Pageant Passion Fuels Scholarship Success: Thom Brodeur's Story

Thom Brodeur's journey in the world of pageantry began decades before he became the CEO of the Miss USA organization. In the early 1990s, Brodeur's first exposure to the pageant system was through a friend's participation in the Miss Teen USA competition, the same year Halle Berry won her state pageant in Ohio.

Brodeur's own foray into pageantry came in 1991 when he entered a male scholarship competition, a completely foreign concept to him at the time. This leap of faith secured him a $500 scholarship, enough to pay for his books and other necessary school supplies. Determined to make the most of this opportunity, Brodeur took his rookie pageantry skills all the way to the national competition, where he secured a $10,000 scholarship and completed his college education.

Over the past 30 years, Brodeur has built an impressive career in consumer technology and e-commerce, all while maintaining a deep passion for the pageant industry. He has judged over 180 local, state, national, and international pageants, and has coached thousands of women around the world, regardless of the pageant system.

Now, as the new owner of the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA organizations, Brodeur is poised to lead the pageants into a new era. With plans to reform the competitions, including adjusting NDAs to give contestants more freedom to speak about their experiences, Brodeur is determined to ensure the pageants continue to thrive for generations to come.