‘Pedestrian’ walks away with top37 prize TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

Miss USA 2013 , center left, comes forward dur- ing the Miss USA pageant in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday.—AP/AFP photos

Miss crowned as 63rd Miss USA ewly crowned Miss USA Nia Sanchez, a fourth- and swimsuits were: home state beauty queen, Miss stances do not define your life.” Contestants entered degree black belt in the Korean martial art of Brittany Guidry; Miss Tiana Griggs, the stage on a glitzy float as Louisiana native singer- Ntaekwondo, says women need to be able to Miss Brittany Oldehoff and Miss Iowa Carlyn songwriter Marc Broussard sang the hits defend themselves as a way to battle the problem of Bradarich. All the titles included USA after the state. “Iko Iko” and “Hey Pocky Way” to kick off the 2014 con- campus rape and that bringing awareness to the issue Bradarich got a second chance when the viewing test. The women introduced themselves while holding was very important. The 24-year-old from , audience gave her the most votes on Twitter in the Mardi Gras masks in their hands as purple, green and USA Nia Sanchez celebrates with her competitors after Nevada, beat out 50 other contestants from all the pageant’s first-ever “Save the Queen” option. Erin Brady, gold confetti fell in the background. The pageant also being crowned Miss USA. states and the District of Columbia Sunday night for the of South Glastonbury, , the 2013 winner, included musical acts by the country music duo Florida title of 63rd Miss USA. First runner-up was Miss North gave up her crown to Sanchez after a three-hour tele- Georgia Line, rapper Nelly and Latin pop band Camila. Dakota . Sanchez will go on to represent the cast from the Baton Rouge Civic Center in Louisiana. Celebrity judges walked a red carpet in evening US at the competition later this year. Other runner-ups, judged on interviews, evening gowns and tuxedos before the start of the show, pos- In a vibrant red floor-length fishtail gown, Miss gowns and swimsuits were: home state beauty queen, ing for pictures and talking about the qualities they Nevada answered judge Rumer Willis’ question about Brittany Guidry; Tiana would be looking for in the beauty they crown the win- the high rate of sexual assaults on college campuses. Griggs, Brittany Oldehoff and Miss Iowa ner. “It’s very important that she has confidence,” said Willis, the 25-year-old daughter of Bruce Willis and Carlyn Bradarich. All the titles included USA after the Barbara Palacios, Miss Universe 1986 and a coach and Demi Moore, said 19 percent of US undergraduate state. judge for the new Telemundo reality show, “Miss Latina women are victims of sexual assault and asked Sanchez The subject of sexual assault was also on the mind Universo.” “The right attitude and perseverance are also why she thinks this is being swept under the rug and of Valerie Gatto. She made headlines very important.” what should be done about it. Sanchez, who started this week when she said she was the product of rape. “It’s all about the eyes,” said Lance Bass of the pop taking taekwondo lessons at age 8 and is now a certi- During a taped segment that aired when her name was singing boy group NSYNC. “I just want to see a girl that fied instructor, said women need to take it upon them- called, Gatto said her mother was 19 when she was is just really having a good time up there.” selves to learn how to defend themselves. attacked leaving work in Pittsburgh and became preg- Donald Trump, who owns the Miss Universe Erin Brady, of Connecticut, the 2013 winner, gave up nant. Organization, which includes the Miss USA pageant, her crown to Sanchez after a three-hour telecast from also walked the red carpet.—AP the Baton Rouge Civic Center in Louisiana. Five other Importance of confidence top runner-ups, judged on interviews, evening gowns Gatto said she is living proof “that your circum- Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez is crowned Miss USA.

Hosts Thomas Roberts, center left, and Giuliana Rancic, center right, introduce the contestants for the Miss USA pageant. Runner-up Miss USA Audra Mari participates in the evening gown competition.

Miss Georgia USA Tiana Griggs, from left, Miss Louisiana USA Brittany Alyson Guidry, Miss Nevada USA Nia Sanchez, Miss Florida USA Brittany Oldehoff, Miss Miss Louisiana USA Brittany North Dakota USA Audra Mari and Miss Iowa USA Carlyn Bradarich, stand during USA Audra Mari, Alyson Guidry participates in the the Miss USA pageant. left, and Miss Nevada USA Nia Singer Nelly (center) performs with Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of evening gown competition. Sanchez await the final decision. Florida Georgia Line during the 2014 Miss USA Competition.