Miss South Carolina USA


The Miss South Carolina USA competition, previously known as Miss South Carolina Universe, is the pageant that selects the representative for the state South Carolina in the Miss USA pageant, and the name of the title held by that winner. The pageant is produced by Paula Miles, the sister of Miss South Carolina USA 1979, Janice McDonald, from 1980 until 2024 under directed by RPM Productions. In 2025 and onwards, the pageant is now produced and directed by Ariana Blaize, Miss Universe Guyana 2024, under A Blaize Productions alongside the rest of former RPM states.
Miriam Stevenson, South Carolina's first Miss USA and the United States' first Miss Universe, was also the first Miss USA winner to have competed at Miss America. She was the first woman to have competed at Miss America, Miss USA, and Miss Universe. South Carolina's second Miss USA was Shawn Weatherly, who also went on to win Miss Universe.
Nine Miss South Carolina USAs have also held the Miss South Carolina Teen USA title and competed at Miss Teen USA. Two have also competed at Miss America.
Miss South Carolina USA titleholders have also competed at two other major international pageants. Gina Tolleson, first runner-up at Miss USA 1990, went on to win the Miss World crown that year, and Miss South Carolina USA 2004, Amanda Pennekamp, has also competed at the Miss Earth 2006 pageant where she made the top 16.
Gallienne Nabila of Greer was crowned Miss South Carolina USA 2025 on August 31, 2025, at The Twichell Auditorium in Spartanburg. She represented South Carolina for the title of Miss USA 2025.
WWW misssouthcarolinausa.com

Results summary

South Carolina' holds a record of 40 placements at Miss USA third overall behind Texas and California.

Awards

  • Miss Congeniality: Kiki Kirkland
  • Miss Photogenic: Sonja Glenn
  • Best State Costume: Vicki Chesser, Virginia Murray
  • Best in Swimsuit: Lauren Poppell

