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Meet the 52 women competing to be Miss America 2025

Miss America 2025 contestants
The Miss America 2025 competition takes place on January 5.

Miss America

  • The Miss America pageant will take place in Orlando on Sunday.
  • More than 50 women from across America will make their cases for the crown.
  • The contestants include a national figure skater, a biomedical systems engineer, and a trauma nurse.

It's almost time to crown the next Miss America.

The 2025 pageant will take place in Orlando on Sunday, and a newΒ Miss America reign will begin.

Miss America will stream live on YouTube at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Ahead of the competition, check out the 52 hopefuls competing for the crown.

Alabama: Abbie Stockard
Miss Alabama 2025.
Miss Alabama 2025.

Miss America

Abbie Stockard, 22, is a nursing student at Auburn University and a member of the college's dance team.

Stockard raises money for cystic fibrosis. She was inspired by her best friend, who was diagnosed with the disorder. In her Miss America bio, she said she hosted the largest fundraiser for the cause in Alabama in 2024, raising over $200,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The organization named her its 2024 Hero of Hope.

Alaska: Jordan Naylor
Miss Alaska 2025.
Miss Alaska 2025.

Miss America

Jordan Naylor, 27, is the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women development director in Anchorage, Alaska.

Naylor wants to educate people about emergency heart aid, ensuring businesses in Anchorage are prepared to help people having cardiac emergencies and that people know hands-only CPR, working with organizations like the AHA and the Anchorage Fire Department.

In her Miss America bio, she also shared that she loves platypuses.

Arizona: Shailey Ringenbach
Miss Arizona 2025.
Miss Arizona 2025.

Miss America

Shailey Ringenbach, 21, is a real-estate agent in Maricopa, Arizona. Her Miss America bio says she became a licensed real-estate agent at just 18 and is one of the youngest sales representatives at D.R. Horton. Ringenbach has sold over $2 million in real estate to date.

She also brought therapy dogs to pageants through her Share the Love: Improving Mental Health Through Pet Therapy initiative.

Arkansas: Camille Cathey
Miss Arkansas 2025.
Miss Arkansas 2025.

Miss America

Camille Cathey, 22, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama, graduating summa cum laude. She will attend the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Cathey is an ambassador for Wish Upon a Teen, an organization that supports teens with severe medical conditions. She also created the Proudly Volunteer initiative, encouraging people to engage in service work across the US.

Cathey said in her Miss America bio that she can perform accents.

California: Kimberly Vernon
Miss California 2025.
Miss California 2025.

Miss America

Kimberly Vernon, 28, is a marketing consultant from Santa Clara, California.

Vernon spearheads the Arts for All initiative, helping over 40,000 students access arts education. Her Miss America bio says she has raised over $130,000 for the program.

She also said she traveled the globe in just 18 days.

Colorado: Alexandra Lotko
Miss Colorado 2025.
Miss Colorado 2025.

Miss America

Alexandra Lotko, 27, has her degree in elementary education from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. She lives in Denver today but said in her Miss America bio that she has lived in six states.

Lotko, a twin, is a mental-health advocate through her initiative, It's Okay to Not Be Okay. She also supports the American Heart Association and the Miss America Scholarship Foundation through the Miss America's Ladies Who Launch initiative.

Connecticut: Monica Fenwick
Miss Connecticut 2025.
Miss Connecticut 2025.

Miss America

Monica Fenwick, 24, is a speech and language pathologist from Watertown, California. Her work is her passion, and she helped create a Connecticut day of recognition for communication disorders and launched the initiative #CommunicationIsKey to support people with communication disorders.

Fenwick was also a member of the UCA All-American cheerleading team.

Delaware: Nova Rae Gaffney
Miss Delaware 2025.
Miss Delaware 2025.

Miss America

Nova Rae Gaffney, 24, is from Milford, Delaware, and works as a professional ballerina. She recently performed the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Savannah Ballet Theatre's production of "The Nutcracker."

She also launched the Behind Closed Doors: Domestic Violence Awareness initiative, raising awareness about indicators of domestic violence and the resources available to those dealing with it.

District of Columbia: Katie Ann Powell
Miss District of Columbia 2025.
Miss District of Columbia 2025.

