When Aileen Cerchiara, a nurse from Tampa with Colombian and Argentine roots<\/a>, was chosen Miss Florida USA, Fern\u00e1ndez was determined to make it to Miss USA.<\/p>\n \u201cMy roots are Cuban, but this country has given me my wings,\u201d Fern\u00e1ndez said.<\/p>\n For Fern\u00e1ndez, that idea aligns with the contest\u2019s purpose: to choose a queen who represents the entire country at the global pageant, recognizing that many Americans come from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.<\/p>\n Thom Brodeur, chief executive of Miss USA, pointed out that Miami hosts the pageant because of its role as a \u201cbilingual, bicultural and global\u201d city.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no better setting to celebrate the 75th anniversary of an American icon than a city that embodies where the country is headed,\u201d Brodeur told the Herald.<\/p>\n A flower that defies adversity<\/p>\n At the Miss USA preliminary gala on Aug. 25 \u2014 also at the Adrienne Arsht Center \u2014 Fern\u00e1ndez wore a costume inspired by Montana\u2019s official flower, the bitterroot.<\/p>\n \u201cA wildflower that grows from rocky soil despite adversity,\u201d Fern\u00e1ndez describes, saying she chose that design because it represents not only her but \u201call the women who bloom every day despite adversity.\u201d<\/p>\n She also wore a futuristic-cut dress designed by the Dominican firm Cfor2, which proved controversial because it departs from the traditional style of gowns usually worn by beauty queens. Fern\u00e1ndez said the Miss USA pageant has aimed to move more toward avant-garde fashion.<\/p>\n Fern\u00e1ndez, 28, studies government and intelligence at Liberty University, because among her professional goals is \u201cserving my country as an ambassador or diplomat in perhaps the not-too-distant future.\u201d<\/p>\n Miss USA final gala<\/p>\n Miss Montana will compete tonight against representatives from the other 49 states and the District of Columbia, including Miss Florida, Aileen Cerchiara; Miss Nevada, Natalie Bode, a poker reporter who was born in Panama City, although she was raised in Texas; Miss Rhode Island, Victoria Cuartas, born in Delray Beach; and Miss Michigan, Amber Uhler, a 41-year-old mothe<\/a>r born in Tampa, who has one of the most inspiring stories in this year\u2019s pageant.<\/p>\n Uhler, who at one point weighed 300 pounds, began a strict diet and exercise regimen after a doctor warned her that otherwise she would not see her children graduate high school.<\/p>\n With a broader vision of beauty, contestants\u2019 personal stories take on fundamental importance when choosing the Miss USA winner.<\/p>\n \u201cA queen isn\u2019t built solely from an image or a pretty face, but from character, comprehensive communication skills and, above all, the ability to represent something bigger than herself,\u201d Fern\u00e1ndez said.<\/p>\n The Miss USA final gala will be broadcast starting at 8 p.m. from the Arsht Center in downtown Miami via Queen Beauty Network (QBN).<\/p>\n This story was originally published August 27, 2026 at 3:32 PM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Miami Herald<\/p>\n Lisbeth Fern\u00e1ndez in an evening gown at the Miss USA 2026 preliminary competition\u2014a design by the Dominican label Cfor2 Studio\u2014aligning with the Miss USA pageant\u2019s commitment to showcasing cutting-edge fashion designs. Carlos Rodr\u00edguez <\/p>\n
![\"\u201cA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_0057.jpg\" "\\"IMG_0057.jpg\\"")
\u201cA wildflower that grows in rocky soil despite adversity,\u201d said Fern\u00e1ndez regarding the inspiration for her costume. Carlos Rodr\u00edguez <\/p>\n