Miss District of Columbia USA Deshauna Barber Crowned Miss USA 2016
Miss District of Columbia USA Deshauna Barber was crowned Miss USA 2016 at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 5, 2016. The telecast aired live on FOX and CHI Haircare was the title sponsor of the event. Barber is 26 years ...
Anne Moratto・Director of Brand Content Strategy, MODERN SALON and NAILS
Miss District of Columbia USA Deshauna Barber was crowned Miss USA 2016 at the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 5, 2016. The telecast aired live on FOX and CHI Haircare was the title sponsor of the event.
Barber is 26 years old and was born in Columbus, Georgia. The daughter of an Army Master Sergeant (now retired), she relocated multiple times growing up to states including North Carolina, Nebraska, Minnesota, Virginia and Washington, D.C. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Virginia State University, she returned to Washington, D.C. where she is currently working as an IT Analyst for the U.S. Department of Commerce. In 2011, Barber commissioned as a Quartermaster Officer in the Army and is currently a Logistics Commander for the 988th Quartermaster Detachment Unit at Fort Meade, Maryland. Deshauna is passionate about serving the men and women in the U.S. military, specifically focusing her efforts on PTSD treatment for soldiers returning from deployments and suicide prevention in the Armed Forces.
Ad Loading...
The newly crowned Miss USA 2016, Deshauna Barber poses with Farouk Shami, Founder of Farouk Systems, backstage at the CHI Lounge after the 2016 MISS USA® Competition, which aired live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on FOX Sunday, June 5th. HO/The Miss Universe Organization
Photographer: Matt Petit
Emmy Award winner Julianne Hough and three-time Emmy Award nominee Terrence “J” Jenkins co-hosted the three-hour event, for which they both served as creative producers. Model, entrepreneur and body activist Ashley Graham took viewers behind-the-scenes as backstage host. Best-selling artists Backstreet Boys, Grammy-nominated country music star Chris Young, and international performers Nervo took the MISS USA stage to perform throughout the night.
Judges Nigel Barker, Laura Brown, Ali Landry, Crystle Stewart and Joe Zee selected Deshauna Barber from an incredible group of 52 women from 50 states and District of Columbia, as well as Miss 52 USA, Alexandra Miller, who was selected via #FindingMiss52, a nationwide search for a 52nd contestant to compete in this year’s event. Additionally, fans had the opportunity to help their favorite contestants secure a place in the Top 15 by casting their votes leading up to and during the telecast through the new Miss U mobile app.
Contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview, which culminated in Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan from Oklahoma crowning Deshauna Barber.
Ad Loading...
Final Results:
First Runner-Up: Miss Hawaii USA Chelsea Hardin
Second Runner-Up: Miss Georgia USA Emanii Davis
Top Three: Miss Georgia USA Emanii Davis; Miss Hawaii USA Chelsea Hardin; Miss District of Columbia USA Deshauna Barber.
Top Five: Miss Georgia USA Emanii Davis; Miss Hawaii USA Chelsea Hardin; Miss District of Columbia USA Deshauna Barber; Miss Alabama USA Peyton Brown; Miss California USA Nadia Mejia.
Celebrating 60 years in haircare, Dippity-Do is honoring its styling heritage with its Girls with Curls collection, a reimagined Light Hold Gelée inspired by the brand's original 1965 styling gel.
Covet & Mane has expanded its Pro Color System with the launch of Color Boost Drops, completing what the company says is the first professional color system engineered specifically for hair extensions.
The 2026 Beauty Changes Lives Legacy Award has been awarded to Sam Villa for his trailblazing contribution, advocacy and mentorship that has profoundly transformed and elevated the professional beauty industry.
Curl Cult founder Janine Jarman, a hairstylist, salon owner, educator, and product creator, is opening a community investment round that gives hairdressers and clients the opportunity to own a stake in the company they helped grow.
Aura Salonware is proud to announce its 2026 scholarship recipients. This first-time scholarship in partnership with the Professional Beauty Association awarded three different scholarships to support beauty professionals at every point in their professional journey.
SalonCentric has announced its expansion into Alaska, marking the distributor’s presence across all 50 states and bringing additional access to professional beauty products, education and business support to licensed salon professionals in the region.
Though their Astronaut of Hope collection of brushes and clips, ERGO Styling Tools raises $33,000 to support HairToStay, the first and only national nonprofit dedicated to making scalp cooling treatments affordable for cancer patients.
At the America’s Beauty Show press conference—hosted in collaboration with Cosmetologists Chicago—these standout professionals were recognized for their contributions to the industry.
A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.
amika's new Stylist Circle is a community-first model designed to reflect and support the full spectrum of today's working stylists. Find out how you can join.