Miss America

Katie Ann Powell, 26, has an MBA and is a public relations specialist in Washington, DC. Powell also said in her Miss America bio that she played the harp for 20 years, studying at four different universities and performing in seven countries.

Powell also champions financial literacy as the president of Jump$tart Greater Washington and hosts the personal finance podcast "Full Confidence Ahead."

Florida: Casana Fink
Miss Florida 2025.
Miss Florida 2025.

Miss America

Casana Fink, 26, founded the clothing label The Unverified and is the chief operating officer for More Transplants More Life, a nonprofit organization focused on increasing organ donation. The Ocala, Florida, resident is also an MBA candidate.

Fink dedicates much of her time to raising awareness and support for organ donation. She was named the Donate Life Florida Ambassador of the Year and wrote a children's book about organ donation.

Georgia: Ludwidg Louizaire
Miss Georgia 2025.
Miss Georgia 2025.

Miss America

Ludwidg Louizaire, 27, works in marketing in Atlanta. Her initiative, Education for Every Student, promotes equal educational opportunities for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds. It includes legislative efforts and mentorship programs.

Louizaire was named the Boys and Girls Club of America's role model of the year. In her Miss America bio, she also said she could recite every word of the musical "Hamilton."

Hawai'i: Hayley Cheyney Kāne
Miss Hawaii 2025.
Miss Hawai'i 2025.

Miss America

Hayley Cheyney Kāne, 27, is a preventive medicine educator and doctor-in-training from Kaneohe, Hawai'i. Kāne said in her Miss America bio that she is passionate about educating people about women's heart disease prevention, and she thinks the "aloha" lifestyle of Hawai'i can help combat the disease.

Kāne is the first gay Miss Hawai'i to date. She performed hula dancing and singing simultaneously as her talent during the competition.

Idaho: Madison Andreason
Miss Idaho 2025.
Miss Idaho 2025.

Miss America

Madison Andreason, 22, is from Idaho Falls, Idaho, and studies paralegal studies and political science at Idaho State University.

Andreason was Idaho's representative at the National Speech and Debate Tournament. She modernized an article about domestic violence for the Idaho State Bar and champions healthy living through her initiative Get Up and Get Out.

Illinois: Breana Bagley
Miss Illinois 2025.
Miss Illinois 2025.

Miss America

Breana Bagley, 27, is an attorney from Decatur, Illinois.

Bagley champions awareness for rare diseases, inspired by her mother's experience with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis. After helping to found the National Pancreas Foundation's junior board of directors and Camp Hope, she was given the organization's Vision of Hope award for her efforts.

She is also the chair of the National Organization for Rare Disorders Policy and Advocacy Taskforce.

Indiana: Kalyn Melham
Miss Indiana 2025.
Miss Indiana 2025.

Miss America

Kalyn Melham, 23, is from Muncie, Indiana. She studied information and communication science at Ball State University and founded the service initiative Acts of Service, advocating for underprivileged communities across the US.

Melham also said in her Miss America bio that she loves film scores, listing Michael Giacchino, Hans Zimmer, and Justin Hurwitz among her favorite composers.

Iowa: Abigaille Batu-Tiako
Miss Iowa 2025.
Miss Iowa 2025.

Miss America

Abigaille Batu-Tiako, 22, got her degree in business management from William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She is the first grandchild of 25 in her family to earn a college degree. Batu-Tiako played both soccer and track and field when she attended the school.

She founded the United Voices initiative, encouraging people to celebrate other cultures without appropriating them.

She has also played the trombone for a decade.

Kansas: Alexis Smith
Miss Kansas 2025.
Miss Kansas 2025.

Miss America

Alexis Smith, 25, is a cardiothoracic ICU nurse in Witchita, Kansas.

Smith advocates against domestic abuse, working with organizations like One Love, the Domestic Violence Hotline, and the Kansas Health Foundation to promote healthy relationships and bring awareness to domestic violence. The City of Witchita awarded her an outstanding service award for her efforts.

Smith is also an accomplished ventriloquist, practicing for nearly 20 years.

Kentucky: Chapel Tinius
Miss Kentucky 2025.
Miss Kentucky 2025.

Miss America

Chapel Tinius, 24, is a multi-talented contestant with a background in public speaking, extreme running, singing, and playing multiple instruments β€” namely the fiddle, violin, and harp.

