2 hours ago
Amber Uhler spent years transforming her own life after a health wake-up call. Now, she is stepping onto the Miss USA stage to show that a crown can represent much more than a competition.
For years, pageants have often been reduced to a familiar image: the evening gown, the crown, the final question, and the winner's wave. But contestants like Amber Uhler show that the most meaningful parts of a pageant journey often happen long before the stage lights come on.
At 41, the Miss Michigan USA 2026 ***** leholder is the oldest contestant competing in this year's Miss USA field. She also brings a personal transformation story, telling PEOPLE that she once weighed nearly 300 pounds and later lost 170 pounds through diet and exercise.
But Uhler's journey is not defined by a number on a scale alone. Her path to the competition has included previous pageant victories, a major life change, and advocacy work focused on swim safety and childhood drowning prevention.
She is not simply competing for a ***** le. She brings years of experience, personal growth, and a story that reflects how pageants keep evolving.
#uhler #life #Competition
For years, pageants have often been reduced to a familiar image: the evening gown, the crown, the final question, and the winner's wave. But contestants like Amber Uhler show that the most meaningful parts of a pageant journey often happen long before the stage lights come on.
At 41, the Miss Michigan USA 2026 ***** leholder is the oldest contestant competing in this year's Miss USA field. She also brings a personal transformation story, telling PEOPLE that she once weighed nearly 300 pounds and later lost 170 pounds through diet and exercise.
But Uhler's journey is not defined by a number on a scale alone. Her path to the competition has included previous pageant victories, a major life change, and advocacy work focused on swim safety and childhood drowning prevention.
She is not simply competing for a ***** le. She brings years of experience, personal growth, and a story that reflects how pageants keep evolving.
#uhler #life #Competition
19 hours ago
Miss Michigan USA Amber Uhler began her pageant journey nearly five years ago, when she set her goal to compete in a beauty pageant
Uhler, at the time, had reservations about the goal, as she weighed nearly 300 lbs. at the time
However, speaking with PEOPLE, she opens up about the moment she realized she wanted to prioritize her health and how her pageant dreams helped her achieve that goal
Five years ago, Amber Uhler set what, back then, seemed like an "impossible" goal.
At the time, Uhler, a mom to three, weighed 300 lbs. She tells PEOPLE of attending a doctor's appointment, where she was told, "You're morbidly obese, you're pre-diabetic, you're on a path to an early grave, and you're probably not going to live to see your kids graduate high school."
For Uhler, that appointment set in motion what she calls the "wakeup call" she "needed."
That same weekend, Uhler opens up about the moment she jumped into a foam pit at a trampoline park while playing with her children. "I got stuck, and ****** ody could get me out," she says. "Three big, beefy muscle men formed a human chain to try to pull me out, and even they couldn't do it, and they thought they were going to have to call the fire department. I've never been so humiliated in my life."
Amber Uhler.
Credit: Amber Uhler/Instagram
#uhler #you 're #time
Uhler, at the time, had reservations about the goal, as she weighed nearly 300 lbs. at the time
However, speaking with PEOPLE, she opens up about the moment she realized she wanted to prioritize her health and how her pageant dreams helped her achieve that goal
Five years ago, Amber Uhler set what, back then, seemed like an "impossible" goal.
At the time, Uhler, a mom to three, weighed 300 lbs. She tells PEOPLE of attending a doctor's appointment, where she was told, "You're morbidly obese, you're pre-diabetic, you're on a path to an early grave, and you're probably not going to live to see your kids graduate high school."
For Uhler, that appointment set in motion what she calls the "wakeup call" she "needed."
That same weekend, Uhler opens up about the moment she jumped into a foam pit at a trampoline park while playing with her children. "I got stuck, and ****** ody could get me out," she says. "Three big, beefy muscle men formed a human chain to try to pull me out, and even they couldn't do it, and they thought they were going to have to call the fire department. I've never been so humiliated in my life."
Amber Uhler.
Credit: Amber Uhler/Instagram
#uhler #you 're #time
6 days ago
In addition to practicing walks, preparing for interviews and selecting wardrobes, many pageant contestants have pre-show rituals they've kept up over the years
For some, these traditions are grounded in superstitions; others set aside time and activities that help them stay mindful and present before showtime
PEOPLE polled a number of this year's Miss USA contestants from across the country to find out what types of pageant-day practices they observe
Those who compete in anything at a high level — sporting events, debates, pageants and beyond — know that sometimes it takes a little bit of the supernatural to get you through a particularly intense competition.
51 women will make their way to Miami next week to compete in the annual Miss USA pageant, with the finale set to take place at 8 p.m. ET on Aug. 27. This year is particularly big for the pageant as it marks its 75th anniversary celebration.
As they gear up for the big competition, delegates from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are taking PEOPLE through the biggest rituals and superstitions that they'll be partaking in to hopefully eke out a little bit more good luck before the big pageant.
Some women have turned mindfulness practices into traditions on the big day. Others have made habits out of eating specific foods. Whatever their choice of ritual, the pageant queens who will find themselves on stage in the Sunshine State next week want all the luck they can get.
Read on to learn about some of the pre-pageant superstitions, rituals and traditions maintained by Miss USA contestants from across the country.
Miss Michigan USA Amber Uhler.
Credit: Amber Uhler/Instagram
#pageant #superstitions
For some, these traditions are grounded in superstitions; others set aside time and activities that help them stay mindful and present before showtime
PEOPLE polled a number of this year's Miss USA contestants from across the country to find out what types of pageant-day practices they observe
Those who compete in anything at a high level — sporting events, debates, pageants and beyond — know that sometimes it takes a little bit of the supernatural to get you through a particularly intense competition.
51 women will make their way to Miami next week to compete in the annual Miss USA pageant, with the finale set to take place at 8 p.m. ET on Aug. 27. This year is particularly big for the pageant as it marks its 75th anniversary celebration.
As they gear up for the big competition, delegates from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are taking PEOPLE through the biggest rituals and superstitions that they'll be partaking in to hopefully eke out a little bit more good luck before the big pageant.
Some women have turned mindfulness practices into traditions on the big day. Others have made habits out of eating specific foods. Whatever their choice of ritual, the pageant queens who will find themselves on stage in the Sunshine State next week want all the luck they can get.
Read on to learn about some of the pre-pageant superstitions, rituals and traditions maintained by Miss USA contestants from across the country.
Miss Michigan USA Amber Uhler.
Credit: Amber Uhler/Instagram
#pageant #superstitions
