Meriwether is the first Miss USA from Maryland in 55 years; Leona Gage won the title in 1957 but was dethroned shortly after
Independent Online (IOL) – NANA Meriwether has made history – this week she became the first African American with South African roots to be crowned Miss USA.
This was after 20-year-old Boston University student Olivia Culpo was crowned Miss Universe out of 88 other beauty queens from six continents at the Planet Hollywood casino in Las Vegas.
This means that 27-year-old Meriwether, who was crowned as Culpo’s first princess at the Miss USA pageant in June, will now take over from Culpo.
Meriwether’s mother, Nomvimbi, was born in Soweto, and in 1979 she received a scholarship from the UN and went to do post-graduate studies in the US. When she was on the verge of returning home, she met an American doctor and they married. They returned to the country and began working at a missionary hospital near the Kruger National Park.
And while Meriwether is an all-American girl – tall, skinny, with a drawling accent – her family still has deeply entrenched roots in the country as her grandparents, Ephraim and Elsie Kumalo, still live in Diepkloof Extension, and she still visits them regularly.
Her mother could barely contain her excitement yesterday, saying: “We haven’t slept. We’ve been dancing and celebrating all night. She’s so excited, we’re all so excited.”
Meanwhile, Meriwether’s supporters took to Facebook to congratulate her.
On Thursday, she got a call from Miss Universe Organization’s President Paula Shugart. Meriwether tweeted that she accepted the job.
She will be officially crowned after the holidays.
The last time the runner-up became Miss USA was in 1997, when Brandi Sherwood from Idaho took over the title as Hawaii’s Brooke Lee was crowned Miss Universe.
the new miss usa would go the international contest?
It’s not first princess. Nana is FIRST RUNNER-UP.
The writer didn’t do his homework.
Dond´t be stupied if you say FIRST ROUNNER UP, our 1ST PRINCESS is the same!
Honestly it depends on the country. In Spain they use Damas de Honor (1st and 2nd Honor Dames) in Colombia we have Virreina (vice queen=1st runner up) and princesses (1st 2nd and 3rd) whose equivalents are 2nd runner up 3 rd runner up and 4 th runner up. So I see the point os Shelu’s comment
According to the article Miss Nana is the typical all American girl—tall,skinny and with a drawling accent. LOL
Miss universe and her court. Just like in the tournament of roses parade. A very diverse group. This is what America looks like today. best of luck to all three beautiful “AMERICAN” queens.
Why do people predict a short reign? With the ratings that MUO received they may keep in December who knows but it seems that the later the contest in the year the higher the viewership. It would be a smart business Trump move.
A short reign, but would be amazing to have “Miss USA” on her resume.
Short reign or not, it’s better than nothing. Good for her.
Well, I guess Nana got HER Christmas present!
a beautiful miss USA too!
I love here face… she let me remember Carole Gist Miss Usa 1990 and Miss Universe first runner-up
she look like the daughter of Carole!
I was thinking she looked more along the lines of Kenya Moore.
congratulations ms maryland here is hoping you have a successful reign as ms usa …you were my choice when i watched the pageant back in june
I loved Olivia but I loved Nana as well so I’m very happy for her. It might only be a short reign but I’m sure she’ll make it memorable.
What a short reign she is going to have…maybe five to six months…
Better then nothing!