SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2013 Finals, Miss Connecticut USA is new Miss USA + Evening Gown Recap!

 OMG! --Erin Brady Miss Connecticut USA gets crowned Miss USA 2013 by Nana Meriwether Miss USA 2012--PH Live Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas

Last night were the Finals of the 62nd annual Miss USA pageant. The winner was the beautiful 25-year-old 5' 8" tall Erin Brady "Miss Connecticut USA". She beat out 50 other lovely women representing all the United States plus the District of Columbia for the coveted title. Erin is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a degree in Finance and a minor in Criminal Justice and according to her Miss USA bio, she would like to pursue an MBA in the near future.

 Miss USA 2013 Erin Brady

Also, according to her bio, she is a Financial Accountant, well up until last night. Now, she will spend a year traveling around the country as Miss USA 2013, and calling a NYC apartment home. She will also represent USA in the 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which announced last night--will take place in November in Moscow Russia.

 Neon Girl: Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady (and new Miss USA) as she introduced herself at last night's Miss USA 2013 Finals--PH Live Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas

 Ab Fab: Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady, during last night's Miss USA 2013 Swimsuit Competition

The new Miss USA, Erin Brady reminds me slightly of ...

 Dayana Mendoza Miss Universe 2008--In addition, a fellow pageant aficionado and friend of mine also pointed out how the new Miss USA looks a lot like the current Miss Venezuela Earth 2012 Alyz Henrich

The Final Two: Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady (left) and Miss Alabama USA Mary-Margaret McCord (right) hold on for dear life as the winner is announced. Miss Alabama USA was a top favorite among pageant watchers to win the top title. But alas, it was Miss Connecticut's win. Besides being so pretty, having great stage presence, I think Erin won the title by just being REAL. Especially during the Q&A and Final Question, Miss Connecticut USA (the eventual winner) answered without sounding like a robotic or way-too-pageant-trained contestant; she sounded real. And that is what made the judges give the title to her. At least, that was my observation as a viewer. Now, speaking of Final Questions and Bad Pageant Coaching...let's discuss...

The #EpicFail #FinalQuestionTrainWreck Moment of Miss USA 2013 Finals:

Oooh Gurl! Co-host Giuliana Rancic is counting how many jaws have dropped in the audience as Miss Utah USA Marissa Powell tries to answer-or shall I say--fumbles answering her Final Question...

You Blew It Huney: Giuliana's face is priceless, especially next to Miss Utah USA Marissa Powell's. Giuliana knows what just happened and yet Marissa is doing her best Pageant Betty smile. Miss Utah USA was one of the top favorites to win the entire thing (she had one of the Most Beautiful Faces in the pageant and in fact won "Miss Photogenic" last night), but it was this Final Question moment which made her say "Bye Bye" to the crown. Judge Nene Lekes asked Marissa a question about income inequalities between men and women in the US. Miss Utah USA then went into a fumbling answer about Education and jobs. It became her "Miss South Carolina Teen USA 'And such as...' YouTube #EpicFail Moment". I have a feeling that she just drew a blank and went into her "Pageant Auto-Pilot Mode" and decided to answer something about Education since that's what she was trained to answer. It was a great example of Being Trained Too Much. These coaches need to let these girls BE REAL. In the end, however, it didn't really matter because somehow the judges still awarded her with a 3rd Runner-Up title--4th place out of six.



Here's Miss Utah USA's Final Question Moment:

Now, let's discuss The Evening Gowns:

Top Six Gown Girls: A "twist" in the finals came when Giuliana announced that in addition to the Top Five, one contestant would be "added on" via Twitter--and that was Miss Texas USA Ali Nugent on the far left in red.

Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady: The eventual Miss USA 2013, Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady, wore a strapless gown featuring a heavily sequined applique bustier and an ivory satin floor-length skirt with side front-and-back pleated drape detail. Initially I thought the asymmetrical fullness of the bottom from the waist down might have made her look bottom-heavy. It did, slightly, but for the most part, she looked quite regal and elegant. It wasn't one of my favorites of the night but well done. Oh and kids, notice NO HOOCHIE slit. And she still won.

