Ken Belt chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about competing in the 2025 Mister USA competition, which will take place in Los Angeles this July.
Representing the vibrant spirit of the “Aloha State” Hawaii, Belt brings to Mister USA 2025 a story as dynamic and diverse as the places he has called home. Born in Hawaii to a military family, Ken’s journey has taken him across continents—from the bustling streets of Asia to the rich cultures of the Middle East and the heart of America—shaping a worldview rooted in empathy, creativity, and resilience. He is also assigned to a modeling agency.
“I grew up in a military family, and I grew up in such places as Japan and the Middle East,” he said. “I also traveled to dozens of countries around the world.”
A college student, model, and passionate content creator, Ken thrives on imagination and connection. With dreams of blending behavioral psychology and technology, and a dedication to tennis, running, and weightlifting, he stands as a beacon of purpose and inspiration—fueled by the support of his loved ones.
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, Belt said, “It feels awesome. I am glad that I get to do this; it feels good.”
Repping Hawaii
On repping Hawaii, he said, “It feels great because I was born there, and I have a lot of roots there. That was a good state for me to rep because I know it pretty well.
Advocacy for Mister USA
Belt opened up about his advocacy for this year’s Mister USA pageant. “It’s mental health and standing up for men that feel like they don’t have a voice, or they feel like they are invisible,” he said.
Regarding his future plans, he said, “I hope to go to graduate school to pursue a graduate degree in Psychology.”
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he revealed, “Developing into a man and learning life lessons.”
Each day, he is motivated by his “family.” “I have something to prove to myself and to other people,” he said.
Belt on why he should win Mister USA
When asked why he should win Mister USA, Belt said, “I think I should win because of my advocacy for a grand scale of men and developing boys. I think that a lot of boys are lost right now, and a lot of them require some form of direction, and they need purpose, and that’s what I talk a lot about on social media.”
“I think I am somebody that can advocate towards that,” he added.
He had kind words about Mikey Chadwick, who is repping the state of West Virginia in this year’s Mister USA pageant. “Mikey is one of my very close friends,” Belt admitted. “Mikey is a great person. We go back pretty far, so I know him well.”
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, Belt said, “Success means getting up in the morning and being able to do it over and over again.”
Closing thoughts about Mister USA
Belt concluded, “I hope people see me as somebody that is honest, as well as somebody who is worthy and deserving.”
To learn more about 2025 Mister Hawaii USA Ken Belt, follow him on Instagram.
