5 Things to Know About Miss USA, Nia Sanchez of Nevada
Meet the woman from Nevada who will go on to compete for Miss Universe.
June 9, 2014 -- intro: On Sunday night, Miss Nevada, Nia Sanchez, was crowned Miss U.S.A., thus winning the opportunity to represent the United States in the Miss Universe competition later this year. Here are five things to know about the 24-year-old beauty queen.
quicklist: 1title: She's a Skilled Martial Artist text: Sanchez has done taekwondo for 12 years and competed nationally. Now, she's a fourth-degree black belt. "I learned at a young age that you need to be confident and be able to defend yourself and I think that's something we should really implement for a lot of women," she said. "More awareness is very important so women can learn how to protect themselves."
quicklist: 2title: She Lives in Las Vegastext: Though she was born in Sacramento, Sanchez moved to Las Vegas as a child. "It's a city of bright lights, a city that never sleeps," she said in a Miss USA video of her adopted hometown. "You can go hiking which I love to do. You can go to the great restaurants, the shows. You are never bored when you're in Vegas."
quicklist: 3title: Her Life Hasn't Always Been Glamoroustext: At the age of 6, she lived with her mom in a women's shelter. Now, she works in one. "I can really relate to the women on a personal level because I've been there and I've been through those experiences," she said.
quicklist: 4title: She Wasn't a Lifelong Pageant Competitortext: Sanchez only began watching pageants at 19.
quicklist: 5title: Sorry Guys, She's Taken!text: Sanchez is dating actor Daniel Booko. "In case you haven't heard... My baby @missnvusa2014 just won #missusa2014 !!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!! I can't believe!! I love and am so proud of u baby!!! it's gonna gonna be an amazing year!!!! #missusa2014 #teamnia #proudboyfriend," he wrote on Instagram.
