AFRICAN AMERICAN BEAUTY CROWNED MISS USA

Deshauna Barber, a 26-year-old Army officer and IT analyst for the U.S. Department of Commerce, was crowned Miss USA 2016. Biting Miss Georgia Emanii Davis in second place and Miss Hawaii Chelsea Hardin in third position.

Barber is the first-ever military member to win Miss USA and she plans to use the pageant’s spotlight and her title to support veteran’s causes and tackle the issue of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder among military members.

When asked what message she had for the presidential candidates and former pageant owner Donald Trump, she said they should focus more on veteran’s issues, including the backlog at veterans hospitals.

The 2016 Miss USA competition was held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.