Alexandra Miller wasn't supposed to be here.
The 26-year-old contestant in Sunday's Miss USA competition (airing on Fox) is its first ever "Miss 52." Instead of entering as a winner of a state pageant, she was picked by people on social media to stand alongside the 51 other women. She's the first ever fan-voted Miss USA contestant.
When WME/IMG bought the Miss Universe organization from Donald Trump last year, following his controversial election comments, the company set about making some changes to how the pageants work. A big one has been bringing in the voices of people who aren't insiders in the pageant world.
Though Miller was twice a first runner-up for Miss Oklahoma, she never made it to the Miss USA stage until fans rallied around her in the Miss 52 voting. Now she has a shot at winning the Miss USA title and going on to Miss Universe.
"This is absolutely my last chance," Miller told Business Insider this week as she prepared for Miss USA. "It feels incredible."
Get to know Alexandra Miller and how she made it to the Miss USA competition below:
SEE ALSO: Everything Miss Universe gets when she wins the pageant — a luxury apartment, free clothes, and more
Alexandra Miller has spent years in pageants and was twice first runner-up in Miss Oklahoma. When the 2015 Miss Oklahoma Olivia Jordan was crowned Miss USA, Miller got to fill her shoes (and crown).
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That meant she wasn't able to compete for Miss Oklahoma again, in her last year of eligibility (you must be under 27). "It’s been a dream for several years, but to be honest with you, I thought that dream was long gone," Miller told Business Insider.
But she got another shot, thanks to the #FindingMiss52 campaign. When Miller found out about the contest through friends in the pageant world, she applied, and fans voted on social media. Here she is finding out she would compete in Miss USA after all.
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/732972944758972420
We called Alexandra Miller to let her know she won #FindingMiss52 and got it all on camera! By @SherriHillhttps://t.co/PudOKgDctl
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