| Winner: | Lu Parker South Carolina |
| Date: | February 11, 1994 |
| Venue: | South Padre Island, Texas |
| Acts: | Doug Stone |
| Broadcaster: | CBS, KGBT-TV |
| Congeniality: | Denise White Oregon |
| Photogenic: | Patricia Southall Virginia |
| Before: | 1993 |
| Next: | 1995 |
Miss USA 1994 was the 43rd Miss USA pageant, televised live from the South Padre Island Convention Centre on South Padre Island, Texas on February 11, 1994. At the conclusion of the final competition, Lu Parker of South Carolina was crowned by outgoing titleholder Kenya Moore of Michigan.[1]
The pageant was hosted by Bob Goen for the first of three years replacing Dick Clark, with color commentary by Arthel Neville and a special guest appearance by Laura Harring, Miss USA 1985. Entertainment was provided by Doug Stone. During the live broadcast, the organizers of that year's Miss Universe pageant held in Manila, Philippines were introduced during the show along with that country's representative to said international competition, Charlene Bonin Gonzales, Miss Philippines 1994.
| Final results | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss USA 1994 | |
| 1st Runner-Up | |
| 2nd Runner-Up |
|
| Top 6 |
|
| Top 12 |
|
This was the first of three consecutive years that the pageant was held on South Padre Island. The announcement that the pageant would be held there was made on August 11, 1993.[2]
Contestants arrived on January 27 for two weeks of events and preliminary competitions before the final telecast. This included a dinner event in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, put on by the mayor and city officials, which became an issue when rebel activity on the United States-Mexican border led to fears for the contestants' safety. The city had contributed more than $100,000 to South Padre's bid to host the pageant, fundraising that was mirrored by other cities in the Rio Grande Valley.[3]
The Miss USA 1994 delegates were: