BALTIMORE — The newly crowned Miss Maryland USA made history on June 1, becoming the first Asian American to be crowned at the annual pageant and the first transgender woman to claim the title of Miss Maryland.
Montgomery County native Bailey Ann Kennedy, 31, competed in her first pageant and is now the crowned Miss Maryland in the Miss USA pageant. Transgender women have been allowed to compete in pageants since 2013, but a rule barring contestants over the age of 28 was lifted this year.
Kennedy said the past two weeks have been hectic and she never expected to make it into the top 18, let alone the top 15.
“As Asians, we’re raised to be humble and to be grateful for every opportunity,” Kennedy said. “So at that moment, I was crying because I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m doing something big for my community.'”
Kennedy grew up watching the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, so the competitions hold a special place in her heart, but said winning the title is an even bigger honor for her personally.
“Being the first Miss Maryland USA who represents all aspects of what it means to be beautiful and confident means everything to me,” Kennedy said. “I don’t take it lightly. It’s such an honor.”
Her desire to win was born out of wanting to represent her community to the best of her ability. She says she put a lot of pressure on herself, but now that she has the title in hand, she just wants to shine the spotlight on her community.
“I hope that I can make a great contribution to society so that the LGBTQIA+ community is no longer viewed in a negative light,” Kennedy said, “so that minority girls can look at me and see themselves and see themselves in my journey.”
Kennedy will compete in the Miss USA pageant in August and hopes to advance to the Miss Universe contest.
