Miss USA 2009

Last updated

Miss USA 2009
Kristen Dalton (Miss USA).jpg
Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton
DateApril 19, 2009
Presenters
Entertainment
Venue Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcaster
Entrants51
Placements15
Winner Kristen Dalton
North Carolina
CongenialityCynthia Pate (Wyoming)
Photogenic Jessi Pierson (West Virginia)
←  2008
2010  →

Miss USA 2009 was the 58th Miss USA pageant, held at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2009. At the conclusion of the final night of competition, Kristen Dalton of North Carolina was crowned by outgoing titleholder Crystle Stewart of Texas.

Contents

The event was hosted by Billy Bush of Access Hollywood and actress Nadine Velazquez; Bush returned to host the pageant which he last emceed in 2005. He had previously co-hosted Miss USA 2003 with Daisy Fuentes and Miss USA 2004–2005 with Nancy O'Dell. Entertainment was provided by Kevin Rudolf who performed "Let It Rock" during the swimsuit competition and The Veronicas performed "Untouched" during the evening gown competition. [1]

The competition was broadcast in High Definition for only the second time in history.

Delegates representing the fifty states plus the District of Columbia competed in the pageant, and arrived in Las Vegas on April 2. [2] Miss USA Kristen Dalton represented the US at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant, where she reached the Top 10.

Pageants were held from June 2008 to January 2009 to select the representative for each state. During the final show on April 19, the fifteen delegates with the highest average scores from the preliminary competition were announced. The top fifteen competed in the swimsuit competition. The top ten delegates from swimsuit competed in evening gown. The top five delegates from the evening gown competition (not averaged composite scores from both competitions) competed in the final question round to determine the winner. The judges' composite score was shown after each round of competition for only the third time since 2002.

Miss USA 2009 Titlecard Miss USA 2009 logo.jpg
Miss USA 2009 Titlecard

Results

Placements

Map showing placings by state. Miss USA 2009 results map.svg
Map showing placings by state.
Final ResultsContestant
Miss USA 2009 North Carolina – Kristen Dalton [3]
1st Runner-Up California – Carrie Prejean [3]
2nd Runner-Up Arizona – Alicia-Monique Blanco [3]

Delegates

The Miss USA 2009 delegates were:

