Miss Oklahoma is crowned Miss USA - but Trump skips his own pageant to 'focus on presidential campaign' following Mexican immigrant controversy
- Olivia Jordan, 26, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was crowned Miss USA on Sunday in the pageant, co-owned by Donald Trump, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Women representing Oklahoma, Texas, Rhode Island, Maryland and Nevada made it into the top five
- Trump's comments slamming Mexican immigrants during his presidential campaign announcement sparked a backlash against his empire with judges and performers boycotting the event
- Contestants of Hispanic heritage included Miss New York, Tathiana Diaz; Miss California, Natasha Martinez and Miss Texas, Ylianna Guerra, who was crowned first runner-up
- In video segments played along with the show, the women described their lives back home, some of whom discussed their heritage
Olivia Jordan of Oklahoma was crowned Miss USA on Sunday, beating 50 other contestants and overcoming weeks of controversy generated by pageant co-owner Donald Trump to win the 64th annual pageant.
The 26-year-old winner was followed by first runner-up Yliana Guerra, 22, of Texas, and second runner-up Anea Garcia, 20, of Rhode Island. They were followed by 25-year-old Miss Nevada Brittany McGown, 25, third runner-up and then Miss Maryland Mame Adjei, 23, to round out the top five.
Trump, the pageant co-owner and real estate mogul, slammed Mexican immigrants in comments during his announcement that he was running for president. That led to widespread fallout against his business dealings, including the pageant. He wasn't present at Sunday's pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Guerra, who earned the first runner-up title, was one of three contestants with Hispanic heritage.
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Newly crowned Miss USA Olivia Jordan, from Oklahoma, won the 64th annual Miss USA contest on Sunday, beating out 50 other women from states around the country and the District of Columbia
Miss Oklahoma Olivia Jordan lifts her arm in shock as she's crowned Miss USA by Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez
Miss Oklahoma Olivia Jordan holds on to her new crown as she shows it off to the audience at the Miss USA pageant on Sunday in Baton Rouge
Miss Oklahoma Olivia Jordan, 26, can hardly contain her excitement as she celebrates after being crowned the winner
Miss Universe Paulina Vega adorns Miss Oklahoma Olivia Jordan with a new sash after she's named 2015 Miss USA
Miss Oklahoma Olivia Jordan (left) reacts next to runner up Miss Texas Ylianna Guerra after Jordan was announced as the winner
Olivia Jordan's joy and relief is obvious as the camera zooms in to capture a close-up of the newly-crowned winner
The pageant is co-owned by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, pictured left speaking before a crowd in Phoenix on Saturday and Olivia Jordan celebrates backstage following the event, right
Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan walks across stage in her hot pink ballgown that featured ruffles across the bottom and a plunging necklne
Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan knocked out her competition by showing off in a skirt and crop top and a blue sequined swimsuit
Singers Travis Garland and former American Idol finalist Stefano Langone kicked off the show with three songs 'Born on the Bayou,' 'She's a Bad Mama Jama' and 'American Woman' as the contestants strutted onto the stage and introduced themselves and their states.
The pageant featured an evening wear and swimsuit competition as well as a personality interview. The preliminary contest was held earlier this week and then the number of women remaining was progressively narrowed during the course of Sunday evening's telecast.
The final five women hailed from Oklahoma, Texas, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Nevada.
Jordan, of Tulsa, Oklahoma is a group fitness instructor and personal trainer. She attended Boston University, where she earned a B.S. in Health Science and ran a self-defense workshop in her sorority, Alpha Phi.
She has appeared in several national and international commercials and feature films, most recently, Hot Tub Time Machine 2, and has walked in fashion weeks in New York and Miami.
She was recognized as an outstanding advocate by Children of the Night, a group dedicated to getting American children out of prostitution and was the 2015 host for the Oklahoma Chapter Alzheimer's Association Memory Gala.
Trump's comments slamming Mexican immigrants during his presidential campaign announcement sparked a backlash against the business tycoon's empire, including the Miss Universe organization that includes the Miss USA pageant.
In his June announcement, Trump said that some Mexican immigrants to the United States bring drugs and crime, and some are rapists.
Contestants from Arizona, Rhode Island, Delaware, Illinois, Oklahoma and More compete in the 64th annual Miss USA pageant on Sunday
The 51 women - from all 50 states and the Dominican Republic compete in three categories: evening gown, swimsuit and a personality interview
Miss Hawaii Emma Wo (left) and Miss Michigan USA Rashontae Wawrzyniak (right) strut their stuff during the swimsuit round of the Miss USA pageant
Miss Maryland USA Mame Adjei (left) and Miss Arizona USA Maureen Ann Montagne (right) pose in their swimsuits during the pageant
Broadcasters NBC and Spanish-language broadcaster Univision said they would not show the contest. Judges and performers pulled out.
