# Miss America 2023

Miss America 2023 was the 95th edition of the Miss America pageant, which occurred at the Mohegan Sun on December 15, 2022.
Instead of airing on television, the pageant was streamed for the second consecutive year. Unlike the 2022 edition, which streamed on the mainstream service Peacock, the 2023 edition was available only through Pageants Live, a pageant-specific streaming service featuring a subscription price of $32.99 per month at the time with no lower-cost or event-only option available.
Emma Broyles of Alaska crowned Grace Stanke of Wisconsin as Miss America 2023 at the end of the event. Stanke became the third woman from Wisconsin won the title. Coincidentally, both Stanke and Broyles had previously competed together in Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2018.

## Background

Miss America 2023 was the 95th installment of the pageant, but the 101st Miss America anniversary. Contestants were required to be between ages 18 and 26 (born between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2003), be a United States resident or citizen, and meet the particular residency requirements of the states, municipalities, and districts they represent. Candidates must also have been in proper, good or excellent health, including being fully vaccinated from COVID-19.
U.S. state contests occurred during spring and summer 2022.

## Results
### Placements

| Placement | Contestant |
| Miss America 2023 | Wisconsin – Grace Stanke |
| 1st Runner-Up | New York – Taryn Smith |
| 2nd Runner-Up | Texas – Averie Bishop |
| 3rd Runner-Up | West Virginia – Elizabeth Lynch |
| 4th Runner-Up | Georgia – Kelsey Hollis |
| Top 7 | Indiana – Elizabeth Hallal  Nevada – Heather Renner |
| Top 11 | Hawaii – Lauren Teruya  Illinois – Monica Nia Jones §  Ohio – Elizabetta Nies  Oregon – Sophia Takla |
§ – Voted into the Top 11 by receiving the America's Choice Award

## Preliminary awards

| Awards | Candidates |
| Social Impact Pitch | Georgia – Kelsey Hollis Iowa – Bailey Hodson |
| Talent | Indiana – Elizabeth Hallal Wisconsin – Grace Stanke |

## Other awards

| Awards | Candidates |
| America's Choice (guarantees top 11 placement) | Illinois – Monica Nia Jones |
| Equity and Justice Scholarship | Nevada – Heather Renner (Winner) Texas – Averie Bishop (Finalist) Florida – Lindsay Bettis (Finalist) |
| Jean Bartel Military Awareness Scholarship | Maryland – Kayla Willing |
| Miss Congeniality | Kentucky – Hannah Edelen |
| Non-Finalist Talent | California – Catherine Liang Louisiana – Gracie Reichman Nebraska – Steffany Lien Utah – Lindsey Larsen |
| Non-Finalist Social Impact Pitch | Florida – Lindsay Bettis |
| Social Impact Scholarship | Mississippi – Emmie Perkins (Winner) -- Music is Medicine Alabama – Lindsay Fincher (1st Runner-up) -- Catalyst: Arts for All Kentucky – Hannah Edelen (2nd Runner-up) -- Read, Ready, Kentucky |
| STEM Scholarship | Virginia – Victoria Chuah (Winner) Alaska – Jessica Reisinger (1st Runner-up) South Dakota – Hunter Widvey (2nd Runner-up) |
| Women in Business Scholarship | Texas – Averie Bishop (Winner) Florida – Lindsay Bettis (1st Runner-up) California – Catherine Liang (2nd Runner-up) |
| Women Who Brand Scholarship | Texas – Averie Bishop (Winner) Vermont – Alexina Federhen (Finalist) Arizona – Melody Pierce (Finalist) |