Miss Texas USA Ali Nugent: Ali wore on my favorite gowns of the night (she also wore this for the Preliminary Competition on Wednesday night). It was a red fitted crepe gown with a plunging neckline, sheer front panel, and featuring oversized silver and mirrored paillettes. It was designed by Venezuelan fashion designer Gionni Straccia and very reminiscent (in the mirrored sequined detail) of these other gowns he has designed for past Pageant Girls in his native Venezuela:

Mirrored Paillette Girls: (left to right) Irene Esser Miss Venezuela 2011 in iridescent silver lame gown with silver and mirrored paillette accents; Miss Falcon 2012 in the Miss Venezuela 2012 pageant, wearing a canary yellow Gionni Straccia gown with--you guessed it--mirrored paillette torso detail

 Marelisa Gibson Miss Venezuela 2009--in raspberry-colored Gionni Straccia gown with silver and mirrored paillettes

It has become his signature and in my estimation, nobody does it better.

Miss Alabama USA Mary-Margaret McCord: I LOVED this gown that 1st Runner-Up and almost Miss USA 2013, Miss Alabama USA wore. It was a strapless mermaid shaped dress, UBER fitted to an 1/8 of an inch of her teeny-tiny figure, with layers upon layers of gathered and fan-pleated organza at the bottom. It was dramatic and Pageant Fab. An almost 10 in my book. She also accessorized it perfectly with Emerald Green crystal drop earrings.

Miss Illinois USA Stacie Juris: Stacie was one of my favorites of the night for her beauty, poise and presence. I also liked her fitted steel blue sheath gown  featuring sequined applique. I liked the simplicity of this dress and also the unique color, but I did wonder to myself if the judges would pick a Miss USA who was wearing such an unusual shade. Sounds silly, but when was the last time you saw someone win in this color?

Miss Louisiana USA Kristen Girault: Kristen also wore a gown from Venezuelan Pageant Go-To designer Gionni Straccia. This gown was one of my Top Gowns from the Preliminary Competition. I thought the stark ivory color against the golden jeweled midriff and harness accents were very "Cleopatra". 

Miss Nevada USA Chelsea Caswell: Chelsea looked great in this fully sequined strapless gown with high side slit. It fit her perfectly and looked amazing against her skin tone and blond hair.

Miss Utah USA Marissa Powell: When she walked on the stage during the evening gown portion--in this gown, she took my breath away. This sequined ivory and dusty rose-colored solid-to-sheer gown was a perfect frame to her STUNNING face and dark hair. She looked VERY "Miss Venezuela" at the Miss Universe pageant. But then, she had that Final Question...

Miss Ohio USA Kristin Smith: Kristin wore a canary yellow gown with a V-neckline, sequined waist and full multi-layered skirt. I liked the silhouette, the color and the on-trend embellished waist detail. Miss Ohio USA probably banked on the fact that last year's Miss USA Olivia Culpo (before
she won Miss Universe 2012) wore a similar looking gown when she won
the title (above photo) and maybe, just maybe, the same could happen to
her...

Also, I liked it because the sequined waist detail reminded me of one of my NV Nick Verreos dresses (above photo).

 Miss South Carolina USA Megan Pinckney: Megan wore a fully sequined sheath gown with a halter neckline featuring a very peek-a-boo keyhole. She looked very "Red Carpet Ready" in this and the halter style highlighted her oh-so-pretty face. Speaking of...

This year's Miss South Carolina USA Megan Pinckney reminded me so much of the beautiful Meagan Tandy Miss California USA 2007 and 3rd Runner-Up to Miss USA 2007 (wearing my NIKOLAKI gown above). They could be sisters!

Miss North Carolina Ashley Love-Mills: Finally, in my Miss USA 2013 Finals Evening own Recap, I must end it all with Miss Ashley. I gave Miss North Carolina USA the "Drag Queen Evening Gown Award" for wearing this same gown for the Preliminaries. I am so happy that she wore this dress for the Finals last night. And yes, kids, it has a sequined hot-pant leotard underneath all that fan-pleated chiffon. A Figure Skating Costume Designer is jumping up and down with joy right about now! You Go Ashley!