State/districtContestantHometownAge [a] HeightPlacementAwardNotes
Alabama Rachel Philippona [4] Dothan 20
Alaska Jessica Irene Nolin [5] Palmer 22
Arizona Alicia-Monique Blanco [6] Phoenix 225'8"2nd runner-up
Arkansas Chanley Painter Conway 245'9"Top 10
California Carrie Prejean La Jolla 215'10"1st runner-upLater dethroned due to same-sex marriage controversy after the conclusion of the pageant
Colorado Patrice Williams Colorado Springs 225'7"
Connecticut Monica Mary Pietrzak Manchester 255'11"Top 15
Delaware Kate Banaszak Middletown 24
District of Columbia Nicole White Washington, D.C. 205'8"Previously Miss District of Columbia Teen USA 2004
Florida Anastagia Pierre Fort Lauderdale 205'9"Previously Miss Florida Teen USA 2004
Later Miss Bahamas Intercontinental 2010 and Miss Bahamas 2011
Georgia Kimberly Gittings Lilburn 20Top 15
Hawaii Aureana Tseu Mililani Town 255'7"Previously Miss Hawaii Teen USA 1999
Idaho Melissa Weber Boise 27Top 15
Illinois Ashley Bond Chicago 24
Indiana Courtni Hall [7] Crawfordsville [8] 20 [8] 5'3" [8] Previously Miss Indiana Teen USA 2004 [9]
Iowa Chelsea Lynn Gauger Ankeny 20
Kansas Courtney Courter Olathe 235'9"
Kentucky Maria Elizabeth Montgomery Danville 195'10"4th runner-up
Louisiana Lacey Minchew Baton Rouge 255'7"Previously Miss Teen America 2002, represented Georgia
Maine Ashley Underwood Benton 245'8"Later contestant in Survivor: Redemption Island
Maryland Gabrielle Carlson Marion Station 24
Massachusetts Alison Cronin Weymouth 21Previously Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 2005
Michigan Lindsey Tycholiz Sterling Heights 26
Minnesota Erica Nego Plymouth 24Top 15Later Miss Universe Ghana 2011
Mississippi Jessica Lauren McRaney Terry 23Previously Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2004
Missouri Stacey Smith Florissant 235'9"
Montana Misti Vogt Kalispell 235'11"
Nebraska Meagan Winings Atkinson 23Previously Miss Nebraska Teen USA 2004
Nevada Georgina Vaughan [10] Las Vegas 215'10"Previously Miss Nevada Teen USA 2006
New Hampshire Christy Dunn Laconia 26
New Jersey Kaity Rodriguez Clifton 24
New Mexico Bianca Matamoros-Koonce Albuquerque 23
New York Tracey Chang New York City 265'7"
North Carolina Kristen Dalton Wilmington 225'7"Miss USA 2009Daughter of Jeannie Boger, Miss North Carolina USA 1982
Sister of Julia Dalton, Miss North Carolina Teen USA 2008 and Miss North Carolina USA 2015
North Dakota Kelsey Erickson Grand Forks 22
Ohio Natasha Vivoda Champion 21
Oklahoma Lauren Lunday Altus 25
Oregon Sylvie Tarpinian Eugene 24
Pennsylvania Lindsey Nelsen Dallastown 215'7"
Rhode Island Alysha Castonguay Woonsocket 225'6"Previously Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 2002
Previously Miss Teen America 2003
Previously Miss Teen Galaxy 2005
South Carolina Stephanie Murray Smith Goose Creek 215'7"Top 10Later contestant in The Amazing Race 17 [11]
South Dakota Jessica Rowell Sioux Falls 225'7"
Tennessee Kristen Motil Franklin 245'9"Top 10
Texas Brooke Daniels Tomball 225'9"Top 10
Utah Laura Chukanov Salt Lake City 225'9"3rd runner-up
Vermont Brooke Werner Granville 22
Virginia Maegan Phillips Quantico 22Top 15
Washington Tara Turnure Seattle 23Sister of Tracy Turnure, Miss Washington USA 2010
West Virginia Jessi Pierson Milton 215'7"Top 10Miss Photogenic
Wisconsin Alexandra Wehrley Pewaukee 215'8"Later worked as a television host
Wyoming Cynthia Pate Casper 22Miss Congeniality

Controversy

During the 2009 Miss USA pageant, Miss California Carrie Prejean, was asked by openly gay pageant judge, Perez Hilton, whether she believed every state should legalize same-sex marriage. She responded that she did not. After the pageant Hilton made negative comments about the contestant and told ABC News: "She lost it because of that question. She was definitely the front-runner before that," [12] leading some to believe that the answer directly had caused her to lose the competition. [13] Prejean stated that Miss California USA officials had pressured her to apologize for her statement and "not talk" about her Christian faith. [14]

Several politicians and commentators assailed Hilton and defended Prejean for honestly stating her personal beliefs. [15] [16] [17]

Following the pageant, Prejean hired a Christian public relations firm, [15] and appeared in a television advertisement by the National Organization for Marriage. [18] However, on June 10, 2009, Prejean again stated that her question caused her to lose her title when she learned she was fired by Donald Trump. Miss California USA officials state that her answer had nothing to do with her termination, citing continued breach of her contract instead.

New crown

In keeping with co-owner NBC Universal's "Green is Universal" environmental initiative, the Miss Universe Organization announced that Diamond Nexus Labs would become the official jewelry sponsor for the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants. DNL 's man-made gemstones are "all synthesized in clean labs using environmentally friendly processes". Diamond Nexus Labs will create a custom-designed crown for Miss USA 2009, as well as for the Miss Universe and Miss Teen USA pageants later this year. [19]

Notes

  1. ↑ Ages at the time of the pageant

Related Research Articles

Miss Teen USA is a beauty pageant that has been run since 1983 by the Miss Universe Organization for girls aged 14–19 years old as of January 1st of the competition year. They must be US citizens, and cannot have been married, pregnant, or have children. Unlike its sister pageants Miss Universe, which currently broadcasts on JKN18 and like its sister pageant Miss USA, it is televised on The CW television network starting in 2024, after being streamed online for several years. The Miss Universe Organization previously operated Miss Teen USA, as well as Miss USA, until 2020 when the rights to produce both pageants were licensed to Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart prior to her suspension in October 2022, thus returning the said pageants to the Miss Universe Organization. The parent company of all three pageants and the Miss Universe organization remains the same under the licensing agreement: JKN Metaverse Inc., a subsidiary of JKN Global Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shanna Moakler</span> American actress and model (born 1975)

