In Sin City, 51 of the USA's most beautiful women (ncluding the District of Columbia) vie for the title of Miss USA 2008 at the 57th annual pageant by competing in swimsuits, evening gowns, and the final question. Crystle Stewart of Texas was crowned the winner by outgoing titleholder Rachel Smith of Tennessee at the conclusion of the final night of competition. The pageant was held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts, a 7,000-seat theater located in the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, broadcast for the first time in high definition. This venue also hosted the Miss Universe 1991 and 1996 pageants. Co-hosts were Donny and Marie Osmond. This was the first time that the Miss USA pageant was held in Nevada. the fifteen delegates with the highest average scores from the preliminary competition were announced. During the final competition, the top fifteen competed in the swimsuit competition. The top ten delegates from swimsuit then competed in evening gowns. Finally, the top five delegates from the evening gown competition (not averaged composite scores from both competitions) competed in the final question round and final look to determine the winner. The judges' composite score was shown after each round of competition for only the second time since 2002. Finger Eleven performed their single "Paralyzer" and Rihanna's "Umbrella" were performed during the competition. Texas won their ninth Miss USA at this year's edition. Stewart would later become the national director of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.