## Contestants

A total of 51 titleholders competed.
* Winner
* Runner-up
* Finalist
* Non-Finalist Award Winner
| State or district | Name | Age | Hometown | Talent | "Social Impact Initiative" | Placement | Special awards | Notes |
| Alabama | Lindsay Fincher | 22 | Wedowee | Dance, "Bossa Nova Baby" by Elvis Presley, from Fun in Acapulco | "Catalyst: Arts For All" | | Social Impact Finalist | |
| Alaska | Jessica Reisinger | 23 | Anchorage | Acrobatic Dance, "I Was Here" by Beyonce | "Supporting Survivors: Increasing Access to Sexual Assault Response Resources" | | Women in STEM Finalist | |
| Arizona | Melody Pierce | 26 | Phoenix | Tap Dance | "S.T.E.P.S. Towards Eating Disorder Recovery and Awareness" | | Women Who Brand Finalist | |
| Arkansas | Ebony Mitchell | 25 | Harrison | Tap Dance | "A Responsible Digital You" | | | |
| California | Catherine Liang | 22 | California | Piano | "To Be a Champion of Courage" | | Non-Finalist Talent Women in Business Finalist | |
| Colorado | Savannah Cavanaugh | 25 | Beaver Creek | Vocal | "Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life" | | | |
| Connecticut | Sylvana González | 24 | Farmington | Latin Jazz Dance, "Get on Your Feet" by Gloria Estefan | "With Heart, Redressing the Run of Abuse" | | | |
| Delaware | Grace Otley | 22 | Hockessin | Violin/Vocal/Keyboard | "Teaching Others to Love Themselves Through Music" | | | Previously Miss Delaware's Outstanding Teen 2014 |
| District of Columbia | Alivia Roberts | 26 | Shannon, MS | Ballet en Pointe, "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC | "The D.R.E.A.M. Impact" | | | |
| Florida | Lindsay Bettis | 26 | Ponte Vedra Beach | Jazz Dance | "Prescription for Change: Prevention-Treatment-Recovery" | | Equity and Justice Finalist Non-Finalist Social Impact Pitch Women in Business Finalist | |
| Georgia | Kelsey Hollis | 22 | Warner Robins | Vocal, "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" by Whitney Houston | "Autism Acceptance: A Platform for Change" | Fourth Runner-up | Preliminary Social Impact Pitch | Previously Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen 2016 |
| Hawaii | Lauren Teruya | 23 | Honolulu | Musical Theatre | "Arts for All" | Top 11 | | Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2017 Sister of Kathryn Teruya, Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2012 and Miss Hawaii 2017 |
| Idaho | Sarah Jensen | 26 | Weiser | Piano | "Why Math Matters" | | | |
| Illinois | Monica Nia Jones | 26 | Chicago | Violin | "Music Uniting Souls in Communities" | Top 11 | People's Choice | |
| Indiana | Elizabeth Hallal | 21 | Georgetown | Vocal | "The Triple A Project: Accessibility to the Arts for All" | Top 7 | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| Iowa | Bailey Hodson | 24 | Berwick | Vocal | "The ABCs: Anti Bullying Campaign" | | Preliminary Social Impact Pitch | |
| Kansas | Ayanna Hensley | 21 | Dodge City | Dance | "Aces Low: Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences" | | | |
| Kentucky | Hannah Edelen | 24 | Springfield | Clogging | "Read Ready Kentucky" | | Miss Congeniality Social Impact Finalist | |
| Louisiana | Gracie Reichman | 21 | Colfax | Contemporary Clogging | "Think Twice, Be Nice" | | Non-Finalist Talent | Previously Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen 2018 |
| Maine | Madison Leslie | 22 | Lewiston | Vocal | "Time to Shake Your Beauty" | | | Previously Miss Maine's Outstanding Teen 2016 |
| Maryland | Kayla Willing | 19 | Deal Island | Vocal | "The Write Reason" | | Jean Bartel Military Awareness Scholarship | |
| Massachusetts | Katrina Kincade | 25 | Boston | Vocal | "Special Olympics: Inclusion Revolution" | | | First Muslim woman to win Miss Massachusetts |
| Michigan | Melissa Beyrand | 22 | Milford | Violin | "Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts & Mathematics (STEAM)" | | | |
| Minnesota | Rachel Evangelisto | 24 | Minnesota | Praying Mantis Kung Fu | "Foster Care in Crisis: Native Youth in Minnesota" | | | First Native American to win Miss Minnesota |
| Mississippi | Emmie Perkins | 21 | Hattiesburg | Vocal | "Music is Medicine" | | Social Impact Winner | |
| Missouri | Clare Marie Kuebler | 21 | Wildwood | Dance | "Celebrating Courage: Childhood Cancer Advocacy" | | | |
| Montana | Alexa Baisch | 22 | Glendive | Dance | "The New Stranger Danger: Safety Through Education" | | | Previously Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen 2017 |
| Nebraska | Steffany Lien | 24 | Lincoln | Dance Twirl | "Developing Resilience Over Adversity" | | Non-Finalist Talent | Previously Miss Nebraska's Outstanding Teen 2015 |
| Nevada | Heather Renner | 23 | Reno | Classical Vocal | "Performing for a Purpose" | Top 7 | Equity and Justice Winner | Previously Miss Nevada's Outstanding Teen 2016 First openly gay Miss Nevada |
| New Hampshire | Sarah White | 23 | Weirs Beach | Tap Dance | "Mind Your Mental Health" | | | |