Winners

;Color key
YearNameHometownAgeLocal titlePlacement at Miss USASpecial awards at Miss USANotes
2025Gallienne NabilaGreer28Miss GreerTop 20
2024Gracen GraingerClemson22Miss Golden CornerTop 20
2023Kirby Elizabeth SelfGreenwood23Miss UpstateTop 20
  • Previously Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2018
  • * First Runner-Up at Miss Teen USA 2018
    • 2022Meera BhonsléLexington25Miss Upstate
    2021Marley StokesLexington23Miss Golden CornerTop 8
  • Previously Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2016
  • *2nd runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2016
    • 2020Hannah Jane CurryGreer20Miss Greenville
    2019MaKenzie DivinaAnderson21Miss Upstate
  • Previously Miss South Carolina Teen United States 2016
    • 2018Tori SizemoreAnderson22Miss Golden Corner
  • Previously Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2013
  • *1st runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2013
  • Later Miss South Carolina Volunteer 2022
    • 2017Megan GordonNorth Augusta23Miss UpstateTop 5
  • Later Miss South Carolina World 2019
  • *Later 1st runner-up at Miss World America 2019
    • 2016Leah LawsonLaurens21Miss Mountain LakesTop 15Auditioned on American Idol season 14 and eliminated during Hollywood Week
    2015Sarah WeishuhnGoose Creek20Miss Summerville
    2014Christina ZapolskiCharleston22Miss Isle of PalmsTop 10Contestant on Hunted
    2013Megan PinckneyNorth Charleston21Miss James Island5th runner-up
  • Previously Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2010
    • 2012Erika PowellGreenville26Top 16
  • Previously Miss South Carolina 2005
  • *Top 10 at Miss America 2006
  • Former nanny of Hugh Jackman
    • 2011Courtney TurnerNorth Augusta20Top 8
  • Previously Miss United States Teen 2009
    • 2010Rachel LawGreenville21
    2009Stephanie Murray SmithGoose Creek21Top 10Contestant on The Amazing Race 17
    2008Jamie HillColumbia24Top 15Contestant on The Amazing Race 10
    2007Ashley ZaisNewberry20Top 15
    2006Lacie LybrandLexington23Top 10
  • Miss United States 2002
    • 2005Sarah MedleyNorth Charleston18
  • Previously Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2001
    • 2004Amanda PennekampColumbia221st runner-up
  • Later Miss Earth USA 2006
  • *Top 16 semifinalist at Miss Earth 2006
    • 2003Anna HanksBelton21Top 10
  • Miss United States 2005
    • 2002Ashley WilliamsLittle Mountain20Top 12
    2001Candace RichardsFountain Inn24
    2000Lisa RabonMyrtle Beach21Top 10
    1999Lauren PoppellRock Hill23Top 5 Best in Swimsuit
  • Previously Miss South Carolina Teen USA 1993
  • *Top 12 at Miss Teen USA 1993
    • 1998Sonja GlennChesnee21Miss Photogenic
    1997Casey MizellIrmo22
    1996Lysa JacksonCharleston19
    1995Danielle CorleyLexington23
    1994Lu ParkerCharleston26Miss USA 1994Top 6 finalist at Miss Universe 1994
    1993Kelli GosnellPacolet22Semi-finalist
    1992Audra Yolanda WallaceCharleston222nd runner-up
  • 2nd runner-up at Miss World USA 1993
    • 1991Traci RuftyColumbia21
    1990Gina TollesonSpartanburg201st Runner-up
  • Later Miss World America 1990 and Miss World 1990
    • 1989Angela ShulerRock Hill21
  • Previously Miss South Carolina Teen USA 1986
    • 1988April AbelJohnston20Semi-finalist
    1987Elizabeth WoodardAiken21
  • Previously Miss South Carolina Teen USA 1983
    • 1986Maribeth CurryMauldin20Semi-finalist
    1985Ann Margarete HughesCharleston
    1984Ginger GreerLugoff
    1983Allison GrissoColumbia212nd Runner-up
    1982Margo WoodColumbia
    1981Zade TurnerMyrtle Beach21
    1980Shawn Nichols WeatherlySumter20Miss USA 1980Miss Universe 1980
    1979Janice McDonaldMyrtle Beach20Co-founder of RPM Productions with her sister Paula Miles
    1978Kathryn ThreattPickens
    1977Pam HooverFlorence
    1976Virginia MurrayChester3rd Runner-upBest CostumeFlight attendant and survivor of United Airlines Flight 232
    1975Robin MorrisGreenville
    1974Carol Lynn HollisRock Hill
    1973Kiki KirklandNewberry21Congeniality
    1972Susan GordonRock HillSemi-finalist
  • Non-finalist at Miss World USA 1970 representing South Carolina
    • 1971Eunice CampbellEastover
    1970Vickie Lynn ChesserMt. Pleasant191st Runner-upBest Costume
    1969Eva EngleColumbia2nd Runner-up
    1968Kathryn "Kay" Knoy
    1967Lanette Hope PattersonCayce20
    1966Joselyn Jeanne AlarieColumbia-
    1965Vicki Jean HarrisonLexingtonTop 15
    1964Judy Kennedy
    1963Cecelia McBride YoderTop 15
  • Represented South Carolina in Miss USA World 1963 but did not place.
    • 1962Judy Clyburn
    1961Yvonne Quick
    1960Margaret Thompson
    1959Mary Powell
    1958Patricia Ann MossSemi-finalist
    1957Jean SpottsSemi-finalist
    1956Betty CherryColumbia1st Runner-up
  • Later Miss World United States 1956, 1st runner up at Miss World 1956.
    • 1955Sara StoneSemi-finalist
    1954Miriam StevensonWinnsboro20Miss USA 1954Miss Universe 1954
  • Previously Miss South Carolina 1953
    • 1953Mary Kemp Griffin1st runner-up
  • She competed as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, represented the US at Miss World 1953, and finished as 5th runner-up
    • 1953Susan Anthony DaySemi-finalist
    1952Margie Allen