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Miss Oklahoma Olivia Jordan Is the Winner of the Miss USA Pageant 2015

1 minute read

Olivia Jordan, Miss Oklahoma, took home the crown at this year’s Miss USA pageant, in a contest that was mired in controversy after it’s co-owner Donald Trump made a series of highly controversial comments about Mexicans.

The pageant was held in Baton Rouge, La. for the second year in a row. Trump himself chose not to come, saying he had to attend to his presidential campaign.

Last month, Trump referred to many Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug dealers in his presidential campaign announcement, according to the Associated Press. The comments infuriated the Hispanic community and many of Trump’s business partners, causing both Univision and NBC to back out of airing the pageant. Many of the original hosts and judges also dropped out.

Reelz, a digital cable network, stepped in to broadcast the ceremony instead, saying, according to AP, that it was “an integral part of American tradition.” To fill the hosting gaps, the show brought back old Miss USA and Miss Universe contestants as judges.

See Photos From the First Miss Universe Pageants

1953, Miss Universe
Miss Universe contestants, 1953.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1953, Miss Universe
Miss Universe contestants, 1953.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1953, Miss Universe
Miss Italy inspects her bathing suit, 1953.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1953, Miss Universe
Miss Sweden and Miss Switzerland exchange friendly smiles at the 1953 Miss Universe pageant.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1953, Miss Universe
Miss USA flashes a smile, 1953.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1953, Miss Universe
Contestants model evening gowns, 1953.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1953, Miss Universe
Miss France, winner of the 1953 Miss Universe pageant.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1954, Miss Universe
Miss Universe parade, 1954.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1954, Miss Universe
Contestants are applauded by sailors, 1954.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1954, Miss Universe
Miss Israel waves from a float, 1954.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1954, Miss Universe
Miss Argentina, 1954.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1954, Miss Universe
Miss Cuba on a parade float, 1954.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1954, Miss Universe
Miss Universe contestants, 1954.George Silk—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1957, Miss Universe
Miss Peru, Gladys Zender, winner of the 1957 Miss Universe Contest.Leonard McCombe—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1957, Miss Universe
Miss Universe contestants in evening dresses, 1957.Leonard McCombe—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1957, Miss Universe
Audience members with binoculars during the 1957 Miss Universe contest.Leonard McCombe—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1957, Miss Universe
Miss Universe contestants in bathing suits, 1957.Leonard McCombe—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1957, Miss Universe
Winner Gladys Zender being crowned by former Miss Universe Carol Morris, 1957.Leonard McCombe—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
1957, Miss Universe
Miss Peru, Gladys Zender, winner of the 1957 Miss Universe Contest.Leonard McCombe—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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