Miss USA pageant: Good, bad… and beautiful

Miss Hawaii punted at the Miss USA contest when asked who she would vote for among the likely presidential candidates, Democrat Hillary Clinton or former pageant owner Donald Trump, a Republican.

Chelsea Hardin said gender doesn't matter when deciding the next commander in chief, but she said the new president should push for what's right for the country.

Miss Georgia, Emanii Jovan Davis, rounded out the top three finalists with her answer about educating youth when asked about recent policy measures that some say makes it harder to vote.

Miss California Nadia Grace Mejia, the fan favorite, stumbled when she answered an economic inequality question.

6 p.m.

And now it's down to 10.

The finalists for the Miss USA contest in Las Vegas include contestants from Virginia, Alabama, California, Georgia, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Missouri, Arkansas, South Dakota and Hawaii.

They include college students, an Army officer and a registered nurse.

The women will continue on in Sunday's beauty pageant, with the winner set to compete in the Miss Universe contest.

Former pageant owner Donald Trump, who didn't appear at Sunday's Miss USA show, hasn't been forgotten by viewers on social media.

On Twitter, some commented that the event was less campy and more boring than previous years without the brash billionaire's involvement.

Others said they were glad to take in the guilty-pleasure show without supporting the brash businessman and presumptive Republican nominee for president.

5 p.m.

The top 15 finalists have been named at the Miss USA contest in Las Vegas.

Contestants from South Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, Arizona, Alabama, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, California, Missouri, Connecticut, Hawaii, South Dakota, Arkansas, Virginia and Oklahoma will continue on in the beauty pageant.

Miss California, Nadia Grace Mejia, was also named the fan favorite.

During the show, the 20-year-old from Diamond Bar talked about suffering from anorexia and wanting to promote body confidence.

The winner of Sunday's pageant will compete in the Miss Universe contest.

4 p.m.

The show has begun at the Miss USA contest in Las Vegas.

The three-hour beauty pageant will feature hosts Julianne Hough, Ashley Graham and Terrence J. The Backstreet Boys, Chris Young and Nervo will perform.

Steve Harvey made a cameo in a video at the start of the show, poking fun of the Miss Universe crowning that he botched in December.

But don't expect former pageant owner and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to appear.

He sold the organization in September following a falling out with broadcasting partners who cut ties with him after he made remarks that offended Mexicans.

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