Miss USA vs. Miss America: What’s The Difference?

On Sunday night 51 women from across the nation will vie to win the title of Miss USA. Some, however, confused the annual beauty pageant with Miss America. The reigning queen, Erin Brady of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, will relinquish her crown Sunday after the winner is chosen at Baton Rouge (Louisiana) Civic Center but Miss America Nina Davuluri will continue reign supreme: so what’s the difference between the two contests?

Here are some of the quick similarities: titles are given out; women get to don a tiara and also win a scholarship.

Miss USA is a facet of Miss Universe, an organization that is owned by the one and only Donald Trump. Miss USA contestants are only to compete for the title once. Miss USA began in 1952, and the woman who wins is qualified to continue on to the Miss Universe pageant. Miss Rhode Island, Olivia Culpo, went on to win Miss Universe in 2012.

Miss America is mostly known for its scholarships and with good reason. The competition was founded as a scholarship program, unlike Miss USA, which was founded as by Catalina Swimsuits as part of a promotional tool. Though scholarships are won in Miss USA, the main prize is being able to compete for Miss Universe. Women can compete in both Miss America and Miss Universe since they are different organizations.

Miss USA 2013 told the Associated Press she worked to break stereotypes about beauty paegents and the women who compete in them. "We're very intelligent women with great personalities," she said.

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