Miss USA 1981

At the end of the event, Jineane Ford of Arizona crowned Kim Seelbrede of Ohio as Miss USA 1981.^[1] It is the second victory of Ohio in the pageant's history. Seelbrede later competed at Miss Universe and was named one of the twelve semi-finalists.

This year also marked the first year since 1957 that a runner-up of Miss USA was sent to Miss World. Holli Dennis, the first runner-up from Indiana, was supposed to compete at Miss World, but chose to marry instead. Due to this, Lisa Moss, the second runner-up from Louisiana, was appointed as the representative of the United States to Miss World. Moss later competed at Miss World and was named one of the seven finalists.

Contestants from forty-nine states and the District of Columbia competed in the pageant. The competition was hosted by Bob Barker.

Results

Placements

Pageant

Format

Same with

• Cindy Adams – American gossip columnist and writer^[2]
• Joey Adams – American comedian and author^[2]
• John Mack Carter – American women's magazine editor^[2]
• Dwight Clark – American professional football player^[2]
• Wesley Eure – American singer, actor, and producer^[2]
• Jim Fowler – American zoologist and host of television show Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom^[2]
• Mary Therese Friel – Miss USA 1979 from New York^[2]
• Gary Graffman – American pianist^[2]
• Patrice Munsel – American opera singer^[2]
• Freda Payne – American singer and actress^[2]
• Phil Roura – Editor at the New York Daily News^[2]

Contestants

Fifty contestants competed for the title.^[3][4]

Notes

References