Miss Kentucky USA


The Miss Kentucky USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Kentucky in the Miss USA pageant. It is now currently produced by Proctor Productions and it is formerly directed by Connie Clark Harrison. Harrison is former Miss Kentucky USA 1976 who was one of three representatives for Kentucky to win the Miss Congeniality award at the national level.
Three Miss Kentucky USA titleholders have also held the Miss Kentucky Teen USA title and competed at Miss Teen USA. Two Miss Kentucky USA titleholders have also competed at Miss America, with one representing Wyoming.
Lexie Iles of Louisville was crowned Miss Kentucky USA 2020 on February 1, 2020 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset. She will represent Kentucky for the title of Miss USA 2020.

Media coverage

In 2006, it was reported that Miss Kentucky USA 2002, Elizabeth Arnold was in a relationship with celebrity Nick Lachey. That same year Tara Conner became the first Miss Kentucky USA to win the Miss USA title, putting Kentucky in the top five for the second consecutive year, after Kristen Johnson placed 2nd runner-up in 2005. She later came under intense scrutiny when it was revealed that she had been drinking underage, tested positive for the use of cocaine, and kissed Miss Teen USA Katie Blair, among other things. Conner was allowed to keep her title, but was ordered into rehab for one month. After her rehab session she resumed her reign until her year was completed.
In 2008, Miss Kentucky USA Alysha Harris was involved in a scandal involving racy photos, in which she was photographed dancing in a sexually suggestive manner with NFL's New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss.

Results summary

Placements

Kentucky holds a record of 15 placements at Miss USA.

Awards

;Color key
YearNameHometownAge1Placement at Miss USASpecial awards at Miss USANotes
2020Lexie IlesLouisville23TBATBAPreviously Miss Ohio Teen United States 2016
2019Jordan WeiterLouisville22
2018Braea TilfordLouisville25
2017Madelynne MyersLouisville22
2016Kyle HornbackLouisville20
2015Katie GeorgeLouisville21Top 11Advanced to top 11 as fan vote winner
2014Destin KincerWhitesburg21
2013Allie LeggettMcCreary County19December 2017 Playboy Playmate of the Month
2012Amanda MertzLouisville25Monster Energy Girl
2011Kia HamptonLouisville21Miss CongenialityLater Pussycat Dolls member
2010Kindra ClarkMt. Washington19
2009Maria MontgomeryDanville194th runner-up
2008Alysha HarrisCarrollton20Later represented Kentucky at Miss United States International 2020
2007Michelle BanzerLouisville24First minority woman to win state pageant
2006Tara ConnerRussell Springs20Miss USA 2006
2005Kristen JohnsonSlaughters232nd runner-up
  • Previously Miss Kentucky Teen USA 2000
  • Contestant on Fear Factor in 2005 on the Miss USA episode #5.29
    • 2004Lauren StengelLouisville22
    2003Lori MitchellScottsville21Reporter for WRCB in Chattanooga
    2002Elizabeth ArnoldColumbia24
  • Previously Miss Kentucky Teen USA 1998
  • Appears on The Real Housewives of Orange County
    • 2001Jo PritchardHardin20
    2000Jolene YoungsterGlasgow18
    1999Lori MenshouseAshland25Previously Miss Kentucky 1997
    1998Nancy BradleyFranklin
    1997Rachyl HoskinsLiberty22
    1996Lorie WestCampbellsville22
    1995Mitzi JonesWhite PlainsSemi-finalist, finishing in 8th Place
    1994Kim BufordPaducah
    1993Karen GibsonKevil
    1992Angela HinesMaysvilleFinalist, finishing in 5th place
    1991Susan FarrisBenton24Runner-up state costume
    1990Tiffany TenfeldeLakeside ParkTop 6 finalist
    1989Veronica HensleyDanville
    1988Suzanne PitmanMurray
    1987Beth Ann ClarkMayfield21Guinness Beer Spokesmodel, Swimwear Illustrated Cover Model of the Year 1989, Mrs. Kentucky United States 1999, Mrs. Georgia America 2001
    1986Jackie TaylorPaducah
    1985Robin OverbyCalvert CityMiss Photogenic1st runner-up at Miss World USA 1979
    1984Tammy MelendezMurray
    1983Lee Ann AustinBenton
    1982Kristina Leah ChapmanOwensboro194th runner-up
    1981Denise GibbsPaducah
    1980Lisa DevillezOwensboro4th runner-up
    1979Linda PassmoreHopkinsville
    1978Linda WoodruffLouisville
    1977Sandy SmithPrinceton
    1976Connie ClarkBentonMiss CongenialityFormer director of the Miss Kentucky USA and Miss Kentucky Teen USA pageants under her married name, Connie Clark-Harrison
    1975Carol June WallaceSomersetSemi-finalistLater Miss Wyoming 1976, mother of Miss Kentucky 2002, Mary Catherine Correll
    1974Charlesy GulickWilliamstownBest State Costume
    1973Nancy CoplenMayfield
    1972Tamara BranstetterSummer Shade
    1971Patricia BarnstableLouisville4th runner-up
    1970Joanna SmithMorgantown
    1969Regina Pryor
    1968June PinkleyMiss Congeniality
    1967Debbie Dibble
    1966Jennifer Burcham
    1965Julie AndrusMayfield3rd runner-up
    1964Johanna Reid4th runner-up
    1963Mary Ann Arnold
    1962Sally Margaret CarterLowes
    1961Marcia ChumblerMayfieldSemi-finalist
    1960Barbara Joan Lovins
    1959Sherree Owens
    1958Shannon Beasley
    1955-57Did Not Compete
    1954Nikki Horner
    1953Mary SticeSemi-finalist
    1952Jean Tingle
    1 Age at the time of the Miss USA pageant