Congratulations on taking the first step to become a candidate of Miss Earth USA 2025 during the 25th Silver Anniversary of MISS EARTH.
We understand that you may have some questions about the updated and exciting new format this year!! If you have not yet joined our email list or sent an application, please JOIN HERE so you can receive all notifications of deadlines, partner announcements and more!
These FAQs and Policies are Strictly for the MISS Division Age 18-25
BECOME A MISS EARTH USA CANDIDATE
VIEW THE PRETTY DOWN TO EARTH PRESS RELEASE
ABOUT MISS EARTH USA
Miss Earth USA is the official national preliminary to Miss Earth, an international environmental and social platform for confident and inspirational young women. Recognized as one of the nation’s most prestigious pageant organizations, Miss Earth USA and its 501(c)3 nonprofit entity the B4ACUSA Foundation are based in Virginia. The next national pageant including divisions for ages 5-26 will be January 4-5, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. The selection of Miss Earth USA will continue through Summer 2025 captured in the QBN original television series “Pretty Down to Earth - the Road to Miss Earth 2025.”
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ELIGIBILITY
Who is eligible to join the preliminary round of Miss Earth USA?
According to the rules set by the MISS EARTH organization, candidates should be never married, never birthed children, between the ages of 18-25 years old as of November 25, 2024.
Who is eligible to hold a state title?
If your state title is available, a candidate will be considered by the executive committee based on online application, headshot, social media and brief intro video review. If we are unable to offer a state title, you are offered the opportunity to hold a local or county title. However, this year, titles are NOT required and candidates will not compete as states/regions at the preliminary competition.
Is there a state pageant in my region?
License holders have been signed in the following states and will be holding state pageants or castings for the MISS title in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Please inquire in order to meet the state pageant deadline.
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PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
What are the costs to appear in the preliminary competition?
Now until September 15, 2024, the national activity fee is $495. From September 15 through December 1, 2024, we will accept candidates at the original fee $495 + $100 late fee. All candidates are required to raise $300 charitable fundraising for the nonprofit 501(C)3 by December 31.
What are the title options?
Available state title invitations are extended through online application. Nearly all candidates, if not offered a state representation, may select an available local title to represent the Miss Earth USA organization.
I heard that state titles are not required to participate this year. How does that work?
In order to provide opportunities to today's modern and mobile young women, state or regional titles are not required in the upcoming January 2025 preliminary competition. In Orlando, candidates will not wear sashes, they will wear name badges and competition numbers. State and local titleholders are welcome to wear sashes during travel, arrival, or at community activities. Upon arrival to the official competition, sashes are not worn. Each candidate will be known by name and will not compete representing a state, region or local title.
What is scored in the preliminary competition?
- Photogenic pre-pageant submission
- Instagram social media pre-pageant collaboration
- Think Global Act Local project completion & documentation
- Live photography and videography in Orlando
- On stage runway in Orlando
- On stage swimwear in Orlando
- On stage formalwear in Orlando
- On stage impact statement in Orlando
What wardrobe is provided to preliminary candidates?
- Vizcaya is the official swimwear partner providing matching swimwear designed by the pageant
- Beauty Queens Galore Prom & Pageant is the official opening performance attire partner
- Earrings provided
- Logo rehearsal shirt provided
Tell me more about the Think Global Act Local requirement. Do I need to be really into environmentalism to compete at Miss Earth USA?
We are so proud to continue the legacy initiated by Andreia Gibau, Miss Earth USA 2017, who started the very first campaign to encourage our candidates to conduct a Think Global Act Local project. This activity is up to you and should be simple and easily relatable to the public. Our goal is to show our followers that beauty queens are committed to the community, especially in ways that are sustainable, environmental, natural, and helpful for our planet. Our winning candidates have the opportunity to focus on campaigns that are most important to them personally and regionally. Danielle Mullins focused on wildlife conservation, Bea Millan-Windorski discussed climate policy, and Marisa Butler started her own parks cleanup nonprofit organization. We know that not every 18-26 year old is educated fully in all aspects of environmental education and policy, and you should be comfortable showing us what YOU care about during your Think Global Act Local activity.
When will the interview be held for preliminary competition?
This year, preliminary candidates do NOT participate in a formal interview before or during activities in Orlando. Only the finalists chosen during preliminaries will participate in a formal interview process during finalist activities in summer 2025.
What dates are required of me for preliminary competition?
