Shandi Finnessey

Shandi Ren Finnessey, born June 9, 1978, is an American actress, model, television host, and beauty pageant titleholder. She is best known for winning the Miss USA 2004 title as Miss Missouri USA and placing as the first runner-up at the Miss Universe 2004 pageant. She previously held the title of Miss Missouri 2002 and competed in the Miss America 2003 competition, making her one of three women to hold both Miss Missouri USA and Miss Missouri titles, and the only Missourian to win Miss USA.

Raised in Florissant, Missouri, by her parents Patrick and Linda Finnessey, she attended McCluer North High School before transferring to Incarnate Word Academy, graduating in 1996. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology at Lindenwood University in December 1999. After graduating, she worked briefly as a substitute teacher in Jackson, Missouri, and began graduate studies in counseling at Lindenwood before postponing them upon winning Miss USA. Finnessey also began modeling at age six, working with Ford Models in Chicago and Talent Plus in St. Louis.

Finnessey's pageant career began with several state competitions starting in 1999. She won the Miss Missouri title in 2002, where she performed a piano arrangement for her talent, and went on to win an evening gown preliminary award at Miss America 2003. She subsequently won the Miss Missouri USA title and was crowned Miss USA on April 12, 2004. Representing the United States at Miss Universe 2004 in Ecuador, she placed first runner-up. During her reign, she advocated for breast and ovarian cancer awareness and the integration of individuals with mental challenges into society.

Following her reign, Finnessey built a television hosting career. From 2005 to 2008, she co-hosted the game show Lingo on the Game Show Network alongside Chuck Woolery. She also co-hosted interactive series such as PlayMania and quiznation, and served as a sideline reporter for the Ultimate Blackjack Tour on CBS. In addition, she provided commentary and co-hosting duties for several Miss USA and Miss Universe broadcasts between 2005 and 2011.

Finnessey expanded into reality television and acting. She competed on the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars in 2007 and appeared on programs such as The Apprentice, Phenomenon, Wanna Bet?, Minute to Win It, and Ready for Love. Her acting roles include playing Stephie in the 2010 Syfy film Sharktopus. She later worked as an original reporter for ENTV News in 2012 and joined OK!TV as a correspondent in 2013.

As an author, Finnessey published the children's book The Furrtails in 2002, which addressed individuality and disabilities, earning an Authors Who Make a Difference award and a Ryan Brems Award. She also wrote a second book, Suzanna the Banana. In July 2015, she married businessman Ben Higgins, with whom she has three sons: Finn Arthur, Bodhi James, and Charlie Bear.