Miss Ohio USA Macy Hudson, a 2017 graduate of Stivers School for the Arts, is confident, determined, and grateful as she prepares for the 73rd Miss USA pageant on Aug. 4 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
“I’m hoping for the very best, but no matter what happens, I am most grateful to wear Ohio across my chest,” said Hudson, 24. “It’s a blessing to represent the entire great state of Ohio and Dayton on an even larger scale. It still doesn’t feel real.”
Hudson, a fashion merchandising graduate from Kent State University, credits her confidence and stage presence to the dance and violin training she received at Stivers. Expressing herself through movement, under the direction of DeShona Pepper Robertson, and classical music, under the direction of Lois Ramey, fueled her respect for executing excellence.
“Both dance and violin prepared me for the world, and I think that’s why many Stivers alums are successful after graduation because we are prepared for the future,” she said. “Our motto was giving our best performance, and I use that all the time. Learning to be so disciplined with dance and violin, having to practice putting my best face forward all the time, comes from my background in the arts and the people that built me up at Stivers.”
Growing up watching pageants with her family also prepared her for the moment ahead.
“I grew up loving everything related to fashion and modeling, and then started watching the Miss USA Pageant and Miss Universe Pageant with my family every year — it was like our Super Bowl,” Hudson said. “The pageants were amazing to watch, but it looked like something so unobtainable.”
Around the age of 15, when she became involved with smaller pageants, Hudson attended the Miss Ohio USA Pageant, which unlocked possibilities.
“I got to see someone win the title in person, which would get them to Miss USA, making me realize it was something I could do and achieve,” she said.
Having participated in the teen component of the state pageant, she set her sights on the Miss Ohio USA title last year, placing third. In May, she returned to compete and won, fulfilling her dream.
“It was my goal — I knew I wanted to make it to Miss USA,” she said.
Looking ahead to Los Angeles, Hudson is busy fine-tuning her pageant preparations, including staying current on events to ace any curveball questions from the judges. However, self-care remains of great importance.
“There are all the physical preparations and wardrobe preparations that come with being on a national stage, including staying up on the news so I can form an opinion about it, but for me, it’s really about the mental and spiritual preparations,” Hudson said. “You have to be tough. You’re putting yourself out there to be judged and share your opinions and what you care about. I’m making sure I’m checking in with myself, taking care of myself, connecting with my family, and staying healthy so I can be the best version of myself.”
Her passion for authenticity shines through in her pride as a Black woman, especially when she embraces her natural hair in the spotlight.
“I have always wanted to be the person I needed when I was younger,” Hudson shared. “Being a woman of color is very important to me, and I didn’t see someone like me holding a title like this. I didn’t see my hair type being represented early on. Winning with short hair means so much to me.”
Walking confidently in her truth, she no longer feels pressured to conform.
“In my early days of competing, I always thought I had to add straight hair, a weave, or a wig,” she explained. “After I cut my hair and started wearing it natural, I realized I felt most like myself. I love fashion and beauty, so it was always fun to play around with my hair, but stepping onstage as my favorite version of myself sends a powerful message. I’ve received messages from younger girls who told me they feel confident wearing their natural hair in their pageants. Encouraging and inspiring others to be themselves and love who they are is amazing.”
Hudson, about to begin her MBA at The Ohio State University, also founded 5:18 4LIFE, a nonprofit raising awareness about rare blood disorders and the importance of blood donation. The organization honors her sister, Moriah Hudson Burrage, who passed away in 2021 at age 27.
“Pursuing this title is about sharing my message of hope and inspiration,” she said. “When I lost my sister, I didn’t think I could get through that grief and pain. I stayed in a dark place for longer than I wanted to. By sharing my message and story, I want people to know there is a way through pain. I turned my experiences into a message to help others. I want to encourage people to donate blood and help save lives. Keeping my sister’s memory alive through this is healing for me, and I know it’s healing for others too.”
Driven by love for her family and the Dayton community, and following in the footsteps of other Black Miss Ohio USA title holders like 1970 winner Jayne Kennedy and 1986 winner Halle Berry, Hudson approaches the Miss USA pageant with excitement and joy.
“This moment is so much bigger than me,” she said. “I’m doing this for the community, my family, and anyone who can see themselves in me. I’m already a winner.”