Miss Rhode Island USA


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.
Brianna Vega of Providence was crowned Miss Rhode Island USA 2025 on May 25, 2025, at Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. She represented Rhode Island at Miss USA 2025.

Results summary

Placements

  • Miss USA: Olivia Culpo
  • 1st runner-up: Danielle Lacourse
  • 2nd runners-up: Gayle White, Anea Garcia
  • Top 10/'11/12: Jennifer Aubin, Claudia Jordan, Yanaiza Alvarez, Janet Sutton, Leeann Tingley
  • Top 15/20: Joan Zeller, Amy Diaz, Brianna Vega
Rhode Island' holds a record of 12 placements at Miss USA.

Awards

  • Miss Congeniality: Christina Palavra

Winners

;Color key
YearNameHometownAge1Local titlePlacement at Miss USASpecial awards at Miss USANotes
2025Brianna VegaProvidence29Miss Downtown ProvidenceTop 20
2024Kaitlynne SantanaWoonsocket22Miss Woonsocket
2023Mary MalloyCumberland26
2022Elaine ColladoProvidence27
  • Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2013
    • 2021Karly LalibertePawtucket26Shortest reigning Miss Rhode Island USA
    2020Jonét NichelleProvidence24
  • New England Patriots Cheerleader
  • Longest reigning Miss Rhode Island USA
  • Third longest reigning Miss USA state titleholder in the organization's history
    • 2019Nicole PallozziProvidence22
    2018Johnston21
  • Later Miss World America Rhode Island 2018
    • 2017Kelsey SwansonCranston22
    2016Theresa AgoniaProvidence23
    2015Anea GarciaCranston192nd runner-up
  • Later Miss Grand International 2015 as Dominican Republic, later resigned/dethroned
    • 2014Christina PalavraProvidence18Miss CongenialitySeason 16 Model on Project Runway
    2013Brittany StenovitchCranston19
    2012Olivia CulpoCranston19Miss USA 2012
  • Later Miss Universe 2012
    • 2011Kate McCaugheyLincoln22
    2010Kristina PrimaveraNarragansett22
  • Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2003
    • 2009Alysha CastonguayWoonsocket22
  • Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2002 and Top 10 Semifinalist at Miss Teen USA 2002, Previously Miss Teen America 2003
    • 2008Amy DiazJohnston23Top 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 (American TV series)|The Amazing Race]
    • 2007Danielle LacourseNorth Providence211st runner-up
    2006Leeann TingleyEast Greenwich24Top 10
    2005Allison PaganettiNorth Kingstown21Appears on CBS reality show Hunted as part of the hunter team "Echo".
    2004Sarah BettencourtLincoln20
    2003Krisily KennedyWarwick23Runner-up on season 7 of The Bachelor and a contestant on the first season of Bachelor Pad
    2002Janet SuttonNarragansett23Top 12
    2001Yanaiza AlvarezProvidence24Top 10Was a contestant on the show Fear Factor Episode 2.6 original air date 1/14/2002
    2000Heidi St. PierreHarrisville23
    1999Claire DeSimoneWarwick
  • Later Mrs. Massachusetts America 2004 and Top 10 semi-finalist at Mrs. America 2004 under her married name, Claire O'Connor.
    • 1998Connie HarrolleEast Providence
    1997Claudia JordanEast Providence23Top 10
  • Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 1990; Suitcase model on Deal or [No Deal (USA)|Deal or No Deal]
    • 1996Karen BradleyProvidence19
    1995Jennifer AubinWoonsocket20Top 12
    1994RayeAnne JohnsonLincoln
  • Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 1987
    • 1993Juli RoachWakefield
    1992Yvette HernandezProvidence
    1991Lynne MichaelCranston
    1990Susan LimaWarwick, Rhode Island|West Warwick]
    1989Debra DamianoProvidence
    1988Cindy GerondaNorth Providence
    1987Lisa BensonNorth Kingstown
    1986Donna SilvaCranston
    1985Dana WilsonRiverside
    1984Debbie MowryNorth Providence
    1983Allegra HendricksProvidence
    1982Peggy McGrawScituate
    1981Patti ReoCranston
    1980Robyn HallPawtucket
    1979Theresa PattersonLincoln
    1978Sharon Lee McGarryWarwick
    1977Susan CartenCranston
    1976Kathleen ConfredaWarwick
    1975Marice LoveProvidence
    1974Debra Anne CerroniSmithfield
    1973Gayle WhiteProvidence212nd runner-up
    1972Jeanne LemayWest Warwick
    1971Laurie StahleNorth Kingstown
    1970Rebecca GalleshawWarwick
    1969Donna LewisProvidence
    1968Betty Lou WhitmoreProvidence
    1967Nancy GiulianoWoonsocket
    1966Barbara WilliamsProvidence
    1965Paula M. FarrowWarwick21
    1964Carol Ann TantimonicoJohnston
    1963Rosemary Jane DickinsonProvidence
    1962Marilyn Ann ScottPawtucket
    1961Joan Marie ZellerRiverside23Semi-finalist
    1960Lorelei Sue WhiteCranston20
    1959Gloria RyderProvidence
    1958Claire DiPaoloProvidence
    1957Myrna AltieriCranston
    1956Sandra VozellaPoint Judith
    1955Beverly JansenProvidence
    1954Joyce Anne SandbergWarwick
  • Previously crowned Miss Rhode Island in 1953. Later served as First Lady of Rhode Island from 1973 to 1977.
    • 1953Barbara Rose DeigmanProvidence
    1952Delores SelinderProvidence
    1 Age at the time of the Miss Rhode Island USA pageant