She has two degrees from Belmont University and is now a spokesperson for Kentucky Proud, a local agriculture marketing program, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

According to her Miss America bio, Tinius also runs a fundraising operation called Operation Gratitude: For the Fallen, For the Fighting, For the Veterans. Her grandfather, who served and was injured in WWII, inspired her.

Louisiana: Olivia Grace George
Miss Lousiana 2025.
Miss Lousiana 2025.

Miss America

Olivia Grace George, 20, is one of the youngest contestants in this year's Miss America competition. She's an aspiring elementary education teacher and studies at Lousiana Tech University.

She's already gotten her start in the field. George previously collected and donated school supplies for local classrooms and founded an initiative called Education is Key – Knowledge Empowers Youth.

So far, as she shared in her Miss America bio, her efforts have reached over 4,500 students.

Maine: Jennie Daley
Miss Maine 2025.
Miss Maine 2025.

Miss America

Jennie Daley, 28, is a biomedical systems engineer who graduated in the top 4% of her class at the University of Maine's College of Engineering.

In her current position, where she's the youngest staff engineer employed, she's been promoted four times over the past five years.

Daley is now eager to help others achieve similar success in the field. She founded Equity in Engineering: Breaking the Glass Ceiling for Women and Rural America to help the career path become more accessible to diverse workers.

Maryland: Bridget O'Brien
Miss Maryland 2025.
Miss Maryland 2025.

Miss America

Bridget O'Brien, 23, is studying to earn a master's degree in sports management at the University of Alabama. However, she also dreams of becoming the first member of the Miss America organization to appear on "Dancing With the Stars."

That's partially because O'Brien knows a thing or two about dance. She was previously a member of the USA's tap-dancing team and won two gold medals with the group.

She's also a singer and the founder of Boomerang, an initiative that helps people reframe their failures into opportunities for success.

Massachusetts: Kiersten Khoury
Miss Massachusetts 2025.
Miss Massachusetts 2025.

Miss America

Kiersten Khoury, 23, owns Savvy Solutions, a coaching business she founded when she was 16.

She's also a real-estate agent who earned her license while in college and holds the title of top sales associate in New England, according to her Miss America bio.

For fun, Khoury is learning Arabic from her father, who spoke the language while living in Lebanon. She's also dedicated to her initiative, Redefining Dyslexia, which educates people about the condition and advocates for those who experience it.

Michigan: Jenae Lodewyk
Miss Michigan 2025.
Miss Michigan 2025.

Miss America

Jenae Lodewyk, 25, works within the NBA as the manager of player and family engagement for the Detroit Pistons. She's held the role for five seasons and is only the third woman in the league's history to be an assistant equipment manager.

The experience has led her to advocate for equal career opportunities in male-dominated fields.

Her Miss America bio says Lodewyk also enjoys watching Broadway shows, sewing, and completing New York Times puzzles with her sisters.

Minnesota: Emily Schumacher
Miss Minnesota 2025.
Miss Minnesota 2025.

Miss America

Emily Schumacher, 25, has made her mark on the healthcare industry. Previously named a PHW Hero for Young Hearts Allied Health Professional Advocacy Champion award winner, she now works as a certified nurse's assistant in her local emergency room.

She told the Miss America organization that she's also worked with the American Heart Association and has widely advocated for CPR and AED training.

Mississippi: Becky Williams
Miss Mississippi 2025.
Miss Mississippi 2025.

Miss America

Becky Williams, 23, is the first woman in her family to graduate from college β€” and she's determined to help others succeed in education.

Now an elementary school teacher, Williams helped secure full-tuition scholarships at Mississippi State University for winners of their state's local Miss and Miss Teen competitions.

As she said in her Miss America bio, she's also passionate about fitness and started an initiative called Make a Move to help others develop healthy habits. For fun, Williams is learning how to fly planes and has over 10 hours as a pilot in command under her belt.

Missouri: Ashley Berry
Miss Missouri 2025.
Miss Missouri 2025.

Miss America

Ashley Berry, 21, studies journalism and political science at the University of Alabama. Her biggest passion, though, is supporting young professionals.

She's secured a full-tuition scholarship for future Miss Missouri Teen winners and founded a day in her state dedicated to engaging teens in politics. She's also worked to add media literacy lessons to school curriculums and started the Media Smart initiative to further her advocacy.