Congrats Erin Brady, the newly-crowned Miss USA 2013, and Best of Luck at November's Miss Universe 2013 pageant. PS: Since it's being televised LIVE and needs to be shown at 9pm NYC time, that means the actual Miss Universe pageant in Russia needs to begin LIVE at 5 AM. Now, this I gotta see!

SASHES AND TIARAS....Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition: My Favorites, with "Nick Scores" + Video!

One of the Best Gowns: Miss Texas USA Alexandria Nugent in a gown designed by Venezuelan beauty pageant designer Gionni Straccia--Miss USA 29013 Preliminaries

This last Wednesday was the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Competition (Full Video at the end of this post, in case you missed it!). This is the pre-final contest in which a separate set of judges get to pick who the semi-finalists are for Sunday night's final Miss USA 2013 pageant...

The 51 contestants--representing all the 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia--competed in Swimsuit and Evening Gown. Some of the evening gowns the contestants wore were the same as the ones I wrote about when I reviewed the "Miss USA Website Photos", but some were different (as expected). So, let's take a look at my "Nick Top Favorites" of the Preliminary Evening Gown Competition:

Miss Minnesota USA Danielle Hooper: One of THE BEST--if not the best, in Evening Gown. Michelle looked superb in this lipstick red crepe gown with a strapless peplum top section, fit-to-flare floor-length skirt and oversized jeweled neckline. She couldn't have been more perfect.  

Score: 9.9.

Miss Texas USA Alexandria Nugent: Alexandria just about stole the Evening Gown Competition on Wednesday night with this red with silver oversized paillettes gown designed by Venezuelan beauty pageant "go-to" fashion designer, the very talented Gionni Straccia. Straccia has designed gowns for Miss Venezuela's who have won Miss Universe and Miss World amongst others so, let's just say, he knows a thing or two about Pageant Gowns that Win! This gown is no exception; Alexandria looked like a Miss Venezuela in this. 

And for me, that gets her a 9.9 as well.

Miss Michigan USA Jaclyn Schultz: Jaclyn wore this green applique over nude gown with long sleeves and looked fabulous. I know that we have seen variations of this for a while (Hello Miss Croatia at Miss Universe 2012!) so some would argue it's a bit "pageant tired" but I disagree: It's all very good.  

Score: 9.87

Miss Mississippi USA Paromita Mitra: When she stepped onto the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary stage, I thought "Wow, she looks like a 'Miss Venezuela' contestant". Well, of course she does. The Bangladeshi-born Paromita wore a gold sequined and ivory crepe gown from Venezuelan fashion designer Gionni Straccia. This was one of my favorites gowns of the Prelims--not just for the style of the dress--but the way Paromita WORKED IT.

Score: 9.79

Miss Louisiana USA Kristen Girault: Kristen also wore an ivory and gold sequined gown from Venezuelan fashion designer Gionni Straccia. It was similar to Miss Mississippi USA's gown. But it was still striking and very impacting; very "Cleopatra in the Louisiana Bayou".  I'm not a huge fan of the thick beaded halter straps, maybe if they were thinner? 

Score: 9.65

Miss Kansas USA Staci Klinginsmith: Staci wore a midnight blue gown with a keyhole front and draped front and flared bottom section. I thought the gown was elegant and red carpet appropriate and I thought the embellished neckline was very "on-trend". Very well done Miss Kansas USA".  

Score: 9.62.

Miss Georgia USA Brittany Sharp: One of my favorites for the crown is this lovely woman, Brittany Sharp Miss Georgia USA. For the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition, she wore a cap-sleeved ivory and silver sequined gown with a plunging neckline. I liked this gown and I liked this on her. It doesn't have any "red carpet"/runway couture fabulousness but somehow, it still got my attention. 

Score:  9.5.

Miss Idaho USA Marissa Wickland: I absolutely LOVE the color of Marissa's gown--a royal blue chiffon gown with ruched bust and silver sequined accents. It's beautiful. Is it very "Pageant Safe"? Maybe. But it looks DIVINE on her.

