MISS USA - Behind The Curtain at MISS USA

Children often dream of becoming major league baseball players or movie stars. For many of these women, the dream was different: to be a queen. Praised as a source of empowerment for young girls, criticized as degrading to women, and periodically tarnished by scandal, beauty pageants have become a distinctly American institution. It is a world where artificial perfection is normalized and a panel of judges ultimately decides one’s fate.

In this project, I examine beauty pageants through a lens of fascination, respect, awe, and quiet sadness.

The work takes viewers behind the scenes at two of the largest pageants in the world—Miss USA and Miss Universe—revealing moments of competition, camaraderie, heartbreak, and resolve. The photographs capture the determination of contestants chasing a dream many have pursued their entire lives. Sashes, extreme thinness, makeup, curlers, and high heels define this world, all in pursuit of being crowned “Miss” for a single year.

Group of women competing in a beauty pageant outdoors, wearing bikinis and sashes for different countries, with palm trees in the background.
A woman wearing a sash labeled 'California' stands in front of a line of women waiting behind her in a large, empty room with patterned carpet.
A woman applying eye makeup, reflected in a small mirror, with another woman holding a makeup palette in the background.
Reflection of women in black swimsuits and colorful accessories in a glass surface at night, with a brightly lit building in the background.
Three women in bikinis are being filmed and interviewed on the beach with two sitting on blue towels and one lying on a cafe chair, with a man in a blue shirt and red shorts walking in the background.
A woman on a boat wearing a large colorful sun hat and a blue dress, with a sash that says ZAMBIA, holding a small camera, and sitting on a boat on a calm lake with mountains in the background.
Woman biting into a watermelon slice on a table outdoors, with another watermelon half beside her, splattered with watermelon pieces.
Women in purple costumes and high heels walking up stairs, viewed from below and behind.
A woman in a white dress sitting alone in an empty theater or auditorium with purple seats, illuminated by dim purple lighting, resting her head on the seat armrest.
Large screen displaying a figure skater performing on ice with the text 'Sweden' in the background, stage with red lighting
Six women in pink swimsuits riding horses into the ocean at the beach under a blue sky.
A woman in a colorful bikini and gold jacket looks at a person wearing pink and orange underwear, with a gold jacket, holding a black bar. The scene appears to be in a club or stage setting with lighting.
A woman on stage wearing a colorful feathered dress and a vibrant headpiece, standing in front of an orange lit backdrop with star-like lights.
A woman with dark hair wearing a white dress and a sash sleeping on a wooden chair outdoors, next to a trailer with an American flag sticker.
Person lying on the floor in a white gi, possibly a martial arts uniform, reaching toward the brown carpeted floor and a white wall.
Women participating in a fitness or beauty pageant in a gym setting, wearing sashes with country names such as 'Romania', 'Spain', and 'Venezuela'.
Group of women performing a synchronized dance or exercise on a raised platform outdoors under a clear blue sky, with flags in the background and tree branches framing the scene.
Women in bikini and high heels looking out a large skylight window in an indoor space with ceramic tile flooring, a large potted plant, a wooden bench, a red flotation device, and a fire extinguisher on the blue wall.
Two women lying on a bed, one in a red top sleeping and the other in a black top looking at her.
Model in a white dress with a large bow at the waist, standing backstage at a fashion show with other models in the background.
A model on stage performing a dance or fashion move with a large red cape or fabric flowing around her, wearing high-heeled lace-up shoes, at a beauty or fashion event with posters of women with styled hair and makeup in the background.
Beauty pageant contestants on stage wearing swimsuits with sashes, standing in a row, with judges seated in front of the stage.
Two women walking backstage at a fashion show, wearing matching purple shorts and high heels, with one woman’s arm around the other.
Four women wearing purple bikinis and sashes representing Uruguay, Venezuela, Spain, and an unspecified country, walking down a black staircase during a beauty pageant or fashion show in a dimly lit venue.
Women in bikinis and sashes representing different states at a buffet table, with snacks, cookies, and candies, under a canopy.
Beauty pageant contestants in evening gowns and sashes with country names, standing backstage, with one contestant looking surprised and others clapping or smiling.
Photographer capturing a young woman with a sash at an outdoor event in Las Vegas with people in swimsuits and a lemon drink stand in the background.
Women dining outdoors at night, eating chicken wings and vegetables, with neon signs and a guitar-shaped light in the background.
A woman wearing a sash labeled 'Virginia' and a gold dress, preparing backstage at a beauty pageant, with other contestants in similar dresses and sashes in the background, and stage equipment present.
A young woman lying in bed using a laptop, with a bedside table holding various items and a large red lamp, and an empty bed with a sparkly garment draped over it.
Group of women sitting on the floor, wearing sashes representing different countries, attending an event or competition, with some women appearing focused or pensive.
A woman wearing a yellow gown and a sash that says 'Finalist' looking down with her hand on her stomach, standing alone in the foreground. Behind her, a line of women in evening gowns and sashes waits in a room with chairs and display booths.
Woman with blonde curly hair looking at herself in a bathroom mirror, applying makeup, surrounded by toiletries and personal items on the black granite bathroom counter.
Women participating in a beauty pageant backstage, wearing sashes with country names, dressed in evening gowns, with some preparing for the stage.
A lineup of five women wearing purple bikinis and sashes with titles, standing with hands clasped or pressed together, participating in a beauty pageant or Crown contest.
A group of women practicing hula hoop routines in a large indoor venue, with some women wearing sashes and performing synchronized movements.
Group of women in swimsuits and high heels standing outside a convention center, some covering their faces, with palm trees reflected in the glass doors.