Organizers have scrambled to find replacements as the pageant was approaching.
Reelz television stepped in to air the contest, saying that the pageant and the women who compete in it 'are an integral part of American tradition.' The station also said Trump would not profit from the deal.
The contest found replacement hosts and is bringing back a slew of former winners from Miss USA and Miss Universe as judges.
They also highlighted the diversity among the contestants, including those of Hispanic descent.
In video segments played along with the show, the women described their lives back home and the causes they hope to promote if named Miss USA.
Anea Garcia from Rhode Island told viewers how she was homeless at times while growing up after her grandmother - who had raised her - lost her job.
Pageant organizers also showed a video segment of various contestants discussing their immigrant ties including a contestant whose parents emigrated from Vietnam.
Hosts Todd Newton and former Miss Wisconsin Alex Wehrley speak on stage as Miss USA contestants pose behind them during the competition
Miss Louisiana Candice Marie Bennatt reacts after making the top fifteen during the 2015 Miss USA pageant. She went on to make it into the top 11
Miss Rhode Island Anea Garcia, left, reacts after making the top fifteen during the 2015 Miss USA pageant. Miss Michigan Rashontae Wawrzyniak, right, also made it into the next round
Miss Louisiana USA Candice Marie Bennatt (left) and Miss Rhode Island USA Anea Garcia (right) pose during the pageant on Sunday
Miss Alabama USA Madison Kelli Guthrie (left) and Miss Nevada USA Brittany McGowan (right) give the Baton Rouge crown big smiles as they show off in skirts and crop tops
Miss Illinois USA Renee Wronecki (left) and Miss New York USA Thatiana Diaz (right) pose during the 64th-annual Miss USA pageant
Miss Delaware USA Renee Bull (left) and Miss Hawaii USA Emma Wo (right) strike power poses while showing off their sparkly dresses at the Miss USA pagent
Miss Kentucky Ketie George (right) holds Miss Hawaii Emma Wo's (left) hand as she congratulates her after making the top fifteen
Paula Shugart, who heads the Miss Universe Organization, thanked the chief executive of Reelz and the returning pageant winners for stepping in to help.
'I love you all. You are the only reason we exist,' she said to the women during a news conference Sunday.
Shugart said the challenges of the past few weeks will make for great practice for whichever woman is crowned Miss USA, providing a lesson on how to stay focused: 'You have to forget everything going on around you.'
When asked if the relationship between the pageant and Reelz would last beyond Sunday night, Stan Hubbard said the agreement was for one night only.
The judges talked about their love of the organization and said they know first-hand what the women are feeling.
'I feel pressure,' said Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih. She said she considers it a very important job to pick the next woman who will 'carry the torch.'
Contestants are judged in three categories: evening gown, swimsuit and a personality interview.
Hosts Todd Newton and Former Miss Wisconsin Alex Wehrley speak on stage as Miss USA contestants pose in nude dresses and heels during the competition
Todd Newton, former Miss Wisconsin Alex Wehrley, and Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez speak during the competition at the Baton Rouge River Center
Miss Hawaii Emma Wo glides across the stage in a stunning silver and white dress and nude heels as she competes in the pageant
Miss Maryland Mame Adjei showed off her legs in a sheer black dress that only covered her assets. She complemented the dress with matching black heels
Miss Nevada Brittany McGowan surprised the crowd during the evening gown round when she walked out with a flowing train that was removable
The contestants showcased dresses of all colors and styles. Some dresses had plunging necklines while others had high slits and sheer bottoms
The 51 women represent every state and the District of Columbia.
Natasha Martinez who represents California said during an interview with The Associated Press earlier this week that she didn't think Trump's comments have overshadowed the contest but it has provided an opportunity for her and others to show what they're doing.
'You know, this isn't about how big your hair is on stage or how good you look in a bikini. It's an opportunity for these girls to be advocates for what they're passionate about,' said Martinez, who does breast cancer advocacy.
Miss New York's parents were born in the Dominican Republic and told NBC News she learned her work ethic from them.
'They got a job once they got off the plane,' said Diaz. 'We've always made that important and it is in all cultures but especially in Latino cultures.'
Miss Texas has a similar connection to her heritage. 'The way I was raised, my parents never wanted me to forget my roots,' said 22-year-old Mexican-American Yliana Guerra.
'Respect is number one,' she said. 'The respect you have for your parents and grandparents is huge in our culture.'
Singer Adley Stump performs during the evening gown segment of the 2015 Miss USA pageant in Baton Rouge on Sunday
Singer Stefano Langone performs on stage on Sunday as the 2015 Miss USA contestants dance with umbrellas behind the performer
Travis Garland performs on stage during the 2015 Miss USA beauty pageant in Baton Rouge as contestants compete in three categories
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