Berry is a bungee fitness instructor and a professional dancer in her spare time, having previously performed with the Missouri Symphony.

Montana: Kaylee Wolfensberger
Miss Montana 2025.
Miss Montana 2025.

Miss America

Kaylee Wolfensberger, 20, is a student working toward her degree in business marketing.

That said, she's already had some experience in her field. In 2024, she met with representatives of two NFL teams, the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins, and discussed women in business leadership roles with them.

She also founded the Healing Harmonies initiative to help provide music education to communities in need.

Nebraska: Raechel Warren
Miss Nebraska 2025.
Miss Nebraska 2025.

Miss America

Raechel Warren, 28, wears many hats. She is a merchandiser and logistics specialist within the agriculture industry and a published researcher.

And that's not to mention her success in figure roller skating, which she's been competing in since childhood. She's now a two-time champion in the sport and aims to skate in all 50 states.

In her Miss America bio, Warren shared that she's also passionate about mentorship and launched her initiative, Passion to Purpose, to help students have access to people who can guide them through life.

Nevada: Karrina Ferris
Miss Nevada 2025.
Miss Nevada 2025.

Miss America

Karrina Ferris, 22, has a degree in history and political science, which led her to work the 82nd Nevada legislative session for the Senate majority leader.

She's also a dancer and the creator of a civic education curriculum available across Nevada.

Ferris also founded the service initiative Inform To Reform: Educating America's Future, which focuses on teaching young people about voter participation.

New Hampshire: Emily Spencer
Miss New Hampshire 2025.
Miss New Hampshire 2025.

Miss America

Emily Spencer, 24, is a choreographer, pilates instructor, and professional dancer.

She previously earned her bachelor of fine arts in dance with a minor in biology, graduating fourth in her class and accepting her degree on the Miss New Hampshire stage. Spencer hopes to later earn a doctorate in physical therapy.

Additionally, Spencer founded a nonprofit and adaptive pageant organization called Miss Inspiration, which provides scholarships to women who have disabilities.

New Jersey: Elizabeth Mendel
Miss New Jersey 2025.
Miss New Jersey 2025.

Miss America

Elizabeth Mendel, 23, is a business student and advocate for people who experience eating disorders, like she has in the past.

She's worked with New Jersey assemblywoman Andrea Katz and provided her testimony to help pass two bills in New Jersey that raise awareness of eating disorders. Her initiative, Image is Everywhere, also focuses on the subject.

In her Miss America bio, Mendel said she's also raised over $50,000 for her community and is a twin.

New Mexico: Emille Marie Enriquez
Miss New Mexico 2025.
Miss New Mexico 2025.

Miss America

Emille Marie Enriquez, 24, is an emergency room nurse at a level-three trauma center. She's been nominated twice for a Daisy Award, which recognizes excellence in nursing.

To help serve her community, Enriquez has administered vaccines, mentored graduate nurses, and advocated for safe ratios of nurses and patients.

In her Miss America bio, the contestant shared that she lives in a "glamper," or a glamorous camper van, and enjoys shopping at Marshall's with her grandmother.

New York: Abigail Quammen
Miss New York 2025.
Miss New York 2025.

Miss America

Abigail Quammen, 25, can be described as a bookworm. Not only is reading one of her biggest hobbies, but she's also an advocate for literacy via her initiative Read to Succeed, which provides students with tutoring and after-school reading programs.

Her work has previously taken her to places like the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy's National Celebration of Reading, where she served as the featured impact speaker.

She previously graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in musical theater and is now an MBA candidate at New York University.

North Carolina: Carrie Everett
Miss North Carolina 2025.
Miss North Carolina 2025.

Miss America

Carrie Everett, 20, is passionate about taking advantage of your circumstances.

She founded a service initiative called Seize the Opportunity, with which she advocates for equitable access to the Miss America competition. The program works on contestant recruitment, individual funding, and training workshops.

Previously, as she told the Miss America organization, she played tackle football and was the only woman on her team.

North Dakota: Sophia Richards
Miss North Dakota 2025.
Miss North Dakota 2025.

Miss America

Sophia Richards is a North Dakota State University graduate and currently works as a host and producer for North Dakota Today.

