People.com Alexandra Miller is no stranger to the pageant world, but because she is in her last year of age eligibility, she never thought she’d make it onto the Miss USA stage.

“I was [current Miss USA] Olivia Jordan’s first runner-up when she won the title of Miss Oklahoma USA, and she actually won Miss USA on my 26th birthday, which meant I had to decide if I wanted to compete my last year or take over her title,” Miller tells PEOPLE.

Miller decided to step in as Miss Oklahoma USA, meaning she would no longer be able to compete for the Miss USA crown.

However, thanks to a fan vote for a 52nd contestant, the pageant pro will be able to compete. Miller was chosen from 10 ladies vying for the final spot, after competing in a nationwide search for Miss 52, a woman who best embodies Miss USA based on originality, personality and a web interview. Read the full article here.