The Miss Rhode Island USA competition is the beauty pageant that selects the representative for the state Rhode Island in the Miss USA pageant. It is currently directed by D&D Productions.
Rhode Island made its first placement at Miss USA in 1961 and has been one of the most consistent states since 2000, with four semi-finalist placements and one first runner-up placement. On June 3, 2012, Olivia Culpo won the first Miss USA title from the state of Rhode Island. On December 19, 2012, Culpo became the first Rhode Islander to win the title of Miss Universe.
Victoria Cuartas of East Providence was crowned Miss Rhode Island USA 2026 on July 19, 2026, at Uptown Theater in Providence. She will represent Rhode Island at Miss USA 2026.
Gallery of titleholders
Results summary Placements Miss USA: Olivia Culpo (2012) 1st runner-up: Danielle Lacourse (2007) 2nd runners-up: Gayle White (1973), Anea Garcia (2015) Top 10/11/12: Jennifer Aubin (1995), Claudia Jordan (1997), Yanaiza Alvarez (2001), Janet Sutton (2002), Leeann Tingley (2006) Top 15/20: Joan Zeller (1961), Amy Diaz (2008), Brianna Vega (2025)
Rhode Island holds a record of 12 placements at Miss USA.
Awards Miss Congeniality: Christina Palavra (2014)
Winners Color key
Year Name HometownAge1 Local title Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes 2026 Victoria Cuartas East Providence 35 Miss Riverside 2025 Brianna Vega Providence 29 Miss Downtown Providence Top 20 2024 Kaitlynne Santana Woonsocket 22 Miss Woonsocket 2023 Mary Malloy Cumberland 26 Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2015 2022 Elaine Collado Providence 27 Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2013 2021 Karly Laliberte Pawtucket 26 Shortest reigning Miss Rhode Island USA () 2020 Jonét Nichelle Providence 24 New England Patriots Cheerleader Longest reigning Miss Rhode Island USA () Third longest reigning Miss USA state titleholder in the organization's history 2019 Nicole Pallozzi Providence 22 2018 Johnston 21 Later Miss World America Rhode Island 2018 2017 Kelsey Swanson Cranston 22 2016 Theresa Agonia Providence 23 2015 Anea Garcia Cranston 19 2nd runner-up Later Miss Grand International 2015 as Dominican Republic, later resigned/dethroned 2014 Christina Palavra Providence 18 Miss Congeniality Season 16 Model on Project Runway 2013 Brittany Stenovitch Cranston 19 2012 Olivia Culpo Cranston 19 Miss USA 2012 Later Miss Universe 2012 2011 Kate McCaughey Lincoln 22 2010 Kristina Primavera Narragansett 22 Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2003 2009 Alysha Castonguay Woonsocket 22 Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2002 and Top 10 Semifinalist at Miss Teen USA 2002, Previously Miss Teen America 2003 2008 Amy Diaz Johnston 23 Top 15 Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2001 Later Miss Earth United States 2009 and competed in Miss Earth 2009 Later won Season 23 of The Amazing Race 2007 Danielle Lacourse North Providence 21 1st runner-up 2006 Leeann Tingley East Greenwich 24 Top 10 2005Allison Paganetti North Kingstown 21Appears on CBS reality show Hunted as part of the hunter team "Echo". 2004 Sarah Bettencourt Lincoln 20 2003 Krisily Kennedy Warwick 23 Runner-up on season 7 of The Bachelor and a contestant on the first season of Bachelor Pad 2002 Janet Sutton Narragansett 23 Top 12 2001 Yanaiza A. Alvarez Providence 23 Top 10 Was a contestant on the show Fear Factor Episode 2.6 original air date 1/14/2002 2000 Heidi St. Pierre Harrisville 23 1999 Claire DeSimone Warwick Later Mrs. Massachusetts America 2004 and Top 10 semi-finalist at Mrs. America 2004 under her married name, Claire O'Connor. 1998 Connie Harrolle East Providence 1997 Claudia Jordan East Providence 23 Top 10 Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 1990; Suitcase model on Deal or No Deal 1996 Karen Bradley Providence 19 1995 Jennifer Aubin Woonsocket 20 Top 12 1994 RayeAnne Johnson Lincoln Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 1987 1993 Juli Roach Wakefield 1992 Yvette Hernandez Providence 1991 Lynne Michael Cranston 1990 Susan Lima West Warwick 1989 Debra Damiano Providence 1988 Cindy Geronda North Providence 1987 Lisa Benson North Kingstown 1986 Donna Silva Cranston 1985 Dana Wilson Riverside 1984 Debbie Mowry North Providence 1983 Allegra Hendricks Providence 1982 Peggy McGraw Scituate 1981 Patti Reo Cranston 1980 Robyn Hall Pawtucket 1979 Theresa Patterson Lincoln 1978 Sharon Lee McGarry Warwick 1977 Susan Carten Cranston 1976 Kathleen Confreda Warwick 1975 Marice Love Providence 1974 Debra Anne Cerroni Smithfield 1973 Gayle White Providence 21 2nd runner-up 1972 Jeanne Lemay West Warwick 1971 Laurie Stahle North Kingstown 1970 Rebecca Galleshaw Warwick 1969 Donna Lewis Providence 1968 Betty Lou Whitmore Providence 1967 Nancy Giuliano Woonsocket 1966 Barbara Williams Providence 1965 Paula M. Farrow Warwick 21 1964 Carol Ann Tantimonico Johnston 1963 Rosemary Jane Dickinson Providence 1962 Marilyn Ann Scott Pawtucket 1961 Joan Marie Zeller Riverside 23 Semi-finalist 1960 Lorelei Sue White Cranston 20 1959 Gloria Ryder Providence 1958 Claire DiPaolo Providence 1957 Myrna Altieri Cranston 1956 Sandra Vozella Point Judith 1955 Beverly Jansen Providence 1954 Joyce Anne Sandberg Warwick Previously crowned Miss Rhode Island in 1953. Later served as First Lady of Rhode Island from 1973 to 1977. 1953 Barbara Rose Deigman Providence 1952 Delores Selinder Providence 1 Age at the time of the Miss Rhode Island USA pageant
References
External links
"This beauty queen wears Army boots"