The 23-year-old is also a volunteer and mentor for BIO Girls, a preventive mental wellness program in the Midwest. She once performed the national anthem in front of 45,000 people at a country music festival.

Ohio: Stephanie Finoti
Miss Ohio 2025.
Miss Ohio 2025.

Miss America

Stephanie Finoti, 22, is a biomedical scientist and vocational nurse. She began doing research at the James Comprehensive Cancer Center and Cincinnati Children's Hospital when she was just 16 and has been recognized for her work by the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Finoti also founded a nonprofit organization to help provide mentorship and tutoring to over 10,000 marginalized students.

Oklahoma: Lauren Frost
Miss Oklahoma 2025.
Miss Oklahoma 2025.

Miss America

Lauren Frost, 25, graduated from Northeastern State University with a degree in corporate communication. She is currently training as a public information officer at the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Control.

Frost is a brand ambassador for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the Gladney Center for Adoption and a speaker at the National Adoption Conference.

Oregon: Abigail Hoppe
Miss Oregon 2025.
Miss Oregon 2025.

Miss America

Abigail Hoppe is an elementary school teacher and has received the James B. Conway Award for excellence in teaching. Her social initiative is dedicated to mentoring and educating those with type 1 diabetes.

The 26-year-old is also a licensed makeup artist and entrepreneur, running her own business outside the classroom.

Pennsylvania: Paige Weinstein
Miss Pennsylvania 2025.
Miss Pennsylvania 2025.

Miss America

Paige Weinstein is a flight attendant and pilot-in-training for Delta Air Lines. She was diagnosed with melanoma at the age of 26 and now advocates for early detection.

The 27-year-old founded the nonprofit Beauty for All, offering the first beauty subscription box catered to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Weinstein is also obsessed with pickles and attends the country's largest pickle festival every year.

Puerto Rico: Wilma Victoria Richiez
Miss Puerto Rico 2025.
Miss Puerto Rico 2025.

Miss America

Wilma Victoria Richiez has a biology degree from the University of Puerto Rico at BayamΓ³n. She is completing a post-baccalaureate program at the National Institutes of Health and plans to apply to a JD/Ph.D. program in neuroscience and science policy.

The 23-year-old is the first Miss Puerto Rico to compete at Miss America since 2017. She is using her platform to help provide education opportunities to disadvantaged communities in Puerto Rico.

Rhode Island: Ali Hornung
Miss Rhode Island 2025.
Miss Rhode Island 2025.

Miss America

Ali Hornung, 24, graduated from the University of Rhode Island with degrees in global business, German, and human development.

Hornung is a pediatric cancer advocate who has raised over $700,000. She founded the Glimmer of Hope Foundation and has distributed more than 700 bald dolls to children battling cancer around the world. She currently collaborates with the Biden Cancer Moonshot.

South Carolina: Davis Wash
Miss South Carolina 2025.
Miss South Carolina 2025.

Miss America

Davis Wash, 24, is a marketing consultant for a land and agriculture firm and an advocate for the children of incarcerated parents.

Wash is a national brand ambassador for Proverbs 22:6 and has accompanied over 270 children to visit their parents in prisons across South Carolina. She is also a partner with the American Correctional Association, striving to provide mentorship and resources to at-risk youth.

South Dakota: Joelle Simpson
Miss South Dakota 2025.
Miss South Dakota 2025.

Miss America

Joelle Simpson, 21, is an accomplished figure skater. She is South Dakota's first and only four-time gold medalist in figure skating and a national bronze medalist in synchronized skating.

Simpson is also a professional harpist and hosts a science documentary series called "Nurturing Nature," where she has handled snakes and explored raptor rehabilitation.

Tennessee: Carley Vogel
Miss Tennessee 2025.
Miss Tennessee 2025.

Miss America

Carley Vogel, 24, is studying for a degree in music business at Middle Tennessee State University. Through her social initiative, Carley 4 the Kids, she has raised over $1.9 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Vogel is also an advocate for organ donation, serving as an ambassador for Donate Life Tennessee and Tennessee Donor Services. She volunteers on the transplant floor at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and was honored as a national advocate by the American Liver Foundation in 2023.

Texas: Annette Addo-Yobo
Miss Texas 2025.
Miss Texas 2025.

