Who will become the next Miss Turkey?
Read more

Miss Universe Nepal 2024 is Sampada Ghimire

Image
Sampada Ghimire was crowned Miss Universe Nepal 2024 on Wednesday, September 11 at the Godavari Convention Hall in Lalitpur. The 23-year-old fashion model from Bhaktapur edged out 21 other contestants to win the national pageant. She will represent Nepal at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. Smriti Singh was named first runner-up while Akshita Chettri, Karren Murray, and Sujal Bam were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Nepal was second runner-up at Miss National Nepal 2023. She also bagged the Miss Top Model award. This year's Miss Universe Nepal was the first edition under the directorship of Sangita Puri. The show was hosted by renowned pageant analyst Luis Porteles and media personality Malvika Subba. "We hope you carry forward the legacy and inspire countless others along the way. Your journey has just begun, and we can't wait to see you shine on the global stage. The universe is yours to co
Read more

Miss Turkey 2024: Idil Bilgen wins Miss Turkey World 2024

Image
Idil Bilgen was crowned Miss Turkey World 2024 during the Miss Turkey 2024 national final on Wednesday, September 11 at the Lazzoni Hotel in Istanbul. The 24-year-old medical doctor bested 19 other competitors to win the national title. She will prepare to represent Türkiye at the 72nd Miss World whose date and venue have yet to be announced. Cemre Üker clinched the Miss Turkey Supranational 2024 crown and will head to Poland to compete in Miss Supranational 2025 next summer. Aylin Molla, Melissa Öykü Yorulmaz, Candan Şeviktürk rounded out the Top 5 finalists. Miss Turkey World 2022 Nursena Say, Miss Turkey Universe 2022 Aleyna Tacirin and Miss Turkey Supranational 2022 Selin Erberk Gurdikyan relinquished their reigns at the end of the event. Meet the new Miss Turkey World: View this post on Instagram A post shared by missturkey.official (@missturkey.official) Photos: Miss Turkey / Instagram
Read more

Plus-sized Sara Milliken crowned Miss Alabama for National American Miss 2024

Image
Plus-sized beauty Sara Milliken was crowned the National American Miss Alabama 2024 during the state final held on May 27 at the Renaissance Marriot in Montgomery. The 23-year-old model and mental health advocate from Atmore, Alabama is now expected to represent her home state at the National American Miss 2024 competition later this year. "This is a dream that has been 8 years in the making for me," said the new National American Miss Alabama who first joined the state pageant when she was 15 years old. After enduring bullying upon her return at the age of 16, she decided to take a break from joining for 7 years. However, this year, she mustered up the courage to give the crown another shot. "I returned to the NAM stage to prove to myself I didn't give up. I could do this. I was more than the mean things that was said to me," Sara wrote online. "I was authentically myself. I had fun. I had the most genuine smile on my face. I wasn't perfect." In r
Read more

Miss Universe Spain 2024 is Michelle Jiménez from Balearic Islands

Image
Miss Islas Baleares, Michelle Jiménez, was crowned Miss Universe Spain 2024 during the national competition held on Wednesday, September 11 in the municipality of Guía de Isora in Tenerife. The 21-year-old model triumphed over 16 other contestants to win the national title. She will represent Spain at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Paula Pérez of Comunidad Valenciana and Ana Rosa Rodríguez of Andalucía were named the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Lara Doval of Cataluña and Dori Rodríguez of Navarra were the rest of the Top 5 finalists. Completing the Top 10 were Zulema Vázquez of Galicia, Francesca Carrillo of Asturias, Cristine Gall of Comunidad de Madrid, Elena Macías of Canarias, and Chaima Ouali of Castilla La Mancha. The new Miss Universe Spain succeeds last year's winner Athenea Pérez, who made the Top 10 and bagged the Miss Congeniality award at Miss Universe 2023 last November in El Salvador. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe:
Read more

Miss Universe Czech Republic 2024 is Marie Danči

Image
Marie Danči has recently been appointed Miss Universe Czech Republic 2024 by the Česká Miss Essens organization. The 27-year-old model from Krnov will represent the Czech Republic at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. No stranger to pageantry, Marie placed second runner-up at the Česká Miss 2022 competition and participated in Miss Global 2023 in Cambodia. Aside from modeling, the new Miss Universe Czech Republic is also active in film and theater. Marie succeeds last year's titleholder Vanesa Švédová. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marie Danči (@marie.danci) Photos: Česká Miss Essens, Marie Danči / Instagram
Read more

Miss Alabama USA 2024 is Diane Westhoven

Image
Miss Southern Plains, Diane Westhoven was crowned Miss Alabama USA 2024 during the state final on Saturday, June 1 at Auburn University's Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center. The 21-year-old student from Birmingham will now prepare to represent Alabama at Miss USA 2024 this summer in Hollywood, California. She succeeds Sophie Burzynski, last year's winner and Miss USA 2023 Top 20 semifinalist. Diane is currently studying psychology at Auburn University with the goal of empowering others to feel confident in their physical and emotional well-being. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RPM Productions, Inc (@rpmproductions) FINAL RESULTS Miss Alabama USA 2024 - Diane Westhoven (Southern Plains) 1st runner-up - Ashlyn Powers (Fairhope) 2nd runner-up - Allyssa Weyant (Lake Jordan) 3rd runner-up - Olivia Burchfield (Magic City) 4th runner-up - Halle Sullivan (Northport) TOP 10 Maleigha Lewis (Enterprise) Melody Mills (Bailey Cove) Margaret Anne Mc
Read more

Miss Universe Vietnam 2024 is Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen

Image
Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen was crowned Miss Universe Vietnam 2024 during the national competition held on Saturday, September 14 at the Phu Tho Indoor Sport Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City. The 28-year-old model from Nam Dinh will now prepare to represent Vietnam at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico this November. She succeeds last year's winner Quynh Hoa Bui. Nguyen Quynh Anh and Vu Thuy Quynh were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Paris Bao Nhi and Quach Tapiau Maily were the rest of the Top 5 finalists. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Vietnam is a former Miss Vietnam winner in 2014. Last year, she was a mentor in season 4 of "The Face Vietnam," a Vietnamese modeling-themed reality TV series. Road to the 73rd Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen (@kyduyen1311) Photos: Miss Universe Vietnam, Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen / Instagram
Read more