Miss USA 2005, Chelsea Cooley started entering pageants to better her own life, and during her reign she took the
opportunity to improve the lives of others. The North Caroline native, who is currently living in New York pursuing
a career in television and film, made breast and ovarian cancer awareness her main focus during her year as
Miss USA, helping to raise over 22.8 million dollars for research. It is a cause close to Chelsea’s heart – a
friend was diagnosed with cancer in her early twenties. Chelsea also worked with the Best Buddies Organization.
A self-confessed tomboy, Chelsea’s hobbies include following major league baseball, snorkeling, jet skiing, and dancing. At the age of seven Chelsea entered her first shag dancing contest (a form of swing dancing) and went on to become the National Shag Dance Champion. Born October 30, 1983, to Jackie and Doug Cooley, Chelsea was the first Miss North Carolina to win the Miss USA crown. She also placed in the top 10 at the Miss Universe contest.
Chelsea, who was able to put herself through college with scholarships earned through pageants, crowned her successor, another Southern belle, Tara Conner of Kentucky, at the conclusion of the final Miss USA competition on April 21.
Chelsea’s great-grandfather was Scots- Irish. Her great-grandmother, whose maiden name was Kelly, was Irish.
A self-confessed tomboy, Chelsea’s hobbies include following major league baseball, snorkeling, jet skiing, and dancing. At the age of seven Chelsea entered her first shag dancing contest (a form of swing dancing) and went on to become the National Shag Dance Champion. Born October 30, 1983, to Jackie and Doug Cooley, Chelsea was the first Miss North Carolina to win the Miss USA crown. She also placed in the top 10 at the Miss Universe contest.
Chelsea, who was able to put herself through college with scholarships earned through pageants, crowned her successor, another Southern belle, Tara Conner of Kentucky, at the conclusion of the final Miss USA competition on April 21.
Chelsea’s great-grandfather was Scots- Irish. Her great-grandmother, whose maiden name was Kelly, was Irish.