Miss USA Pays $10,000 Prize to Miss Teen USA 2024 After Lawsuit

UPDATE: In a significant development, the Miss USA Organization has confirmed that it has finally paid Addie Carver, the reigning Miss Teen USA 2024, the promised $10,000 scholarship prize—over a year after it was originally due. This payment comes amid ongoing legal disputes surrounding the pageant’s previous leadership.

Carver, who was crowned in August 2024, had been waiting for her scholarship after a tumultuous year marked by allegations against the former CEO, Laylah Rose. According to a recent lawsuit filed by JKN Universe, which owns the Miss USA Organization, Rose failed to distribute several prizes promised to pageant winners during her tenure.

The Miss USA Organization, now led by Thom Brodeur, stated that the payment to Carver was completed in September 2025. Business Insider has obtained evidence of the transactions via Venmo and Zelle to Carver and her mother, validating the claim.

Reflecting on the past year, Carver shared her mixed experiences, stating, “This new leadership has taken care of me a lot—way more than I’ve had in the past year.” She added that the support she received during her reign “really did make my year 10 times better.”

The lawsuit against Rose’s company, VVV Global Ent., also highlights a broader issue of mismanagement, claiming a “toxic work environment” and failure to pay other winners, including Alma Cooper, Miss USA 2024, her promised $100,000 salary. This has raised questions about the accountability of pageant leadership and the treatment of contestants.

In response to the lawsuit, VVV denied the allegations, asserting that Cooper did not receive her salary due to her status as an active member of the U.S. Army, which restricts outside employment without command approval.

The current leadership has made strides to rectify past oversights, including revamping the prize packages for future winners. Carver expressed excitement for the next Miss Teen USA, stating, “I’m a little bit jealous I’m not gonna get to have all of that myself,” referring to the new prize package that includes a feature in Teen Vogue and a four-year scholarship at Mississippi State University.

As Carver prepares to pass on her crown, she emphasizes the importance of her role in inspiring young girls to pursue their dreams in pageantry. “They definitely gave me hope, and I think a lot of other people hope too,” she added.

The Miss USA Organization aims to move forward from the controversies of the past and rebuild its reputation in the pageantry community. The recent developments signal a commitment to transparency and support for its contestants, setting a hopeful tone for the future of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.