Alma Cooper

Alma Oralia Minerva Cooper (born March 17, 2002) is an American beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss USA 2024. Cooper represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant where she did not place. Cooper was previously crowned Miss Michigan USA 2024 and is the fourth woman from Michigan to be crowned Miss USA.

Early life and education Alma Oralia Minerva Cooper was born March 17, 2002 Her father is African-American and a retired major in the United States Army, while her mother is a former pageant contestant and migrant worker from Mexico who came to the United States at age six. Cooper also has an elder sister who is cognitively impaired. Cooper studied mathematical science at the USMA, and graduated in 2023. As Miss Michigan USA, Cooper was qualified to represent the state at the Miss USA 2024 pageant.

Cooper entered and won Miss USA on August 4, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, against 50 other contestants. As Miss USA 2024, Cooper represented the United States of America at Miss Universe 2024, but was unplaced, thus ending its 13-year streak of placements. Her national costume was based on Uncle Sam.