Miss USA 2004

Miss USA 2004
Date	April 12, 2004
Presenters	Billy Bush, Nancy O'Dell
Venue	Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, California
Broadcaster	NBC, KNBC-TV
Entrants	51
Placements	15
Winner	Shandi Finnessey Missouri
Congeniality	Michelle Fongemie Vermont
Photogenic	Jennifer Sherrill Arkansas

Miss USA 2004, the 53rd Miss USA pageant, was held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on April 12, 2004. The winner of the beauty pageant was Shandi Finnessey, who became the first winner from the state of Missouri. Finnessey was crowned by outgoing Miss USA Susie Castillo, of Massachusetts.

The pageant was hosted by Billy Bush and Nancy O'Dell, the first time this partnership had hosted the pageant. Bush had previously hosted Miss USA 2003 and Miss Universe 2003.

For the first time since 1970, fifteen semi-finalists competed in the final competition, although not all the semi-finalists competed in both the swimsuit and evening gown. Following the new format established at Miss Universe 2003 and Miss Teen USA 2003, the top fifteen semi-finalists were reduced to ten after the evening gown competition, and then to the final five after swimsuits. This was the first time that contestants did not have the opportunity to compete in both competitions.

The Miss USA 2004 delegates were:

For the second year, there was a Miss USA Fear Factor special, in which Tara Darby of Alabama won the $50,000 prize (half of which to be donated to the charity of her choice).

...
Wikipedia