Score: 9.49

Miss Washington USA Cassandra Searles: Cassandra has got some piercing eyes--and dark hair to contrast them. This emerald green satin gown with ruched bust and over-skirt detail is quite dramatic and works for Miss Washington USA. I liked it in her Miss USA 2013 Website photos...and I like it even more here at the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Competition. 

Score: 9.47

 

Miss Massachusetts USA Sarah Kidd: Elegant, Ivory Princess, very "Gionni Straccia-Lite" (with the turquoise crystal accents at the high-hip and shoulders). Sarah looks very "Grecian Goddess". Therefore: I like it. 

Score: 9.45

Miss West Virginia USA Chlesea Welch: First off, this gown is a bit of a "Pageant Throw-Back". It is a little bit 2002 with it's fully applique main gown and the sunburst pleated chiffon "overskirt". But Chlesea makes it look fairly fresh. I would have prefered this beautiful woman to wear something a bitb more up-to-date but this creme-yellow gown is not that bad.

Score: 9.20.

Miss Vermont USA Sarah Westbrook: Sarah looks very pretty in this strapless gold-and-silver sequined applique bodice gown with attached sunburst pleated chiffon full skirt.She looks very "Pageant Perfect" in this. It's nothing fashion runway earth-shattering, but if you are going for a typical pageant look, this was a good one for Sarah and the fit is perfect.

Score: 9.00.



***Up Next: The Slit Queens, Evening Gown Color Trends and the Pageant Betty's of the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition



Missed the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Competition? Watch it in full below:

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2013 Evening Gown Website Photos, The SLIT Queens, Pageant Betty's & "Oh Dear's!"

Miss Tennessee USA 2013 Brenna Mader--Watch out Ladies, she might steal your HUSBAND!

In my last SASHES AND TIARAS post, I discussed my Faves from the Miss USA 2013 Website Evening Gown "Portraits" that were released last week prior to the upcoming Preliminaries (this Wednesday!) and Finals on June 16th. Now, as we know (if you are a Beauty Pageant aficionado--or a Missosologist, the term for a "Pageant Follower"), these evening gowns in the Miss USA 2013 Website Portraits may or may not be the actual gowns the contestants wear during the all-important Preliminary Competition as well as the Finals once they get chosen as a Semi-Finalist.

 Last year's Top Five at the Miss USA 2012 finals, in their evening gowns

A lot of times, the girls "bust out" with a new "Super Duper" gown that they have secretly held in the back of their closet just for that moment. But, at the same time, many will just wear the same gowns worn in these portraits, whether they should or not...Anyhow, without further ado, here is my Part Two Miss USA 2013 Evening Gown Website Photos Review--





Let's start with the Sex-a-Licious Slit Queens:

Miss Alabama USA 2013 Mary Margaret McCord--Mary Margaret is all things Sex-a-Licious in this super Va-Va-Voom of a gown. It's PLUNGING up there and PLUNGING down there. First off, she's got the super high side slit, and secondly, her "sisters" are all out on display for all of America to see. Not sure if this gown is just way too distracting for the judges to even take her seriously. Don't get me wrong, she looks beautiful, but it is certainly a LOT of look.

Miss Tennessee USA 2013 Brenna Mader--Brenna began this posting with this red hot gown with, yes, a slit up to there and very exposed top section with an open back. Once again, Miss Tennessee USA Brenna Mader, fills the "Slit Queen" requisite here but then takes it too a "Oh Girl!" moment with the rest of the gown. Like I said in the beginning, this is the girl who will steal your huzzzband ladies (in this dress) so watch out! On a good note: LOVE those gold strappy heels!

Miss Virginia USA 2013 Shannon McAnally--Shannon is a beautiful girl (like all the others of course!), and while she does look serene in this ivory gown with a slit/opening at the side, it's both the pose and wide thigh exposure that makes it look as if she's about to do something very, very naughty.

Miss Nevada USA 2013 Chelsea Caswell--Chelsea is in the "Slit Queen" category, naturally because of this black sequined gown with a high side slit. I actually like this gown; it's got Glamour, red carpet sparkle and fits her well. Not sure if I would have accessorized it with nude pumps (black strappy ones might have been better), and the Uber-platform is becoming very tired.

