Kandace Krueger

Krueger started competing in local Miss Texas USA pageants as an eighteen-year-old, placing in the top five but not winning. She won her first local title, Miss Williamson County USA, in 1999 and her second, Miss Austin USA, in 2000. Krueger competed in the Miss Texas USA pageant numerous times in 1990s without placing, although she came close to making the top twelve in 1999 at the Miss Texas USA 2000 pageant. In 2000, her first appearance in the pageant semi-finalis, Krueger won the Miss Texas USA 2001 title.

Krueger represented Texas in the Miss USA 2001 pageant broadcast live from Gary, Indiana in March 2001. She made the semi-finals, becoming the first Texan to make the top ten in two years, placed second in the swimsuit competition (9.38) and fourth in the evening gown competition (9.29). She entered the top five in second place, with an average combined score of 9.33. After the final interview round she was ranked second, but went on to win the pageant.

During her homecoming in Texas, she was given the key to the city of Austin, presented to the Senate, and met with governor Rick Perry.[2]

As Miss USA, Krueger earned the right to represent the United States at the Miss Universe 2001 Pageant in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, where she finished as 2nd Runner-Up, ahead of Celina Jaitley of India and Eva Ekvall of Venezuela and behind Evelina Papantoniou of Greece and winner Denise Quiñones of Puerto Rico. She placed third in the swimsuit competition (9.37) and fourth in evening gown (9.45).