Kentucky’s Danielle Mullins was proclaimed Miss Earth USA 2023 at the culmination of the national pageant held on Saturday, January 7 at the Linda Chapin Theater of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
The 25-year-old professional stylist and makeup artist based in Louisville received her crown and sash from her predecessor Brielle Simmons of Connecticut.
Maryland’s Shawna Melvin was named Miss Earth USA Air while the representatives of Florida, Natalia Aldarondo, Nebraska, Angel Strong, and Tennessee, Gracie Pfaff were announced Miss Earth USA Water, Fire, and Eco, respectively.
Rounding out the Top 12 were Arkansas, District of Columbia, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Washington while the rest of the Top 20 were California, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio and Virginia.
The new Miss Earth USA is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in public relations. She will now prepare to represent the USA at the Miss Earth 2023 pageant which is expected to be held in Vietnam later this year.
Danielle believes that beauty for a cause is more than just a pretty face but a face for positive change. As Miss Earth USA, she wants to be an example for others and inspire them to do the same.
“I love to inspire women to love their self(ie) and use stories from my own personal struggles and overcoming to empower people. One of my goals in life is to help change the way women see themselves,” she said.
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