Miss California USA 2013 Mabelynn Capeluj--Mabelynn chose this strapless shirred chiffon gown with a beaded waistband and high side slit for her "Miss USA Evening Gown Portrait". She looks sweet enough but yet again, it's the "See my entire thigh and leg" pose and come-hither face tilt that takes her to a "Sex-a-Licious" moment. The big ol' red hoop earrings are a tad too "Cha-Cha", even for me (I Love a good "Cha-Cha"!). I don't actually dislike the dress, it is more the pose and styling that is the problem.

Miss Alaska USA 2013 Melissa McKinney--Three words: Go On Melissa. She's vibing "Cleopatra" in this ivory gown with center front slit, plunging front keyhole and gold and silver sequined neck-plate. I like this gown, but...I only wish the front keyhole wasn't so...deep. It didn't need to be. She's already got the front slit happening. But I know, when it comes to Pageant Gowns and these Pageant girls, too much is never enough. I may not agree with it, but what can I do.

Miss Oregon USA 2013 Gabrielle Neilan--Gabrielle looks pretty in this white with beaded torso dress with a side slit. It's very "Pageant 101" and frankly not very original; safe in fact, and something I could have seen at the Miss USA 1998" pageant. Yes, that's FIFTEEN years ago.

Miss Illinois USA 2013 Stacie Juris--Stacy wore this strapless red applique with nude backing gown with a high-lo silhouette. It reminded me A LOT of a NIKOLAKI custom gown I created for "Entertainment Tonight's" co-anchor (at the time she was with "Access Hollywood"), the GORGEOUS Nancy O'Dell, when she co-hosted the Miss Universe 2006 pageant with Carlos Ponce (see above). I like the way the gown fits on Stacie and the nude/red colors work well. This is another way of showing a SLIT...in fact it's a big ol' OPENING!

Miss New Hampshire USA 2013 Amber Faucher--Amber is my final "Slit Queen". I left her for last because she wore a slit gown but it wasn't HOOCHIE or too "Sex-a-Licious", in fact it was just right. The gown is very similar to Miss Oregon USA's but I just think this style works better on Amber. The fact that her "sister's" aren't, well, OUT THERE (like Miss Oregon's) just makes it look more elegant and less "I'm a former stripper". Just sayin'.



The Pageant Betty's:

Miss North Dakota USA 2013 Stephanie Erickson--Nothing wrong with this gown choice by Stephanie Erickson "Miss North Dakota USA", but it just looks a little dated. The top sequined section is pretty and looks expensive but the entire thing screams "Miss USA 1994" and not something more modern, reflecting the gowns one sees on the fashion runways of Milan, Paris or NY, or on the red carpet for that matter. It's very "Pageant Betty".

Miss Missouri USA 2013 Ellie Holtman--Ellie is STUNNING, and one of the tallest contestants in this year's pageant at 5'11" in height. This very "Pageant Betty" black with sequined top section dress does NOTHING for her. In my opinion, it actually ages her. She looks like a Mother-of-the-Bride. This is a gown someone's mom would pick up at their local department store's After 5/Gown section. I think Ellie can do better, I hope.

Miss New Mexico 2013 Kathleen Danzer--One shoulder: Check! Slit: Check! Red sequins: Check! This should have been super-good but the style doesn't seem very original and once again, went into "Pageant Betty" world very quickly. At least, Kathleen was wise enough not to give Pageant Betty big pouffy hair. I give her points for that.

Miss Kentucky USA 2013 Allie Leggett--I would have not expected anything less than this frothy pink mermaid-shaped concoction from a "Miss Kentucky USA". Remember this is the Land of the Kentucky Derby, colorful suits and big ol' hats! Although she does look like a Pageant Barbie (she's beyond "Pageant Betty"!), I'm kinda liking this, for just it's "I'm going to go all the way" chutzpah. Is it an "Oh Dear!" moment? Possibly, but an "Oh Dear!" that could work.



***STAY TUNED HERE for my Recap/Review of the Miss USA 2013 Preliminary Evening Gowns later this week!