The Miss USA pageant is stepping into a fresh era under newly appointed CEO and President Thom Brodeur. According to an official press release, Brodeur is bringing his decades of experience as a pageant coach and judge to the role with a vision to strengthen the organization and uplift contestants.
Both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA are set to return in Reno, Nevada, this October, with the teen competition scheduled for Oct. 23 and the Miss USA finals the following day. Brodeur says he views this season as a chance to “reposition” the storied brand and restore its reputation.
A Fresh Start for Miss USA
“I’m really excited about the opportunity my team and I have to restore the legacy and iconography that Miss USA and Miss Teen USA were once known for,” Brodeur told People.
His appointment comes as the organization looks ahead to a new chapter. The Miss Universe Organization officially named Brodeur CEO on Sept. 15, entrusting him to guide both pageants forward.
Brodeur says he plans to strengthen the organization by updating contracts and creating a more open environment for contestants. “There was some pretty egregious NDA language that suppressed the voices of those two young women and did not give them the ability to speak about their journey. I want to remove that restriction,” he explained.
“I think if you have nothing to hide, there’s no reason to hide. An NDA should never silence a voice that has something to share, because we can learn from the things that people tell us that we need to improve on.”
Miss USA Pageant’s New Judging Rules
In addition to contract changes, Brodeur announced he will eliminate the selection committee process that once allowed leadership and management teams to influence pageant results.
“Of course, there’s always a panel of judges, but there was also this other voice on the outside that could have input, I’m abolishing that.” Brodeur told People.
Beyond reforms, Brodeur says he wants to elevate all participants, not just the winners. He envisions greater visibility for contestants through appearances at red carpets, sporting events and other high-profile cultural moments.
“These young women are athletes. The women that choose this league, this sport to compete in, spend a lot of money to do it, they take a lot of time,” he said, estimating that contestants often invest up to $130,000 over seven or eight years to prepare.
“The truth of the matter is a whole woman should be celebrated in all the things that make her remarkable,” Brodeur added. “I think, generally speaking, women who come through this program are already icons. It’s built into their DNA, and what I really want to do is elevate that.”
With Brodeur at the helm, the Miss USA organization hopes to restore trust, modernize its image and celebrate contestants as more than just pageant queens.
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