The first Miss All American Pageant arrives in Charleston
A faint crescent moon hovered above the USS Yorktown as an abundance of beauty queens gathered aboard the 82-year-old ship known as “The Fighting Lady” for the welcoming event of the inaugural Miss All American Pageant.
Handheld fans fluttered during the 86-degree summer evening on July 30 as 117 contestants sporting sashes filled the belly of the 888-foot boat, which was outfitted with huge box fans to circulate the blanket of humid air.
Everyone headed up to the flight deck, which was mercifully breezy, for the very first photoshoot the contestants would take together to kick off the very first Miss All American pageant week.
Sun sets in the distance past a jet fighter on the deck of the Yorktown and the Ravenel Bridge, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Swirled clouds and soft dusk encased the scene as the women walked between giant planes, photos snapping. Then it was time to head back down below for the evening’s address and a chance for each sashed contestant to walk the red carpet.
Soon they will each take the stage at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center to compete in the inaugural Miss All American Pageant taking place Aug. 1 and 2.
At the core of Miss All American, a newly expanded national competition, is the revival of the Miss Teen All American Pageant first launched in 1979. For over 20 years, it welcomed state delegates to vie for a national title, including Halle Berry, who won in 1985 before rising to stardom in film and television.
Miss Teen Bluegrass Brook Blackburn takes her place in line for an opening night walk down the red carpet following remarks, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Mount Pleasant.
Now under the direction of Aiken-based showrunner RPM Productions, Inc., the Miss Teen All American brand has evolved into the new Miss All American Pageant, featuring three divisions: Miss, Teen, and Junior. The reimagined program builds on the legacy of its original namesake while welcoming a broader range of contestants nationwide.
The world of pageantry has evolved a lot since RPM got started in the business, said the company’s president Paula Miles, who’s been at the helm since its founding in 1979.
“Pageants today, especially Miss All American, are less about outdated stereotypes and more about the opportunities we can provide through our network of friends, colleagues and community,” she said. “One of our goals is for this to lead to personal growth.”
