Miss Maine Pageant Heats Up: Transgender Contestant Leads as Belichick’s Girlfriend Trails

The 2025 Miss Maine pageant is shaping up to be a particularly compelling event, marked by both celebrity interest and a significant milestone in representation. Jordon Hudson, the 24-year-old girlfriend of legendary football coach Bill Belichick, is vying for the crown after securing the runner-up position last year. However, early indicators from online fan voting suggest that her path to victory may be more challenging than anticipated.

The online voting component of the pageant allows the public to cast votes for their favorite contestant at a cost of $1 per vote. The contestant who garners the most votes through this platform will be awarded the People’s Choice Award, a distinction that also guarantees them a coveted spot in the pageant’s semifinals. Despite her high-profile connection, Hudson found herself lagging behind in the initial stages of the online vote, amassing just over 220 votes at the time of the latest reporting.

Surpassing Hudson in the online voting race is Isabelle St. Cyr, who had garnered over 440 votes. St. Cyr’s participation in the Miss Maine competition is particularly noteworthy as she is the first transgender model to compete in the pageant’s history. Her journey to the Miss Maine stage has been marked by resilience and determination, evidenced by her previous victory in the local Miss Monson USA pageant in the Maine town of Monson.

St. Cyr shared a poignant reflection on her experiences in a Facebook post, recounting the challenges she faced when she first started cheerleading. She described encountering "so much pushback" and facing individuals who told her that cheerleading "wasn’t a space for me." Undeterred, St. Cyr fought for her passion and ultimately achieved remarkable success, winning state and national titles and inspiring others to pursue cheerleading regardless of their background.

Drawing parallels between her cheerleading journey and her current pursuit in pageantry, St. Cyr expressed her belief that she possesses "everything it takes to be Miss Maine USA." She emphasized that no amount of prior experience can rival the power of "a true passion and drive to accomplish something."

The Miss Maine pageant is unfolding against the backdrop of a broader political landscape in Maine, where the issue of transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports has become a focal point of contention. The state has emerged as a "battleground" in the ongoing national debate between state and federal authorities on this sensitive matter.

Maine’s Governor Janet Mills and state education officials have adopted a firm stance in support of trans inclusion, even in the face of mounting federal pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration. The Department of Justice has even filed a lawsuit against the state over its policies related to transgender athletes.

Beyond the spotlight on Hudson and St. Cyr, the Miss Maine pageant also highlights the personal narratives and motivations of the contestants. Hudson’s platform centers on representing Maine fishing families, drawing from her own experience of her family’s fishing business going bankrupt during her childhood. She has articulated her commitment to using her voice "to protect the fleeting tradition and heritage of Maine fishing families, to prevent others from going through the same plight as what mine had to go through."

However, the online voting process has not been without its challenges. The Maine online vote page experienced a crash, rendering updated results unavailable for a period of time. Prior to the crash, the online vote was led by Lexi Bjork, a student at the University of Southern Maine, who had amassed over 1,400 votes.

The competition for the Miss Maine crown is multifaceted, encompassing not only physical beauty and poise but also intelligence, communication skills, and a commitment to community service. The contestants are evaluated through various components, including interviews, talent presentations, evening gown competitions, and on-stage questions.

The judges, typically a panel of accomplished individuals from diverse backgrounds, assess the contestants based on a range of criteria, including their overall presentation, confidence, articulation, and alignment with the values and ideals of the Miss Maine organization.

The winner of the Miss Maine pageant will not only receive the coveted crown and title but will also have the opportunity to represent the state at the prestigious Miss USA pageant, a national competition that serves as a stepping stone to the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Maine titleholder also becomes an ambassador for the state, promoting various causes and initiatives throughout her reign.

The 2025 Miss Maine pageant is poised to be a memorable event, showcasing the talent and aspirations of young women from across the state. The participation of both Jordon Hudson and Isabelle St. Cyr has added layers of intrigue and significance to the competition, highlighting themes of celebrity, representation, and the ongoing debates surrounding trans inclusion. As the pageant unfolds, it will be interesting to observe how the contestants navigate the various challenges and opportunities, and ultimately, who will emerge as the next Miss Maine.

Regardless of the outcome, the pageant provides a platform for these young women to share their stories, advocate for causes they believe in, and inspire others to pursue their dreams. The Miss Maine pageant is more than just a beauty contest; it is a celebration of intelligence, ambition, and the power of women to make a positive impact on their communities.