Army 2nd Lt. Alma Cooper, a West Point graduate and current master's student at Stanford, was crowned Miss USA 2024 amid a year of controversy for the pageant. Cooper, a proud Afro-Latina and daughter of a migrant worker, emphasized her journey to the Army and her belief in making success accessible through demanding excellence. She will represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant. Cooper's win marks a significant moment as she is the first active-duty military officer to hold the title. The resignations of former Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava, both citing toxic work environments and misalignment with the organization’s values, highlighted ongoing controversies within Miss USA. Allegations of bullying, harassment, and poor management were brought to light by the former titleholders and their families.