Miss USA 2026 is back on Aug. 27 in Miami and, as they prepare to take the stage, contestants are recalling their "most memorable" wardrobe malfunctions
Some women list experiences with ripped dresses, mismatched earrings and makeup stains among the wardrobe malfunctions they've had
Many tell PEOPLE that avoiding a wardrobe malfunction isn't entirely possible, but they emphasize the value of preparation, backup outfits and quick thinking to overcome them when they strike
Despite the countless hours of rehearsals and practice that go into a pageant, there is no amount of preparation that can stop a wardrobe malfunction from happening when you least expect it.
Luckily for the contestants gearing up to walk the stage in the 2026 Miss USA competition in Miami, Fla., on Aug. 27, years of experience in the pageant world and other competitive arenas (dance, livestock competitions and more) have caused them to develop creative solutions to even the most devastating wardrobe malfunctions on the fly.
Some contestants recall the usual, dreaded dress rip or getting a stain on their garments just before walking on stage, while others open up about the wildest malfunctions that prompted them to start incorporating new preventative methods into their pre-pageant rituals.
Other contestants have been lucky to avoid malfunctions throughout their pageant career, but have experienced moments in other parts of their lives or witnessed their fellow pageant contestants step on stage in outfits held together by safety pins and string.
Read on to hear some of the contestants' tellings PEOPLE about their worst malfunctions, and what they learned along the way.
Vivica Lewandowski on Feb. 10, 2024 in New York City.
Credit: Chance Yeh/Getty
#malfunctions #stage
Some women list experiences with ripped dresses, mismatched earrings and makeup stains among the wardrobe malfunctions they've had
Many tell PEOPLE that avoiding a wardrobe malfunction isn't entirely possible, but they emphasize the value of preparation, backup outfits and quick thinking to overcome them when they strike
Despite the countless hours of rehearsals and practice that go into a pageant, there is no amount of preparation that can stop a wardrobe malfunction from happening when you least expect it.
Luckily for the contestants gearing up to walk the stage in the 2026 Miss USA competition in Miami, Fla., on Aug. 27, years of experience in the pageant world and other competitive arenas (dance, livestock competitions and more) have caused them to develop creative solutions to even the most devastating wardrobe malfunctions on the fly.
Some contestants recall the usual, dreaded dress rip or getting a stain on their garments just before walking on stage, while others open up about the wildest malfunctions that prompted them to start incorporating new preventative methods into their pre-pageant rituals.
Other contestants have been lucky to avoid malfunctions throughout their pageant career, but have experienced moments in other parts of their lives or witnessed their fellow pageant contestants step on stage in outfits held together by safety pins and string.
Read on to hear some of the contestants' tellings PEOPLE about their worst malfunctions, and what they learned along the way.
Vivica Lewandowski on Feb. 10, 2024 in New York City.
Credit: Chance Yeh/Getty
#malfunctions #stage
2 months ago
