MISS MASSACHUSETTS USA, SUSIE CASTILLO, CROWNED MISS USA® 2003 DURING LIVE NBC TELECAST ON MARCH 24

San Antonio, Texas, March 24, 2003 –This evening, during one of the year’s most exciting live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Susie Castillo, Miss Massachusetts USA 2003, as MISS USA® 2003.

The 23-year-old delegate from Lawrence, Massachusetts was crowned at the conclusion of the 52nd Anniversary broadcast on the NBC Television Network from the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio, Texas. Susie is an actress and model who has won many awards at Endicott College and the first Hispanic delegate from Massachusetts.

Actress and model Daisy Fuentes and Billy Bush, Access Hollywood correspondent, hosted the live telecast. The telecast panel was comprised of Model, TV/radio host Brooke Burke; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Warren Sapp; actor Mekhi Phifer, supermodel Melania Knauss; Days of Our Lives actress Kristian Alfonso; the fifth consecutive Miss Texas to win the title of Miss USA, Gretchen Polhemus Jensen; makeup artist Vincent Longo and astronaut John Blaha.

Throughout the two-hour event, the delegates competed in three categories, including swimsuit, evening gown and interview. During these competitions the "Top Five" finalists were selected before the crowning. Shauntay Hinton, Miss USA 2002, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 200 million. In addition, BURN THE FLOOR, one of the hottest, sexiest and the most entertaining theatrical dance sensations on the world stage, performed during the telecast.
Final Results:
First Runner Up: Michelle Arnette, Miss Alabama USA 2003, will assume the duties of MISS USA 2003 if the titleholder is named MISS UNIVERSE 2003, or for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.
Second Runner Up: Nicole O’Brian, Miss Texas USA 2003
Rest of Top Five: Elisa Kathleen Schleef, Miss Michigan USA 2003
Beth Hood, Miss Tennessee USA 2003

Rest of Top Ten: Tashina Brooke Kastigar, Miss Indiana USA 2003
Anna Rebecca Hanks, Miss South Carolina USA 2003
Alina Ogle, Miss New Mexico USA 2003
Alicia Malia Michioka, Miss Hawaii USA 2003
Star Williams, Miss Oklahoma USA 2003

Clairol Miss Photogenic USA™ Award: Sarah Mae Cahill, Miss Minnesota USA 2003. The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera.

Miss Congeniality USA™ Award: Breann Pariott, Miss Washington USA 2003. The award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate’s peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant.

Sponsors of MISS USA ® 2003 include The School for Film and Television; Endless Sun Apparel, "Official Swimsuit;" Hoya Crystal, "Official Crystal Award;" Maurice Lacroix, "Official Watch;" Mikimoto "Official Jewelry" sponsor, and Steve Madden, "Official Fashion Footwear."

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE, MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (NBC) partnership. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Gilda’s Club and the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, Miss USA is armed to impact women today.