Miss USA 2016 Top 15 Finalists: Latina Nadia Mejia, 'Rico Suave' Daughter, Makes Cut [LIVE UPDATES]

The competition to find the next Miss USA 2016 is red hot in Las Vegas. All 52 contestants are vying to take the title from Olivia Jordan and represent America at the Miss Universe pageant. Conforming the Top 15 were the following beauty queens: Leah Lawson (South Carolina), Megan Wise (Ohio), Emanii Davis (Georgia), Chelsea Myers (Arizona), Peyton Brown (Alabama), Nichole Greene (West Virginia), Deshauna Barber (District Of Columbia), Nadia Mejia (California), Sydnee Stottlemyre (Missouri), Tiffany Teixeira (Connecticut), Chelsea Hardin (Hawaii), Madison McKeown (South Dakota), Abby Floyd (Arkansas), Desi Williams (Virginia) and Taylor Gorton (Oklahoma).

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Miss USA California, Nadia Mejia, was also voted fan favorite. The only other Latina in the competition, Daniella Rodriguez (Texas), did not make the first cut and was eliminated.

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The initial Top 15 was selected by a panel of judges during a preliminary competition that took place on Wednesday, June 1. All 52 women took the stage sporting swimwear and evening gowns and were graded on that. The judges for this first viewing were Fred Nelson, Joey Boukadakis, Keltie Knight, Kristin Conte, Nick Phelps and Rebecca Bienstock.

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Two Latinas are participating in this year's pageant, down from 8 last year. Daniella Rodriguez from Texas and Nadia Mejia from California are representing our Hispanic heritage at Miss USA 2016.

The live telecast of Miss USA 2016 took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Hosted by Julianne Hough and Terrence Jenkins, the opening scene had a special cameo by Steve Harvey poking fun at his Miss Colombia blunder during Miss Universe 2016. Both were joined by Ashley Graham from backstage having inside scoop and all the drama from behind the scenes. Musical performances were made possible by Chris Young and Backstreet Boys. Judges for the telecast included Ali Landry, Crystle Stewart, Joe Zee and Laura Brown.