[1] Kára McCullough of District of Columbia crowned her successor Sarah Rose Summers of Nebraska at the end of the event, becoming the first woman from her state to win the title.

[2] Summers represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2018 pageant on December 17, 2018 in Bangkok, and placed in the Top 20.

Nick Lachey is one of the members of boy band 98 Degrees, while Vanessa Lachey formerly was crowned Miss Teen USA 1998 as Vanessa Minnillo, and has worked as a presenter in Total Request Live and a correspondent in Entertainment Tonight.

On May 17, 2018, the aforementioned 98 Degrees and country singer Lee Brice were announced as musical guests.

§ – Voted into Top 15 by viewers Prior to the final competition, the delegates competed in the preliminary competition, which involves private interviews with the judges and a presentation show where they compete in swim wear and evening gown and was held on May 17, hosted by Erin Lim and Kára McCullough.