13 things about Miss Colorado USA 2024 Jessi Kalambayi

Jessi Kalambayi represented Colorado, United States in the 73rd edition of Miss USA. It was won by Alma Cooper of Michigan, USA.

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BIOGRAPHY

Kalambayi is a Congolese-American model and beauty queen from Denver, Colorado. Born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, she grew up in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa before migrating to the U.S.

Growing up, Kalambayi watched Miss South Africa, Miss Congo, Miss USA and Miss Universe. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. She was a Durban Fashion Fair 2016 model.
2. In June 2017, she joined the Ministere Evangelique Source du Salut Integral et de Esperance (MESSIE) Ministry International Church of God as a volunteer interpreter.
3. She was a Massif Fashion Week 2018 model.
4. From January 2018 to December 2021, she attended the Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver where she earned her bachelor’s degrees in psychology and Africana studies.
5. From August 2019 to February 2022, she was a part-time peer advisor at the Metropolitan State University of Denver.
6. In 2022, she visited France and the United Kingdom.
7. She was a Denver Fashion Week 2022 model.
8. From September 2023 to June 2025, she attended the University of Denver in Denver where she earned her master’s degree in international studies with a concentration in migration.
9. She was a La Mariée Fashion Show 2023 model.
10. In 2024, she visited Italy.
11. She won Miss Colorado USA 2024 and was a Miss USA 2024 finalist.
12. She was a New York Fashion Week 2024 model.
13. On July 26, 2024, she turned 26.

TIMELINE

Kalambayi is the first Miss Colorado USA of Congolese descent. She was inspired by the Miss Universe 2019 coronation of South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi.

2016

• In September 2016, she walked the runway at the Durban Fashion Fair 2016 at the Durban Exhibition Centre in Durban.

2017

• In November 2017, she visited Dallas, Texas, USA.

2018

• In May 2018, she walked the runway at the Massif Fashion Week 2018 at Massif Studio Space in Denver.
• In June 2018, she visited New York City, New York, USA.

2019

• In August 2019, she visited Boulder, Colorado.

2020

• In August 2020, she was photographed by Jonny Edward for NWÀ Fashion Magazine.

2021

• From January 2021 to May 2021, she was a diversity, equity and inclusion intern at the United Nations Association of Boulder County Chapter in Boulder.
• In May 2021, she visited Houston, Texas.
• From July 2021 to December 2021, she was an economic empowerment intern at the African Community Center of Denver in Denver.

2022

• From January 2022 to December 2022, she was a case aide for public benefits and Ready For American Hospitality (RAH) at the African Community Center of Denver.
• In May 2022, she visited Los Angeles, California, USA.
• In November 2022, she walked for Jonathan Mikobi N’Dala at Denver Fashion Week 2022 at Sports Castle in Denver.
• In December 2022, she traveled to Paris, France and Manchester, England, U.K. and became the RAH program manager at the University of Denver.

2023

• In December 2023, she walked for Donna Beth and Alejandro Gaeta at La Mariée Fashion Show 2023 at Clayton Hotel and Members Club in Denver and traveled to Cape Town, South Africa.

2024

• On June 14, 2024, she traveled to Rome, Italy.
• On June 30, 2024, she represented Denver at Miss Colorado USA 2024 and competed against 45 other candidates at the Union Colony Civic Center in Greeley, Colorado. She won the title.
• On August 4, 2024, she represented Colorado at Miss USA 2024 and competed against 50 other candidates at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. She finished in the Top 10.
• In September 2024, she made her New York Fashion Week debut.