Alma Cooper made history earlier this year when she won the Miss USA crown. When she took the role, she was the first Afro-Latina ever to bear the title of Miss USA. On Saturday, she competed in the 2024 Miss Universe pageant, and for the costume competition, she became an embodiment of American iconography.
Miss United States Alma Cooper participates in the The 73rd Miss Universe Competition – Preliminary Competition at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on November 14, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico.
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For her costume, Cooper recreated the image of Uncle Sam. She wore a crystallized top hat featuring stars, a white waistcoat and a red bowtie. Over it, she wore a blue jacket with a long train. The outfit is a recreation of Uncle Sam imagery, which has been used for more than a century. It is best known for is association with military recruitment. “I Want You for U.S. Army” posters often read with the sketch of Uncle Sam.
In addition to it being a general reference to America, as Uncle Sam is often used to symbolize the federal government, for Cooper it has additional significance: she is an army officer and graduated West Point in 2023. Within the American military she is an army intelligence officer. The competition was also held days after Veterans Day, Nov. 11. This made her the first active duty service member to win Miss USA.
Miss United States participates in the The 73rd Miss Universe Competition – Preliminary Competition at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on November 14, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico.
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The back of her costume competition look also sports fireworks and mock explosions. Uncle Sam imagery is also often used in relation to Independence Day. In Instagram posts the look was called a tribute to the land of opportunity.
Miss United States Alma Cooper participates in the The 73rd Miss Universe Competition – Preliminary Competition at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on November 14, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico.
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For the swimwear competition, Cooper wore a purple two-piece suit, and like the other contestants, a gold sarong. The bikini bottom is cut high on the hip. In addition, she wore a pair of platform sandals.
For her opening look, Cooper wore a bralette and trouser set. The look was white with silver embellishments. In addition to baroque silver detailing on the trousers, the bralette featured heavy adornment including crystals, sequins and more. She also wore an elaborate necklace of the same aesthetic.
Miss United States of America, Alma Cooper (center), speaks during The 73rd Miss Universe Competition – show at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on November 16, 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico.
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Cooper did not make the competition’s top 12. That cohort included Russia, Chile, Thailand, Denmark, Canada, Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, Venezuela, Nigeria, Puerto Rico and Argentina. This year also saw the introduction of Miss Universe UAE as well as Miss Universe Bahrain.
The 2024 Miss Universe pageant was held in Mexico City on Saturday night. Denmark’s Victoria Kjaer Theilvig was crowned with a South Sea pearl tiara by Jewelmer, while the first and second runners-up were Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina and Maria Fernanda Beltran of Mexico, respectively. Hosted by Mario Lopez and former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, the pageant featured a performance from Robin Thicke. Sponsors for the 2024 competition included Bulova and Pandora. Chicago-based designer Joshuan Aponte served as the director of wardrobe.
