Miss Mississippi takes home a win in preliminary competition

Miss Mississippi Vivian O’Neal took home a win in the first preliminary competition at Miss America. O’Neal was one of five winners in the fitness competition.

Previously, O’Neal won last year’s Miss Mississippi Pageant and competed to become Miss America in 2023.

She is a Hattiesburg native and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2020. “I competed five years at my state and never won a preliminary, so to say I’m in shock is an understatement but I’m so incredibly grateful. I’ve been a dancer since the age of 3 so a lot of my fitness has to do with dancing. It is centered around dancing. I think it’s so important to find something you love to do and make it sustainable when it comes to fitness.”

The talent competition is taking place Thursday night. Finals will be held Sunday night. 51 women are competing in Orlando for the crown of Miss America.