MISS USA has a new champ and the reigning queen comes with brains as well as beauty.

Alma Cooper was crowned the 2024 winner at the prestigious pageant.

Alma Cooper is the reigning Miss USA
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Alma Cooper is the reigning Miss USACredit: Getty

The beauty was crowned by Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii, who stepped into the role of Miss USA in May 2024
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The beauty was crowned by Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii, who stepped into the role of Miss USA in May 2024Credit: Getty

Alma is also the current Miss Michigan
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Alma is also the current Miss MichiganCredit: Getty

Who is Miss USA 2024?

On August 5, 2024, Alma Cooper was crowned the winner of Miss USA.

Hailing from Okemos, she previously won Miss Michigan in June 2024.

Alma was born on March 17, 2002 and per her Miss USA bio, she hopes to use her platform to tackle food insecurity with her “ultimate goal” being making “healthy foods available to all people.”

The beauty was crowned by Savannah Gankiewicz of Hawaii, who stepped into the role of Miss USA in May 2024, after the 2023 winner unexpectedly resigned.

Her Miss USA crowning saw fans flock to social media to congratulate her.

“I’m so happy for Michigan! I can’t wait to see her year! Well, until next year everyone,” one viewer said on X.

“Fellow michigander, proud of you miss,” another posted.

“Way to go, Miss Michigan!” a third user wrote.

The first runner-up was named as Connor Perry, Miss Kentucky USA.

Alma described her win as “surreal,” in a backstage interview with Fox News.

“I just thought about my family and the values that I was raised on growing up and just how much that meant to me and all the time it took to even get to this point,” she said.

“I’m so grateful. I can’t express enough gratitude for this moment, for the people who have uplifted me in times where I have been in valleys and to be on this mountain alongside so many other incredible women, I mean this is incredible.”

Alma also praised her fellow contestants and shared some of the strong bonds she had formed during the competition.

“The women backstage, the women that were on that stage just incredible people, the kindest people,” she added.

As the daughter of a migrant worker, a proud Afro-Latina woman, and an officer in the United States army, I am living the American dream.

Alma Cooper

“Some of the kindest people I have ever met.

“I made best friends with Miss Minnesota Muna.”

Alma will represent the United States at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico.

Alma is an Army officer, data scientist and food insecurity advocate
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Alma is an Army officer, data scientist and food insecurity advocateCredit: Getty

What does Alma Cooper do for a living?

Alma works as an Army officer and data scientist.

She was the first active-duty Army officer to be named Miss Michigan USA.

After winning the title, she posted on social media: “Serving this country as a Military Intelligence officer, I’m honored to share my personal motto DEMAND EXCELLENCE and how l’ve dedicated myself to sharing this message along with advocating for nutrition and health in America!”

In addition to walking in pageants and being in the forces, Alma is an advocate for nonprofit Feeding America.

She won over Miss Kentucky, Miss Tennessee, Miss Oklahoma, and Miss Ohio for the title
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She won over Miss Kentucky, Miss Tennessee, Miss Oklahoma, and Miss Ohio for the titleCredit: Getty

When did Alma Cooper graduate from Stanford University?

Whilst working as an army officer, Alma is also pursuing a master’s degree in statistics at Stanford.

She previously studied at the United States Military Academy West Point, where she graduated with honors.

Alma reflected on her academic and Army career during her time on stage in the Miss USA final.

“As the daughter of a migrant worker, a proud Afro-Latina woman, and an officer in the United States army, I am living the American dream,” she told the judges.