Shanna Lynn Moakler is an American actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She was the winner of the Miss New York USA pageant in 1995 and was the first runner-up at Miss USA 1995. After winner Chelsi Smith won the Miss Universe 1995 pageant, Moakler succeeded her as Miss USA. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in December 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shandi Finnessey</span> American model (born 1978)

Shandi Ren Finnessey is an American actress, model, TV host and beauty pageant titleholder. She is best known for winning the Miss USA title, as Miss Missouri USA. She previously held the title of Miss Missouri 2002 and competed in Miss America, where she won a preliminary award. She placed as first runner-up at the Miss Universe 2004 competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tara Conner</span> American model and winner of Miss USA 2006

Tara Elizabeth Conner is an American model, television personality, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss USA 2006 and has also competed in the Miss Teen USA and Miss Universe pageants. Apart from her role as Miss USA, Conner has been employed as a model. She was a featured model on the HDNet series Bikini Destinations in 2004, posing in Lake Tahoe. She has also held the titles Miss Kentucky Teen USA 2002, Miss Kentucky County Fair 2004, and Miss Kentucky USA 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tami Farrell</span> American actress and beauty pageant titleholder

Tami Nichole Farrell is an American actress, TV host and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Oregon Teen USA 2003, Miss Teen USA 2003 and Miss California USA 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Smith</span> American model, actress and TV host

Rachel Renee Smith is an American actress, tv host, model and beauty pageant titleholder who won the Miss USA 2007 pageant and who previously had competed in the Miss Teen USA 2002 pageant. She represented the United States at Miss Universe 2007 and placed 4th Runner-Up.

Danielle Demski is an American television presenter, actress, and beauty pageant titleholder, who competed in Miss Teen USA and Miss USA.

Nicole Lamarche is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and a beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss California 2003. Competing in the Miss San Francisco Pageant in 2003, she won the title and went on to win Miss California 2003 and became the Fourth runner up to the title of Miss America 2004. She was the swimsuit winner and although she decided to wear high heels during this segment of the competition it was erroneously reported by an ESPN columnist that she competed barefoot. This is most likely due to pictures of her competing in the Miss California swimsuit segment not wearing high heels, as the contestants normally do. She earned over $26,000 in scholarships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss Teen USA 2003</span> 21st edition of the Miss Teen USA competition

Miss Teen USA 2003, the 21st Miss Teen USA pageant, was televised live from Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, California on 12 August 2003. At the conclusion of the final competition, Miss Oregon Teen USA Tami Farrell was crowned by outgoing queen Vanessa Semrow of Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss Universe 1959</span> 8th Miss Universe pageant

Miss Universe 1959 was the eighth Miss Universe pageant, held at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California, United States on 24 July 1959. This was the last year that the pageant was held in Long Beach before it moved to Miami Beach, Florida in 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss America 2008</span> 81st edition of the Miss America competition

Miss America 2008, the 81st Miss America pageant, was held on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, on Saturday, January 26, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss USA 2008</span> 57th Miss USA pageant

Miss USA 2008 was the 57th Miss USA pageant, held in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 11, 2008. At the conclusion of the final night of competition, Crystle Stewart of Texas was crowned the winner by outgoing titleholder Rachel Smith of Tennessee. Crystle represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2008 pageant, which was held in Vietnam, where she placed in the Top 10. This was also the first time in the pageant's 56-year history that two consecutive women of African Americans have been crowned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrie Prejean</span> American model and writer

Caroline Michelle Prejean Boller is an American model, former Miss California USA 2009, and Miss USA 2009 first runner-up. Prejean was stripped of her Miss California USA crown for alleged breaches of contract. Litigation between Prejean and the Miss California USA organization was settled in November 2009. Later that month, Prejean released a book relating events from her point of view.

Cassandra Jean Whitehead, also known as Cassandra Jean W. Amell, is an American actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. Jean attended Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristen Dalton (Miss USA)</span> Miss USA 2009

Kristen Jeannine Dalton-Wolfe is an American actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss USA 2009 and represented the United States at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant.

