[2] The pageant was won by Susie Castillo of Massachusetts, who was crowned by outgoing queen Shauntay Hinton of the District of Columbia.

[1] The format reverted to a Top Ten who competed in swimsuit and evening gown,[1] although, as with 2002, there was no interview competition for the semi-finalists.

Daisy Fuentes co-hosted the event for the first time (although she had been a color commentator in 1995), joined by Billy Bush, who would also host the 2004 and 2005 events, as well as the Miss Universe pageants all three years.

Color commentary was added by the reigning Miss USA Shauntay Hinton.

The judges included future first lady Melania Knauss, soap-opera star Kristian Alfonso, football player Warren Sapp, actor Mekhi Phifer and former astronaut John Blaha.