At the end of the pageant, Mary Leona Gage of Maryland was declared the winner and was crowned by the outgoing titleholder, Miss Universe 1956Carol Morris, of Iowa. The following day, rumors about Gage's past and current circumstances began to circulate, and an investigation was launched by pageant organisers. It was discovered that Gage was 18, while her mother and her mother-in-law confirmed she had been married twice and was the mother of two young children. As all of these were violations of multiple contest eligibility rules, Gage was immediately disqualified, and the title and the associated prize package automatically passed to the 1st runner-up, Charlotte Sheffield of Utah. The other three finalists were moved one place, and the highest-scoring semi-finalist, Kathryn Gabriel of Ohio, became the 4th runner-up. Unfortunately, by the time the scandal broke publicly, the Miss Universe preliminary judging had already taken place, with Gage chosen as a semi-finalist, and allowed to participate pending the results of the investigation. It was too late for Sheffield to compete, and it would be the only time the United States has not been represented at the Miss Universe pageant. Later that year, Sheffield was sent to London as the USA contestant for Miss World 1957, but she failed to place.
Results
Historical significance
Maryland wins competition for the first time. Also becoming in the 6th state who does it for the first time. Later stripped from the title after it was discovered winner was married and had two children.
Utah wins competition for the first time. Besides it became the 7th state who does it for the first time. She finished as 1st runner-up, but succeeded as Miss USA 1957 after the winner was disqualified.
West Virginia earns the 1st runner-up position for the first time. She finished as 2nd runner-up, but succeeded to 1st runner-up when the 1st runner-up became Miss USA.
Nevada earns the 2nd runner-up position for the first time. She finished as 3rd runner-up, but succeeded to 2nd runner-up when the 2nd runner-up took the 1st runner-up position.
Nebraska earns the 3rd runner-up position for the first time. She finished as 4th runner-up, but succeeded to 3rd runner-up when the 3rd runner-up took the 2nd runner-up position.
Ohio earns the 4th runner-up position for the first time. She finished in the 6th place and obtained the highest-scoring of the semifinalists. Later due to the other finalists were moved one place up she became the 4th runner-up.
States that placed in semifinals the previous year were Arkansas, Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Washington.
Nebraska, South Carolina and Texas placed for the fifth consecutive year.
Arkansas placed for the fourth consecutive year.
Washington placed for the third consecutive year.
Iowa, Maryland, Ohio and Utah made their second consecutive placement.