January 2-6, 2025 are preliminary competition dates in Orlando, with up to 15 finalists announced on January 5. These finalists are required to remain on site through 2:00pm on Monday, January 6. All candidates should book hotel check in no later than 3:00pm on Thursday, January 2 and book hotel check out no earlier than Monday, January 6. Arrival on or before January 1 is highly encouraged, so you are settled and can engage fully in activities starting January 2.
What are the optional activities in Orlando on December 30 - January 1?
Optional activities may be fun for you to spend time with your family or make the most of your time during this pageant preliminary process. We have Disney & Universal parks partnerships to purchase discounted passes. Additionally, coaches and photographers will have available sessions to book on site at the pageant hotel.
Do I book my own travel and lodging?
Yes! We are elated to return to the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando for the 4th consecutive year. This 4.5 star property provides a discounted group rate of $139 USD per night. Candidates may bring along family, coach, or enjoy a private room to yourself. We will match candidates who are interested in roommates however, all bookings are the responsibility of the candidates. All activities take place on the Rosen Centre property and in order to be prompt and well rested, we require all candidates to stay at the Rosen Centre.
What additional benefits are provided to preliminary candidates?
Thank you to many partners, we provide occasional virtual workshops exclusively to our candidates. These include a makeup tutorial with Lisa Opie, impact statement prep session with Erika at Pageant Prep, social media tips & best practices, and more. During the pageant week, you will enjoy a runway master class with Joen of DIVO Academy. Additionally, we have discounts for many valuable vendors like Pinkapple Dresses, Beauty Queens Galore Prom & Pageant, The Lady Code Shop, Marc Defang, Garbo Grabber cleanup tools, and more.
VIEW PARTNERS
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FINALIST INFORMATION
What dates are required of Finalists?
- Finalists will reconvene during an expense-paid trip for up to 6 days between May 19-31, 2025. Location and details will be provided, tentatively scheduled for New York. We aim to schedule the filming dates so any college students can complete their semester requirements without conflict. Travel and lodging are covered by the MEUSA organization.
- Finalists will appear at the final coronation and 25th anniversary events for up to 3 days between June 28-August 4. Again, travel and lodging are covered by the organization for the final event.
- Finalists will be asked to attend monthly Zoom planning conferences
- There will be simple "home challenges" during this time that will not require your travel, such as volunteering in your community or posting a sponsor shout out.
What opportunities will I receive as a Finalist?
- From February - July, several events will be held across the United States with limited number of positions available to represent the Miss Earth organization. These events include New York Fashion Week, the Global Beauty Awards, Mission Trips, Miami Swim Week and more. Each finalist is encouraged to appear at one modeling event and one mission event with various dates and activities presented to them.
- All finalists will have a press release and media kit prepared for them, with media outreach in their communities.
- All finalists will have an endorsement contract with sponsors and organizations, such as the Clean Earth Project and LuLaRoe. Up to 10 partnerships are being organized and will be announced associated with the Queen Beauty Network and the 25th Anniversary of Miss Earth.
- Each finalist will meet one on one with (MEUSA) Creative Director to discuss her performance at preliminaries and how to manage their image and preparation for the series filming and competition elements
What will be required of me if I'm named a finalist?
- Community outreach activities at your discretion
- Media appearances at your discretion
- Social media engagement at your discretion
- Expense paid travel to/from the series filming location, with up to 6 nights provided, tentatively scheduled between May 18-31
- Expense paid travel to/from the final coronation location, with up to 3 nights provided, tentatively scheduled June 29-August 3
- Monthly Zoom meetings wih the organizers
- Finalists may not participate in another pageant organization until August 2025 at the earliest. Being that the USA/Universe organization has no age, marital or other restrictions, you are asked to focus your time on the opportunity to be named Miss Earth USA.
Will you be crowning elemental titles?
Yes, the titles of Air, Water, Fire & Eco will be awarded, receive crowns and sashes. Elemental titles are not binding, meaning titleholders can choose to participate in another pageant organization. Elemental title winners are able to return to compete at Miss Earth USA, if still eligible in future years.
Will finalists be eliminated during the series filming?
No! All finalists will participate in all challenge and coronation activities. Only during the final coronation event, finalists will be narrowed to smaller groups for final look and on stage impact statements
What do finalists receive?
