Luke Valley chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about representing the state of Wisconsin in the 2025 Mister USA competition.
At just 21 years old, Valley brings a story of resilience, hard work, and purpose. Raised in a small town in the Midwest, his childhood was packed with outdoor adventures—hunting, fishing, snowboarding, boating, riding dirt bikes, and being active in 4-H. He also played sports throughout high school, developing a strong sense of teamwork and discipline. When his family faced tough times, Luke stepped up to help his father build a water company from the ground up, learning lifelong lessons about perseverance and dedication.
After graduating high school, he committed himself to fitness, self-growth, and finding his true path. He discovered his passion in utility work, now serving as a waterline utility worker and a first-year electric lineman apprentice. One of his most impactful moments came when he helped bring electricity and running water to families in the Navajo Nation—an experience that deepened his commitment to serve and uplift others.
Alongside his career, Valley has built a growing social media platform where he inspires followers by sharing his authentic journey through challenges and transformation. Now stepping onto the national stage at Mister USA, Valley is determined to represent Wisconsin with heart, purpose, and perseverance.
Mister USA pageant
Mister USA is an American beauty pageant, which is held annually, and the winner goes on to represent the United States in the Mister Universe competition. It is a celebration of culture, diversity, beauty, intelligence and empowerment. They believe in the power of young leaders to make a difference in the world. It is not solely about outer beauty; it recognizes the inner beauty and intelligence of their contestants.
On competing for Mister USA, he remarked, “Being selected to compete in the Mister USA competition feels surreal. I never imagined that simply posting videos online would lead to this opportunity, where I can compete and demonstrate to others that anything is possible.”
Representing Wisconsin
On repping Wisconsin, he shared, “I am incredibly excited to represent Wisconsin. Although I did not spend my entire childhood there, I was born in Wisconsin, and it is my mother’s home state. Having grown up in the Midwest and being a longtime fan of the Wisconsin Badgers football team, I feel that my Midwestern background makes me a good representative of Wisconsin.”
Daily motivations
Regarding his daily motivations, he stated, “People often say to move on from the past, but for me, it’s quite the opposite. I use my past as a daily motivation, not to prove anything to others, but because I remember what it was like to be in an unhealthy state of mind and not be treated well. That alone motivates me to keep striving for a better lifestyle, body, and mind.”
Future plans
On his future plans, he revealed, “My plan for the future is to help others achieve their dreams. Having worked multiple jobs growing up, I’ve seen many unhappy people due to not being treated as they deserve. I want to show people that settling for something they’re not happy with is not the best option.”
“I plan to do this by becoming a fitness trainer and life coach for those who need guidance. I believe this will make a positive impact on others’ lives and, overall, help make the world a better place,” he added.
Valley on why he feels he deserves to win Mister USA
When asked why he feels he deserves to win Mister USA, Valley responded, “There will always be someone better-looking, in better shape, and perhaps more successful. But ultimately, my goal for Mr. USA is to share my story and showcase the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am today. I hope to win Mister USA to show others that, as an underdog, you can still achieve success in life.”
Valley reveals the best advice he has ever been given
Regarding the best advice he has ever been given, he disclosed, “The best advice I’ve ever received is to prioritize self-care by taking care of my body. Our bodies serve as temples where our thoughts, actions, and experiences unfold.”
“Neglecting self-care can lead to a lack of respect from others, as I’ve learned from personal experience. Since embracing this advice, I’ve noticed a significant increase in the respect I receive from others due to my improved appearance and overall health,” he elaborated.
Success
On his definition of success, he said, “Success, to me, means achieving your goals and dreams. It’s that simple: if your goal is to travel the world and positively impact others’ lives, and you accomplish that, then you’re successful in achieving your life goals. While others may have different opinions on what success means, it’s truly a subjective term. Ultimately, success means whatever you want it to mean to yourself.”
Message for his fans and supporters
For his fans and supporters, Valley expressed, “I want to thank my fans for bringing me this far. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m so grateful for all my supporters across my social media platforms, and it means the world to me that they’re on this journey with me.”
“I want all my supporters to relate to my story and use it to motivate themselves to strive for self-improvement. I know the world can be difficult sometimes, but we must never lose hope,” Valley concluded.
To learn more about Luke Valley, follow him on Instagram.