Miss America

Annette Addo-Yobo, 26, holds master's degrees in clinical psychology and business administration.

Addo-Yobo advocates for autism awareness through her social initiative, The S.P.A.R.K. Project. She has partnered with nonprofits, including Best Buddies International and Autism Speaks.

Utah: Paris Matthews
Miss Utah 2025.
Miss Utah 2025.

Miss America

Paris Matthews, 26, works as a certified child life specialist in the emergency department at Primary Children's Hospital. She is also a graduate student, children's book author, and founder of a charity that advocates for hospitalized children.

Matthews has made it to the national Miss America stage after competing 13 times to win her first local title.

Vermont: Meara Seery
Miss Vermont 2025.
Miss Vermont 2025.

Miss America

Meara Seery, 24, has worked as a digital producer for Sen. Bernie Sanders and is currently a marketing director.

In 2024, Seery helped break the Guinness World Record for most pledges to clean up trash in a 24-hour period. She is an advocate for the environment and sustainable agriculture.

Virginia: Carlehr Swanson
Miss Virginia 2025.
Miss Virginia 2025.

Miss America

Carlehr Swanson, 28, graduated from George Mason University and the Frost School of Music. She is a Ph.D. candidate in critical and comparative studies in music.

Swanson performs in nursing homes and uses her social initiative, Music is Unity, to teach students about the benefits of music.

Washington: Hermona Girmay
Miss Washington 2025.
Miss Washington 2025.

Miss America

Hermona Girmay, 24, is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Public Health. She became an advocate for type 1 diabetes after nearly losing her life to the autoimmune disease due to a prolonged misdiagnosis.

Girmay is also an advocate for gender and education equality. Through her nonprofit, she has donated books and school supplies and works to advance scholarship opportunities for women.

West Virginia: Jennifer Reuther
Miss West Virginia 2025.
Miss West Virginia 2025.

Miss America

Jennifer Reuther, 26, is a practicing physician assistant. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 7 and has since raised more than $10,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Reuther has volunteered at rural health clinics across her state, helping to provide preventive screenings and medical services.

Wisconsin: Mandi Genord
Miss Wisconsin 2025.
Miss Wisconsin 2025.

Miss America

Mandi Genord, 22, was a triple major at the University of Alabama, where she studied dance, political science, and communication. She will begin law school in the fall of 2025 and aspires to become a family lawyer specializing in adoption.

Genord is an adoption advocate and has partnered with Adoption Choice Inc. and the National Council for Adoption.

Wyoming: Baylee Drewry
Miss Wyoming 2025.
Miss Wyoming 2025.

Miss America

Baylee Drewry, 22, is a law student and squadron commander for an auxiliary Air Force unit dedicated to finding crashed planes.

Drewry advocates for female athletes through her Promote Girls and Women in Sports social initiative.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Miss America is embroiled in legal drama weeks before the 2025 competition

The Miss America crown and scepter sit on a pillow.
Miss America is in the midst of a legal battle.

Donald Kravitz/Getty Images

  • The Miss America Organization is in a legal battle just weeks before the 2025 competition.
  • CEO Robin Fleming sued Glenn F. Straub on November 28, as both say they own the organization.
  • Straub filed for bankruptcy for Miss America, complicating the ownership dispute.

Miss America 2025 is just weeks away, and a legal battle over who owns the organization is playing out behind the scenes.

The 103-year-old competition has had several leadership controversies in the last decade, but this matter centers on Robin Fleming and Glenn F. Straub, who both purport to own Miss America.

In a sweeping, 32-cause complaint obtained by Business Insider, Fleming accused Straub, his lawyer, his company, and one of his employees of fraud, defamation, and trademark infringement.

Her lawsuit came days after Straub filed for bankruptcy on November 22. In a letter to Miss America board members, Straub wrote that Fleming was using the organization's scholarship fund to pay her legal fees, which was "putting Miss America in financial and legal jeopardy." He also said that the 2025 competition, scheduled for December 31 to January 3, will continue as planned.

Fleming said in her complaint that Straub's bankruptcy filing was fraudulent because he does not own the organization and Miss America Corporation, LLC, has no debt. She said Straub was attempting to sow "further chaos and confusion" amid their legal battle.

