The 35 wildest state costumes from the 2026 Miss USA pageant

Miss USA 2026 kicked off with the state costume contest.

Reza Venegas The 2026 Miss USA pageant is in full swing, kicking off with the costume contest on Monday.

Contestants wore colorful, decorative outfits representing their states.

Miss Nevada's costume looked like the Vegas strip, and Miss Idaho carried a massive fish.

Miss USA is upon us at last.

It's been another year of drama leading up to the pageant, with The CW pulling out of airing the finals a week before showtime.

Not to fear, though, you can stream it online at the Queen Beauty Network.

Despite the hiccup, the 2026 Miss USA pageant kicked off on Monday with the state costume competition.

The contestants took the stage in dramatic costumes that represented their states, wearing feathers, sheer bodysuits, and daring backpieces.

Take a look at the wildest costumes of the night.

Miss Alabama was in full bloom as she paid tribute to the camelia, her state's official flower.

Miss Alabama Samantha Havenstrite in the 2026 Miss USA costume contest.

Reza Venegas Samantha Havenstrite walked down the Miss USA stage in a strapless white gown that featured sculpted camelia petals attached to the waist, as well as a matching camelia headdress.

The pageant queen said she wanted to honor the resilience of the "rose of winter," as the camelia can still bloom during the coldest of months.