- Expense paid travel to New York City in late May 2025
- Expense paid travel to final coronation
- Clean Earth Project ambassador apparel
- Style and modeling coaching by DIVO Academy
- Makeup coaching
- Multiple photo shoots
- Beauty & health gifts
- Daywear gifts
- Swimwear gifts
- Footwear gifts
- National finalist sash
- Featured appearance in QBNTV series
What challenges will be part of the series filming?
The organization is currently in the process of selecting challenges, partners, locations and other details. Some challenges will be eco-related such as sustainable fashion or outdoor natural travel activities. Some challenges will be related to beauty, fashion, photography and modeling.
What are the series living and meal accommodations?
All finalists will stay at a 4 star resort or hotel and will be matched with a roommate. Meals will be provided and various dietary concerns will be accommodated. All necessary details will be provided during Finalist meetings following the preliminary announcements in Orlando.
Who are the judges?
Miss Earth USA intends to assign a core judging panel of 4-5 judges, with occasional guest judges taking part throughout activities. Core judges will be part of both preliminary selection panel as well as the final selection panel. Guest judges are sponsors, officials, celebrities and others who play a key role in the series challenges or subject matter.
What if I'm named a Finalist and for health, scheduling, or other reasons, I am unable to fulfill the requirements? While we hope that all of the finalists are able to complete the process, we understand that sometimes things happen out of our control. Finalists will undergo media representation, photography and videography, and immediate recognition on site in Orlando. Please understand that this comes at an expense to the organization and our partners. Please take serious consideration into your ability to commit to the timeline and the potential to be named Miss Earth USA and advance to Miss Earth in fall 2025. If a finalist withdraws from the competition for any reason, the MEUSA organization reserves the right to invite a semifinalist to take her position in the series filming.
How will the winner be selected?
The MEUSA organization will grant top 3 medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) for each challenge. These medals will award the finalist with a cash or other sponsored prize, such as a spokesmodel position signed to a brand ambassadorship. Please note that these awards do NOT necessarily assist in determining the overall winner however they may influence a judge's impression of a candidate. All finalists will conduct an official panel interview with the core judges during the series filming in May 2025. At the conclusion of the challenge schedule in May 2025, the core judging panel will convene to review the interviews, challenge results and complete body of work of the candidates, and at that time will independently score and narrow the candidates to potential top 5 ranking. Live at the coronation, candidates will model two or more components including swimwear and formalwear, will conduct on stage speaking such as Q&A, Impact Statement or Hot Topic round. The judges will rank finalists to determine a Top 5 and winner of Miss Earth USA 2025.
Will I appear in a new gown and wardrobe at the final coronation event?
Swimwear for the final coronation event will be provided. Runway attire and/or Formalwear partnership information will be provided as they are determined.
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WINNER INFORMATION
What will the winner of Miss Earth USA 2025 receive?
- Expense paid international travel to the hosting location of Miss Earth 2025, expected to take place between October-November in Southeast Asia, for up to 5 weeks, as well as accommodations for all required dates.
- Competition wardrobe for Miss Earth 2025, including designer gowns and swimwear, appearance and interview attire, shoes and more
- Beauty training and products for the duration of her reign
- Appearance wardrobe throughout her reign
- Modeling contract and portfolio shoot with MMG New York Photo shoots with acclaimed photographers including Carlos Velez, the Code Creatives, Eva Flis and more Domestic travel to and from New York City for New York Fashion Week and MMG meetings
- Extended coverage on the Queen Beauty Network during the Road to Miss Earth 2025
- Magazine coverage, articles, as well as additional live media appearances as Miss Earth USA 2025
- Facilitation of environmental project filming, collaboration with organizations, and other assistance by the B4ACUSA Foundation, including budget dedicated directly to the winner's cause of choice, so that she can make the greatest impact possible during her national reign
- Styling, coaching and social media management
What are the contractual obligations of the winner of Miss Earth USA 2025?
The winner should expect to remain in the national title 6-12 months, and if she wins Miss Earth, will sign a one year commitment to Carousel Productions, including a salary and additional international travel. Following completion of Miss Earth in fall 2025, if Miss Earth USA does not win the international position, she will have more flexibility in returning to school, full time work, getting married or other plans beginning in January 2026. She should plan to remain in the national title and not enter any other pageant until the Miss Earth USA successor is crowned in 2026.
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FUTURE FORMAT
Will this format continue into 2026 for future selection of Miss Earth USA?
This is yet to be decided.
If you are interested in the potential of joining Miss Earth USA in the future, please follow us on Instagram @missearthusa and JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST to receive the most up to date information now and in the future!
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