She told BI on Thursday that "Miss America has always been an activist" and believes "justice will prevail" in her case. "I just feel very strongly that this is a case about standing up and having your voice heard," she added.

"Robin Fleming's Miss America competition is going strong and will be fully successful," her attorney Gene Rossi said in a statement to BI. "Mr. Straub's litigation tricks are nothing more than shiny objects. All sound and fury with no meaning."

When asked for comment on this story, a representative for Straub pointed BI to the court's decision on Wednesday to dismiss Fleming's case without prejudice because of its length. The order allows Fleming to refile her complaint before December 20, which she told BI on Thursday that she intends to do.

Here's a timeline of all the legal drama detailed by Fleming and Straub's complaints.

Miss Colorado Madison Marsh has been crowned Miss America 2024.
Miss Colorado Madison Marsh has been crowned Miss America 2024.

Houston M Photography

2021: Robin Fleming and Glenn Straub connected

Fleming, who told BI she's in her 50s, and Straub, 78, briefly met at a charity event in 2008. Still, the two formed a professional friendship in 2021 at Palm Beach Polo Country Club, a luxury gated community in Florida that Straub owned and where Fleming was a resident.

Straub "presented as a wealthy and elderly man in his mid-70s keenly interested in her passion for businesses that empowered women and her passion for the pageant industry."

Summer 2022: Fleming tried to buy the Miss Universe Organization

Straub offered to finance the $20 million purchase of the Miss Universe Organization with Fleming "as owner and him as banker."

Fleming agreed to the proposition and made her interest known to the organization, providing Straub's name after it requested a call with her banker. The call never occurred, and it was announced in October 2022 that the Miss Universe Organization had been sold to Anne Jakrajutatip.

Fleming learned in 2024 that the Miss Universe Organization ceased its negotiations with her after learning Straub, according to her suit, had "allegedly choked a 22-year-old young woman in 2012 at a polo match."

Straub was arrested and charged with criminal battery. He filed a civil action against the woman for libel and slander. Both the civil and criminal cases were dismissed and closed.

September 15, 2022: Straub asked Fleming to be "friends with benefits."

During dinner together, Straub asked Fleming if they could become "friends with benefits."

Fleming texted Straub the following day, saying, "I like our relationship exactly as it is, fun business chatter/ambitions with a smattering of humor… I am too conservative for anything else."

Straub replied, "Check," and "never asked the question again."

December 30, 2022: Fleming purchased Miss America.

A pageant queen and a woman in a black suit stand on a stage together.
Robin Fleming with Miss America 2024.

Courtesy of Robin Fleming

Fleming said she bought Miss America's assets on behalf of Miss America Competition, LLC and Miss America IP, Inc., using three documents created by Straub's attorney, Craig Galle, who she used at Straub's suggestion.

Shantel Krebs signed one of the agreements on December 30, officially selling the organization's assets to Fleming.

Straub's company paid off a Small Business Administration loan for Miss America to help the purchase proceed, his only official role in the acquisition.

Fleming also said she attended the closing meeting alone.

2022 - March 2024: Fleming appeared to operate Miss America without incident

Following the acquisition, Fleming said that Krebs and the Miss America board formally welcomed her as the organization's "new owner" and publicly referred to her as its CEO at events and in the media.

Fleming said she operated as Miss America's CEO and owner for over a year without complaints from Straub.

In a January 2024 text included in the suit, Straub asked Fleming how he should introduce himself as the Miss America 2024 pageant, suggesting "banker."

That same month, according to the lawsuit, Straub attacked a talent judge at Miss America 2024 because he was a Black man talking to a white woman.

Straub admitted in texts to Fleming that the attack was racially motivated, her suit states.

March 15-16, 2024: Straub told Fleming he was "shutting down Miss America"

Straub's threat came a day after Fleming declined to serve as his proxy in a lawsuit against board members of their gated community.

Straub told Fleming he wanted to end Miss America because she "cannot be controlled" and the organization is a "waste of time." He also said Fleming was a "failure," "over the hill," and that he would bring her children into the "public humiliation" and send letters to all the Miss America state directors saying she was mentally ill.

The following day, Straub sent Fleming a letter notifying her of her "Temporary Suspension and Investigation" by the "Miss America Competitions, LLC." Fleming said the letterhead featured typos in both the company name and the spelling of Fleming's name.

