UPDATE: Thom Brodeur, newly appointed president and CEO of Miss USA, has announced groundbreaking changes for the upcoming 2025 pageant, set to take place on October 24, 2025, in Reno, Nevada. This urgent overhaul comes amid controversies that have plagued the nearly 75-year-old pageant, including allegations of rigging and bullying.
In an exclusive interview with Business Insider, Brodeur revealed three major reforms that aim to restore trust and transparency within the organization. He stated, “My team knows we have a lot of work to do. We have trust to rebuild, we have faith to restore, and we have healing to begin.”
One of the most significant changes includes the elimination of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), which had restricted contestants like former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava from discussing their experiences. Both queens resigned in May 2024, citing severe emotional distress under previous leadership. Voigt highlighted the detrimental mental toll of her tenure, stating she was prescribed anxiety medication due to “constant harassment.”
Brodeur emphasized that transparency is key to moving forward. “If you have nothing to hide, then don’t,” he asserted, aiming to empower contestants and allow their voices to be heard without restrictions. This fresh approach has been welcomed by former contestants, with Voigt expressing excitement about Brodeur’s leadership, claiming it’s a “new day on the horizon” for aspiring competitors.
In another pivotal change, Brodeur plans to abolish the selection committees that historically influenced contestant rankings. He affirmed, “What that means, very simply, is who the judges pick is the winner of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.” This shift promises a fairer competition where contestants can compete based solely on their performance, free from outside influence.
Brodeur’s reforms also extend to the types of questions contestants will face during interviews. Previously, political and current event questions were off-limits under former CEO Laylah Rose. Brodeur is reversing this policy, stating, “It’s important that we allow the intelligence of the women in the Miss USA and Teen USA communities to shine.” He believes sensitive topics should be addressed, reflecting the realities faced by the communities represented by the contestants.
These changes come after a tumultuous few years for Miss USA, which has seen three different owners in five years and a series of scandals that have shaken public confidence. The Miss Universe Organization suspended its former president following allegations of unfair practices, leading to widespread calls for reform.
As the Miss USA pageant prepares for its relaunch, Brodeur is determined to alter the narrative and re-establish the pageant as a platform for empowerment rather than controversy. “There is nothing that is being restricted or limited in that way,” he stated regarding the new interview formats.
With Miss USA 2025 approaching, all eyes are on Brodeur and his team to deliver on their promise of a fair, transparent, and empowering competition. Contestants, former titleholders, and pageant enthusiasts alike are eagerly anticipating how these changes will reshape the future of Miss USA.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to follow this developing story.
