You probably think you know how beauty pageants work. Tall heels, big hair, and a lot of scripted answers about world peace, right? Well, that’s not exactly what went down at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien, Washington, this past November. Honestly, the Miss World America 2024 competition felt a lot more like a high-stakes job interview than a traditional runway show.
There’s this weird misconception that these events are just about the glitter. But if you actually watched the 2024 cycle, you’d see a room full of women with master’s degrees and massive philanthropic portfolios. It’s kinda intense.
The Face of Miss World America 2024
On November 17, 2024, Athenna Crosby from California took the title. If that name sounds familiar, it's because she’s been around the block in the entertainment world—she's an actress and a TV presenter based in Los Angeles. But what really secured her the crown wasn't just her stage presence. It was her focus on disability advocacy.
Athenna is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Venezuela. That makes her the first Venezuelan-American to ever hold this specific title. It’s a big deal. She’s been pushing a project called "Inclusion for All: Fighting for Those With Disabilities" for over a decade. This isn't some platform she cooked up two weeks before the pageant; it's personal. Her brother Adrian has Autism, and she’s spent years lobbying for policy changes, including getting San Jose, CA, to officially recognize Autism Awareness Month.
The runner-up spots were just as competitive:
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- First Runner-Up: Kimberly Nwankolo (Miss World America Oregon)
- Second Runner-Up: Anne Li (Miss World America Washington D.C.)
Why This Pageant Is Different From Miss America
People mix these up all the time. It's confusing. Basically, Miss America (the one with the Air Force pilot Madison Marsh winning earlier in 2024) is a scholarship-based US-only thing. Miss World America 2024 is the official qualifying path to the global Miss World stage.
The 2024 national event was run by Ekta Saini and Sanjay Saini. Ekta is actually the first Indian-American woman to serve as National Director. They put together a prize package worth roughly $250,000 in cash and sponsorships, which is basically unheard of in the pageant world lately.
The "Beauty with a Purpose" element is the heart of the whole thing. It’s 60% of the score. If your charity work is weak, you aren't winning, no matter how good you look in an evening gown. Devon Viola from Massachusetts took home the Beauty With A Purpose Ambassador award this year because her service work was just that impactful.
What Actually Happened in Burien?
The atmosphere in Burien was... heavy with expectation. The Sainis hosted over 80 free mentorship Zoom calls leading up to the event. They weren't just looking for a "queen"; they were looking for a spokesperson.
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Athenna’s win means she heads to the 72nd Miss World Festival in 2025. She’s walking into a global network that has raised over $1.3 billion for charity since Julia Morley started the "Beauty with a Purpose" mission.
It’s easy to be cynical about pageantry. Sorta feels like a relic of the past sometimes, doesn't it? But then you see someone like Athenna using the microphone to talk about Best Buddies and legislative lobbying. She’s not just standing there. She’s working.
The Real Cost of Competing
Let’s talk money. Pageants are expensive. Between the gowns, the travel, and the coaching, most contestants end up in the red. However, the Miss World America 2024 organization tried to flip that script with their massive sponsorship package.
Winning this title is essentially a full-time job for the next year. You're traveling, you're speaking, and you're preparing for the international stage. It’s grueling. You've got to be a diplomat, a model, and a nonprofit CEO all at once.
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Actionable Insights for Future Candidates
If you're looking at what Athenna Crosby did and wondering how to replicate it, here is what actually matters in the current pageant landscape:
- Start Your Service Early: Don't wait until you sign up. Athenna had a ten-year track record. Judges see right through "pageant platforms" started six months ago.
- Master the Interview: The stage is only a small fraction of the points. If you can't speak with nuance about complex social issues, the crown is out of reach.
- Find Your Unique Angle: Being "nice" isn't a brand. Athenna leaned into her heritage and her specific family connection to disability advocacy. It made her memorable.
- Network with Purpose: Use the mentorship calls and the community provided by directors like Ekta Saini. The "Miss World family" isn't just a tagline; it's a professional network.
The era of the "blank slate" pageant queen is dead. Miss World America 2024 proved that if you want to win, you need to bring a resume that would make a corporate executive sweat.
Next Steps for You:
Check out the official Miss World America website to see the full list of state titleholders and their specific Beauty with a Purpose projects. If you're interested in disability advocacy, you can follow Athenna Crosby’s journey as she prepares for the international finals in 2025.