Nicole Johnson

Nicole Michele Johnson is an American model, beauty pageant titleholder, and philanthropist. She is best known for winning the Miss California USA title in 2010 and representing California as a top-ten finalist in the Miss USA 2010 pageant.

Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Johnson spent her early childhood in Pennsylvania before moving to Westlake Village, California. She attended Westlake High School, graduating in 2003. She continued her education at the University of Southern California, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with an emphasis on sports and entertainment in 2007.

Johnson's pageant career began as a teenager when she entered the Miss California Teenager competition, finishing as first runner-up among more than 300 entrants. She later competed in the Miss California USA pageant, achieving first runner-up honors in 2007 before taking the top honor in November 2009. Representing California at the Miss USA 2010 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, she advanced through the preliminary rounds to finish in the top ten overall. Outside of pageantry, she worked as a professional model and appeared in promotional events, print ads, and television segments.

Following her modeling and pageant work, Johnson worked in production, sports marketing, and event coordination. She married Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps in 2016. In her professional and community work, Johnson serves as an ambassador and advocate for the Michael Phelps Foundation, where she helps support programs focused on water safety, healthy living, and mental wellness.