Aileen Cerchiara, a nurse and model with Colombian roots, was crowned Miss Florida USA 2026 during a gala at the Linda W. Chapin Theater in Orlando. Representing Miss Gulf Coast USA, Cerchiara will now compete in the 75th anniversary edition of Miss USA on August 27 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami.
Aileen Cerchiara Wins Miss Florida USA 2026
The official Miss Florida USA Instagram profile announced that Aileen Cerchiara secured the title this past Sunday. This victory marks a return for Cerchiara, who previously competed in the state finals and served as a runner-up in a prior edition of the pageant.
Cerchiara’s win is being highlighted by the Colombian community in Florida as a significant moment for Latina representation within U.S. beauty pageants. As the new state representative, she moves forward to the national competition.
Miss USA 2026 National Competition Details
The Miss USA 2026 pageant will celebrate its 75th anniversary on August 27. The event is scheduled to take place at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami. Viewers can watch the competition via a live broadcast on The CW from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET, with streaming availability the following day on The Roku Channel.
Thom Brodeur, who took over as executive director of the competition in September 2025, has committed the organization to hosting both Miss USA and Miss Teen USA at the Adrienne Arsht Center for at least five consecutive years.
Lisbeth Fernández Eliminated from Competition
Cuban-American contestant Lisbeth Fernández, competing as Miss Pinecrest USA, did not advance to the final six of the Florida pageant. The 28-year-old, born in Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río, entered the competition with significant visibility following her role as the first runner-up in Miss Universe Cuba 2025.
According to reports from the Miami Herald, Fernández holds a degree in Theology from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently studying Government Intelligence at Liberty University. She also works as an international speaker across Latin America.
Fernández gained media attention as the first openly Christian—specifically Baptist—candidate to participate in Miss Universe Cuba. She previously drew attention for a speech regarding 11J, stating that the Cuban people are “ready to stop surviving and start living.”
Comparison of Finalist Profiles
| Candidate | Title/Role | Background | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aileen Cerchiara | Miss Gulf Coast USA | Nurse, Model, Colombian roots | Winner (Miss Florida USA 2026) |
| Lisbeth Fernández | Miss Pinecrest USA | Theology Graduate, Cuban-American | Did not reach Top 6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Miss USA 2026?
The national pageant is scheduled for August 27 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami.
Where can I watch Miss USA 2026?
The event will air on The CW from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET and will be available for streaming on The Roku Channel the next day.
Who is the current executive director of Miss USA?
Thom Brodeur has served as the executive director since September 2025.
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