| New Jersey | Augostina Mallous | 20 | Cape May Court House | Acrobatic Dance | "Stop the Traffic: Human Trafficking Prevention" | | | Previously Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen 2017 |
| New Mexico | Kaitlin Kerl | 25 | Albuquerque | Dance | "Building Bridges Through Inclusion" | | | |
| New York | Taryn Smith | 25 | Manhattan | Vocal | "S.O.S. Supporting Our Shelters" | First Runner-up | | |
| North Carolina | Karolyn Martin | 22 | Charlotte | Vocal | "#SelfKare: Eat to Success" | | | |
| North Dakota | Sidni Kast | 24 | Minot | Piano/Vocal | "The One Body Movement" | | | |
| Ohio | Elizabetta Nies | 19 | Cincinnati | Piano | "Living from the Inside Out: A Proven, Global Method of Making Aspirations Attainable" | Top 11 | | Daughter of Kathleen Farrell Nies, Miss Illinois 1992 and Miss Illinois USA 1994 Niece of Mary-Ann Farrell, Miss New York 1984 and Monica Farrell, Miss Florida 1985 and Miss Florida USA 1988 |
| Oklahoma | Megan Gold | 22 | Edmond | Flute | "America, Let's do Lunch-Ending Senior Hunger" | | | |
| Oregon | Sophia Takla | 21 | Portland | Vocal | "Operation Joy: Bringing Happiness to Pediatric Care Patients" | Top 11 | | Daughter of Kimberly Stubblefield Takla, Miss Oregon USA 1986 |
| Pennsylvania | Alysa Bainbridge | 24 | Reading | Lyrical Dance | "Tyler's Triumph: The More Than Project" | | | Previously Miss Pennsylvania's Outstanding Teen 2016 |
| Rhode Island | Abby Mansolillo | 23 | Providence | Film Dialogue, "On the Basis of Sex" | "Trust Your Gut: Be Your Own Health Advocate" | | | |
| South Carolina | Jill Dudley | 23 | Myrtle Beach | Vocal | "Luke's Legacy: Advocacy for Diabetes Education, Prevention and Affordable Insulin for All" | | | |
| South Dakota | Hunter Widvey | 23 | Rapid City | Vocal | "Childhood Cancer Awareness" | | Women in STEM Finalist | Previously Miss South Dakota's Outstanding Teen 2016 |
| Tennessee | Lauren Dickson | 24 | Parsons | Vocal | "Heart for the Hungry: Overcoming Food Insecurity" | | | |
| Texas | Averie Bishop | 25 | Dallas | Vocal | "Y'all Means All" | Second Runner-up | Women in Business Winner Women Who Brand Winner Equity and Justice Finalist | First Asian American to win Miss Texas |
| Utah | Lindsey Larsen | 21 | Lehi | Ballet en Pointe | "The MOVEMENT Movement" | | Non-Finalist Talent | |
| Vermont | Alexina Federhen | 24 | Bennington | Vocal | "Reach Out, Speak Out" | | Women Who Brand Finalist | Previously Miss Vermont's Outstanding Teen 2014 |
| Virginia | Victoria Chuah | 23 | Ashburn | Ballet en Pointe | "4A: Advocacy and Awareness for Adults with Autism" | | Women in STEM Finalist | |
| Washington | Regan Gallo | 23 | Puyallup | Dance | "Making the Invisible Visible: Advocating for Those with Chronic Disease" | | | |
| West Virginia | Elizabeth Lynch | 25 | Martinsburg | Original Monologue, "It's Not Just Dirt" | "Growing Up, Growing Ag" | Third Runner-up | | |
| Wisconsin | Grace Stanke | 20 | Wausau | Violin | "Clean Energy, Cleaner Future" | Winner | Preliminary Talent Award | Previously Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen 2017 |
| Wyoming | Hazel Homer-Wambeam | 21 | Laramie | Musical Theater Performance | "EveryBODY Dance! Body Positivity through Movement" | | Top Fundraiser 4th Runner-up | Previously Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of Wyoming 2019, National DYW (formerly Junior Miss) winner of Self-Expression Category. Lifetime National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Scholar. National winner both 1st and 2nd place, National History Day (NHD) competition in performance and documentary categories. |

## Controversy and criticism

In an effort to move away from its central focus as a beauty contest, the M.A. Organization removed the bathing suit competition and distanced itself from sexist roots of the past in 2018. Critics allege that the competition still objectifies participants and women generally, with one journalist arguing that "these females, beautiful or otherwise, need not continue being judged on and selected for their appearance (according to many women [and to some men], whether or not they monitor Miss America contests or may be Miss Americas themselves." Likewise, the clothes worn by some Miss Americas, particularly since 1983, are scrutinized for promoting objectification.
2023 marks the second year of the final competition night and crowning not being aired on mainstream television. The 2022 Miss America competition was streamed on NBC's Peacock and had several technical glitches throughout the show, causing many viewers to complain on social media about the production value. Streaming the 2022 competition on Peacock was free, but the 2023 competition could only be streamed on PageantsLive.com and cost over US$30 to watch and avoid clashing the semifinal matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The 2023 competition was streamed on a pageant streaming service despite the Miss America organization announcing in 2018 that the competition is "no longer a pageant."