The Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952, and one of its purposes was to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant.
The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA.
The Miss USA pageant was conceived in 1950 when Yolande Betbeze, winner of the rival Miss America pageant, refused to pose for publicity pictures while wearing a swimsuit. Pageant sponsor Catalina decided to pull their sponsorship off the pageant, and create their own competition.
Other owners have included a subsidiary of Gulf+Western Industries, ITT Corporation, and billionaire Donald Trump, the current owner who bought the pageant in 1996.
Some Miss USA winners, five of them, have also competed at Miss America. Even others have gone on to pursue careers in the entertainment industry.
Those who have been successful in the industry include Summer Bartholomew, Deborah Shelton, Laura Martinez-Herring, Shanna Moakler, Ali Landry, Kenya Moore, Brandi Sherwood, Susie Castillo and Shandi Finnessey.
Miss USA 2011 is Alyssa Campanella, the current titleholder, who competed as Miss California USA - Congratulations Alyssa!
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