Entertainment

Miss District Of Columbia Wins Miss USA 2016

by Michelle McGahan

She's beauty and she's grace, she's... Miss USA 2016! It's official: Miss District of Columbia USA was crowned Miss USA 2016 on Sunday night, beating out 51 other competitors — including the first and second runners-up Miss Hawaii USA and Miss Georgia USA — for the championship title. After excelling in the swimsuit competition, evening gown portion of the evening, and personality interview, Miss District of Columbia USA won the highly coveted title (and check out that blinged-out crown!) As the title-holder of Miss USA 2016, Miss DC (real name: Deshauna Barber) will go on to compete in Miss Universe 2016, but not before being "whisked away to New York City" for a whirlwind press tour, the official Miss USA site boasts.

The winner of the competition is "whisked away to New York City and [is] prepped for a media tour where they make multiple appearances at media outlets, networks, charitable organizations, sponsor events, etc.," the site claims. "The titleholders [of Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss Universe] spend their reign representing their platforms, raising awareness and funds for charitable alliances, and traveling."

Barber, who is a Company Commander in the U.S. Army Reserver, was overcome with emotion when she was crowned the winner, bursting into tears when she was announced Miss USA 2016 (watch her reaction below).

Congratulations to Miss District of Columbia USA on her exciting win!