Samantha Catherine Keaton, 20, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States has lived in different parts of Texas, USA including Austin and Del Rio. She also previously lived in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Keaton had her beauty pageant training at Miss Academy, which was founded by Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart and fashion model Max Sebrechts. In 2017, Keaton founded Glam by Sam.

From Miss Texas Teen USA to Miss USA

At Miss Texas Teen USA 2017, Keaton was a semifinalist. She was unplaced at both Miss Texas Teen USA 2018 and Miss Texas Teen USA 2019.

On December 1, 2019, Keaton competed for the Miss Texas Teen USA 2020 crown in Houston, Texas. She was runner-up to Anissa Mendez.

On May 23, 2021, Keaton represented Milwaukee at Miss Wisconsin USA 2021 and competed against 31 other candidates at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. She won the title.

On November 29, 2021, Keaton will represent Wisconsin at Miss USA 2021 at the Paradise Cove Theater of River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. If she wins, she will be the first Miss USA from Wisconsin.

The Miss USA 2021 winner will represent the U.S. at Miss Universe 2021. The reigning Miss Universe 2020 is Andrea Meza, 26, of Mexico.

From Milwaukee to Tulsa

Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is widely known as a historic manufacturing and brewing center. Often called Brew City, it boasts a rich cultural fabric shaped by European immigration, particularly from Germany, which influenced its local institutions and traditions. Today, the city balances its industrial past with a diversified economy, a thriving arts scene, and extensive park systems that capitalize on its waterfront location.

In contrast, Tulsa is located in the heart of Oklahoma’s Green Country along the Arkansas River. Historically linked to the oil industry and the famous Route 66, the city is celebrated for its significant concentration of Art Deco architecture and its profound, complex history within the Greenwood District. The city offers a unique blend of big city opportunities and a tight-knit community feel, featuring vibrant arts districts, modern public spaces like The Gathering Place, and a deep appreciation for its Indigenous and musical roots.