Fleming said Straub also threatened to tie her up in "three years of civil litigation" unless she gave him "total control of Miss America" and promised to "always be subservient" to him.

April 12, 2024: Straub gave Fleming what she says is a fraudulent Operating Agreement for Miss America Competition, LLC.

Fleming said Straub presented three different versions of the document created by Galle and dated December 28, 2022, between April and August.

Her legal team said metadata for one of the documents indicated it was created on August 25, 2023.

April 15, 2024: Straub tried to fire Fleming.

Glenn F. Straub in 2017.
Glenn F. Straub in 2017.

AP Photo/Wayne Parry

Fleming's suit said Straub texted her on April 12 to tell her she was fired as Miss America's CEO.

It added that he intended to email the Miss America state directors and tell them she was stealing money from the organization, which Fleming said was defamatory.

Her suit also states that he sent her a "Termination Notice" on April 15, which Fleming rejected in a written statement on April 16.

April 25, 2024: Straub filed a lawsuit against Fleming in Palm Beach, Florida.

Straub's complaint said Fleming had never been an "owner" of any Miss America entity and sued her for breach of fiduciary duties and obligations, "at will" employment agreement, temporary and permanent injunctive relief, and trademark infringement.

His complaint sought $20 million in damages.

April 29, 2024: Straub said he was Miss America's owner in a letter to staffers.

Straub sent a letter to Miss America directors and licensees in late December 2022 stating that he had "purchased all the assets of the former Miss America Organization."

He also said he hired Fleming to run Miss America and terminated her "after we received damaging information and conducted an extensive audit of her conduct while working with the organization."

In response to the letter, Krebs and other former Miss America board members told licensees and directors via email they had "voted unanimously to transfer the assets to Robin Fleming."

Straub also hosted Zoom meetings with Miss America licensees and contractual partners in May, during which he said he was Miss America's owner and had fired Fleming as CEO.

July 29, 2024: Straub said he planned to file for bankruptcy on Miss America's behalf.

According to a court docket reviewed by BI, Straub and Fleming were ordered to hold a "conciliation conference" to discuss his state-level lawsuit against her.

In her lawsuit, Fleming said Straub used the meeting to "directly threaten, intimidate and extort" her. She said Straub told her he wanted to "shut down Miss America," called himself "Hamas" and Fleming "Israel," and said he was Hitler.

Her complaint also said that Straub said he "intended to file for bankruptcy on behalf of her Miss America" during the meeting.

Fall of 2024: Fleming said Straub made defamatory statements about her

Fleming said Straub sent additional letters to state executive directors in September saying he had fired her, and, in November 2024, he publicly said she was funding her legal defense through Miss America's scholarship fund.

Her suit described his statements as defamatory and led to potential business deals to fall through.

Notably, the complaint said the "organizers of the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving parade withdrew their invitation to have Miss America participate in the parade, which has been a yearly tradition since the 1940s."

Miss America 2023 at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Miss America 2023 at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Noam Galai/WireImage/Getty Images

November 22, 2024: Straub filed a bankruptcy petition on behalf of Miss America.

Straub filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of Florida on behalf of Miss America Competition, LLC.

Fleming filed an emergency response to the bankruptcy filing on November 25, saying the bankruptcy was "a 'scorched earth' litigation strategy to attempt to sabotage the upcoming Miss America Competition and cause reputational harm to Ms. Fleming."

In the response, Fleming said Straub could not file for bankruptcy for Miss America Corporation because she is its sole member, manager, and owner.

November 28, 2024: Fleming filed a complaint against Straub, Galle, Kathleen A. Fialco, and Palm Beach Polo, Inc. in the Southern District of Florida.

Fleming's suit lists 32 causes of action, including fraud, defamation, and more. She is seeking $500 million in damages for herself and Miss America.

In her complaint, she said she was the rightful owner of Miss America and provided a timeline for its purchase, details of Straub's involvement, and evidence that Straub and his attorney created false documentation to show he owned it.

Fleming's case was dismissed on December 4, 2024, without prejudice, with the court requesting Fleming's lawyers condense their complaint.

Fleming told BI on Thursday that she would file a new version of the suit before the new December 20 deadline.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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