{
  "id": 3333288,
  "title": "The 35 wildest state costumes from the 2026 Miss USA pageant",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/the-35-wildest-state-costumes-from-the-2026-miss-usa-pageant",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-25T19:02:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-usa-state-costume-contest-outfits-photos-2026-8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 Miss USA pageant kicked off on Monday with the state costume contest. Contestants showcased their state pride through elaborate and colorful outfits.\n\nMiss Alabama Samantha Havenstrite paid tribute to the camelia, her state flower, with a strapless white gown featuring sculpted camelia petals and a matching headdress. She drew inspiration from the resilience of the camelia, which can bloom even in the coldest months.\n\nMiss Arizona Kaitlyn Humphrey drew inspiration from the Valentine State, wearing a sparkling red bodysuit with baby-pink feathered wings and a gold headpiece shaped like a heart. Her outfit honored Arizona's nickname as the Valentine State.\n\nMiss California Acacia McBride took inspiration from the legendary warrior queen Calafia, wearing a black-and-gold bodysuit resembling Calafia's armor and a helmet-like headpiece. McBride paid homage to Queen B by incorporating a Beyoncé-inspired bow and arrow.\n\nMiss Connecticut Jaeden Hamelly shimmered in a navy-blue bodysuit with thousands of rhinestones, representing the USS Connecticut, the submarine capital of the world. Her dramatic backpiece showcased sculpted lace waves, and she accessorized with a conical flask in each hand.\n\nMiss Delaware Julia Hatoum represented the chemical capital of the world with a silver corset and shorts beneath a white lab coat adorned with metallic hoops resembling electron shells of silicon. She depicted her career as a chemical engineer and Delaware's status as an innovative state.\n\nMiss District of Columbia Kennedy Lucas commemorated America's 250th birthday with a star-spangled ensemble featuring a red-and-blue bodysuit with gold stars and Washington Monument-inspired headpiece against a backdrop of fireworks.\n\nMiss Florida Aileen Cerchiara brought Florida's flamingo to the Miss USA stage with a pink crystal-adorned outfit featuring over 10,000 pink crystals, diamond chains, and a feathered backpiece. She accessorized with a feathered headpiece and sparkling pink boots.\n\nMiss Hawaii Darja Bassut's costume paid tribute to the hibiscus, her state flower, featuring a centerpiece of large crimson hibiscus petals on her back. Her ensemble also included a sparkling yellow bodysuit, feathered headpiece, and nail art in hibiscus colors.",
  "summary": "The Miss USA 2026 pageant kicked off on Monday with the costume contest, where contestants wore colorful outfits that paid tribute to their states.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Insider",
        "title": "Miss USA and Miss America are not the same pageant. Here's how to tell the difference.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/miss-usa-and-miss-america-are-not-the-same-pageant-heres-how-to-tell",
        "published": "2026-08-25T12:46:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}