Annandale Native Makes Top 12 in Miss USA Pageant

(KNSI) — A central Minnesota woman finished in the Top 12 at Monday’s Miss USA pageant.

Representing the Land of 10,000 Lakes was Annandale native Maddie Helget. She was crowned Miss Minnesota in May and traveled across the country, even abroad, to Cancun, Mexico, in preparation for the final event that aired on Hulu and FYI network.

The broadcast opened with all 51 contestants on stage from each state and the District of Columbia. Immediately the field was cut to 16 finalists based on interviews conducted earlier in the day. Helget talked about the resiliency and strength she developed during the pageant process.

Another cut brought the field to 12, with Helget still alive. She participated in the swimwear and evening gown sections before judges selected the last five. Helget was not picked by the judges, who instead went with Miss Illinois, Miss Nebraska, Miss North Carolina, Miss Ohio, and Miss Texas.

They gathered around a table to discuss a range of issues, mostly lighthearted, including the return of flared jeans and online shopping experiences. Eventually, the last woman standing was Miss Texas, R’Bonney Gabriel. The Philipina-American fashion designer will compete for the USA in January’s Miss Universe competition in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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