The Miss USA 2009 controversy centered on Miss California USA 2009 Carrie Prejean's answer to a question regarding same-sex marriage. On April 19, 2009, during the ceremony of Miss USA 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the five finalists were all asked about political issues such as how to fight domestic violence, whether to use taxpayer money to bail out corporations, whether to give immigrants access to health care, and whether or not the United States should donate money to the government of Afghanistan to fund its elections. Kenya Moore, Miss USA 1993, has stated that the questions were "far too political and it's divisive as well".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss USA 2010</span> Beauty pageant

Miss USA 2010 was the 59th Miss USA pageant, held at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 16, 2010 which was broadcast live on NBC. Kristen Dalton of North Carolina, crowned her successor, Rima Fakih of Michigan as Miss USA 2010 at the end of this event. This was Michigan's third Miss USA title and the first title in 17 years. Fakih became the first Arab American to win the Miss USA title. This was also the first pageant since 1986 taking place in the month of May.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss USA 2012</span> 61st Miss USA pageant

Miss USA 2012 was the 61st Miss USA pageant, held on June 3, 2012, at The AXIS in Las Vegas, Nevada and it was televised live on NBC. Alyssa Campanella of California crowned her successor Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island at the end of the event. This was Rhode Island's first Miss USA title. Culpo represented the United States at Miss Universe 2012 six months later and went on to win the Miss Universe title, becoming the eighth American to do so.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss USA 2013</span> 62nd Miss USA pageant

Miss USA 2013 was the 62nd Miss USA pageant, held on June 16, 2013 at The AXIS in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 50 states and the District of Columbia competed for the title and the pageant was televised live on NBC. Outgoing titleholder Nana Meriwether of Maryland crowned her successor Erin Brady of Connecticut at the end of the event. This was Connecticut's first ever Miss USA crown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss Teen USA 2016</span> 34th edition of the Miss Teen USA competition

Miss Teen USA 2016 was the 34th Miss Teen USA pageant, was held at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 30, 2016. The pageant was webcast on the Miss Universe website, Facebook page, and mobile app as well as on Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles via Xbox Live. It was hosted by Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan and social media star Cody Johns, while American Idol winner Nick Fradiani performed. This is the first time that the state of Nevada hosted the pageant and the first Miss Teen USA pageant held in the United States since 2007.

References

  1. ↑ "'ACCESS HOLLYWOOD' CO-HOST BILLY BUSH AND 'MY NAME IS EARL' STAR NADINE VELAZQUEZ TO HOST THE 2009 MISS USA PAGEANT LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS ON APRIL 19TH" (Press release). Miss Universe Organization. 2009-03-27.
  2. ↑ Associated Press (2009-03-09). "Miss USA pageant plans more than 2 weeks in Vegas". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-03-09.[ dead link ]
  3. 1 2 3 "Miss USA 2009". CBS News . 20 April 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  4. ↑ Ussery, Peggy (2009-02-09). "Miss Alabama USA learned confidence in pageants". Dothan Eagle. Archived from the original on 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  5. ↑ "Community". Alaska Daily News. Archived from the original on 2012-06-29.
  6. ↑ Sparks, Colleen (2008-12-09). "Desert Vista produces 2 Miss Arizona winners". The Republic. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  7. ↑ Heater, Jay (November 2, 2008). "Southmont grad crowned Miss Indiana USA". Journal Review. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 "Miss USA 2009 almanac". Pageant Update. November 13, 2015. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Miss Teen USA 2004". missteenusa.com. August 4, 2004. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  10. ↑ Leach, Robin (2009-03-04). "Photo Gallery: Miss Nevada USA is ready to play host and compete". Las Vegas Weekly. Archived from the original on 2016-01-24. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  11. ↑ Derschowitz, Jessica (2010-09-02). ""The Amazing Race" Cast Announced". CBS News. Retrieved 2010-09-03.
  12. ↑ "Gay marriage row at Miss USA show". BBC News. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  13. ↑ "Carrie Prejean Says Answer to Gay Marriage Question Cost Her Miss USA Crown". Fox News. 2009-04-20. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  14. ↑ "Carrie Prejean says she was asked to apologize for gay marriage comments, but refused". Daily News. New York. 2009-04-27.
  15. 1 2 U.S. News & World Report - "Miss California, Carrie Prejean, Signs With Top Christian Publicity Firm" