The Miss Universe Organization this weekend crowned Miss Connecticut the next Miss USA.
25-year-old Erin Brady was awarded the title during the 62nd Annual Miss USA Competition. The show was hosted by Giuliana Rancic and pop star Nick Jonas. Jonas and his brothers (known as The Jonas Brothers) performed during the show.
Brady is an accountant for Prudential Retirement in Hartford, Connecticut. She has a degree in finance from Central Connecticut University.
The Miss Universe Organization claims that this weekend’s pageant was watched by over 250 million viewers. Fans of the competition were able to influence results this year, voting contestants into the top 6. The final winner was determined by a paned of celebrity judges, including Bob Harper, Betsey Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Nikki Bella, and Mo Rocca.
Miss Rhode Island was the winner of last year’s Miss USA pageant and went on to be crowned Miss Universe later that year. Shortly after she was crowned, at least two Miss USA contestants stepped forward with allegations of the competition being rigged. The former Miss Pennsylvania resigned over the allegations, though the Miss Universe Organization claims she resigned in protest over the organization’s refusal to allow transgender contestants.