| Winner: | Shandi Finnessey Missouri |
| Date: | April 12, 2004 |
| Venue: | Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, California |
| Congeniality: | Michelle Fongemie Vermont |
| Photogenic: | Jennifer Sherrill Arkansas |
| Entrants: | 51 |
| Placements: | 15 |
| Before: | 2003 |
| Next: | 2005 |
Miss USA 2004 was the 53rd Miss USA pageant, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on April 12, 2004. The winner of the beauty pageant was Shandi Finnessey, who became the first winner from the state of Missouri. The judges were racing driver Jeff Gordon, businessman Jerry Buss, basketball player John Salley, actor Mekhi Phifer, chef Rocco DiSpirito, and fashion designer Jill Stuart. Finnessey was crowned by outgoing Miss USA Susie Castillo, of Massachusetts.
Pageant co-owner Donald Trump opened the pageant by telling Castillo "You're fired", his catchphrase from his television program, The Apprentice. The pageant was hosted by Billy Bush and Nancy O'Dell.[1] This was the first time this partnership had hosted the pageant. Bush had previously hosted Miss USA 2003 and Miss Universe 2003.
For the first time since 1970, fifteen semi-finalists competed in the final competition, although not all the semi-finalists competed in both the swimsuit and evening gown. Following the new format established at Miss Universe 2003 and Miss Teen USA 2003, the top fifteen semi-finalists were reduced to ten after the evening gown competition, and then to the final five after swimsuits. This was the first time that contestants did not have the opportunity to compete in both competitions. This was also for the first time since 1979 that the pageant took place in the month of April.
| Final Results | Contestant | |
|---|---|---|
| Miss USA 2004 | ||
| 1st Runner-up |
| |
| 2nd Runner-up |
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| 3rd Runner-up |
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| 4th Runner-up |
| |
| Top 10 | ||
| Top 15 |
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| Award | Contestant | |
|---|---|---|
| Miss Congeniality |
| |
| Miss Photogenic |
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For the second year, there was a Miss USA Fear Factor special, in which Tara Darby of Alabama won the $50,000 prize (half of which to be donated to the charity of her choice).