The competition to find the next Miss USA 2016 is grueling on the girls. Miss California Nadia Mejia experienced it first hand during the question-and-answer round.
The beauty was asked how she would narrow the gap between the rich and the poor. Mejia out of the gate looked completely stressed out with the question. She took seconds to answer and when she started answering she scrambled miserably.
This was the moment that cost her the crown and did not allow her to move on to the Top 3. It was so tragic, since Nadia was one of the favorites to win the night. See the video of her blunder below and reactions from Twitter!
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Miss USA California Nadia Mejia was 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 finalists were 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 participated in this year's pageant, down from 8 last year. Daniella Rodriguez from Texas and Nadia Mejia from California represented 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.
TWITTER REACTIONS
Bye California __ #MissUSA
— Hannah-Marie (@allabout_marie) June 6, 2016
UGHH CALIFORNIA ____ WHYYY let me down like that! That was a hard question tho but sigh #MissUSA
— Fatima (@FatimaM_07) June 6, 2016
Oh Miss California.... oh my, oh no... I can't watch. Oh my heart _ #MissUSA
— Holly Caitlin Farris (@holly_caitlin) June 6, 2016
Miss Cali got a tough question _ #MissUSA
— marissa (@diannemarissa) June 6, 2016
Omg #MissCalifornia the nerves are real. You still Rock!! #MissUSA
— C.E. Melville, Th.D (@RoyalFilmaker) June 6, 2016
And that is how to lose a pageant folks......#CaliforniaUSA #MissUSA
— Makho Ndlovu (@makhondlovu) June 6, 2016
California thinks the poor need to work hard? #bitchbye #MissUSA
— helicopterdogmom (@LadyAndTheDood) June 6, 2016
#California #MissUSA question was not fair not all! #JustSaying
— Titus Quinn⭐️ (@TitusQuinn2014) June 6, 2016
#California.........GUUUUUURL BYE!!!!!! #MissUSA
— Taurean Johnson (@taureanj) June 6, 2016
I feel so sorry for Miss California. That was rough. #MissUSA
— Kimberly Reed (@KimiReed) June 6, 2016
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