Olivia Jordan, was crowned Miss USA as the pageant was shunned by major television networks due to controversy involving its co-owner Donald Trump.
America’s NBC network and Spanish-language Univision pulled out of broadcasting the show following Mr Trump’s recent controversial comments about Mexican immigrants.
Ms Jordan, 26, a fitness instructor who competed as Miss Oklahoma, won after saying that she considered race relations the most important issue America needs to tackle.
She said: “We really need to work on being an accepting society, and being a society where every single person – no matter your race, no matter your gender – is given the same rights and privileges and opportunities.”
A host of celebrities, who had been lined up to perform and judge the contest, dropped out.
It was broadcast on satellite channel Reelz, which said Mr Trump would not benefit financially.
Mr Trump did not attend the pageant in Louisiana, saying he was busy campaigning in Arizona.
He sparked a political firestorm last month after saying Mexico was “sending people that have lots of problems…they’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists.”
Costa Rica has pulled out of the Miss Universe competition, which is also co-owned by Mr Trump, in protest.
Mr Trump’s comments have led to a surge of support for him in polls amid a chaotic Republican presidential field.
By Nick Allen
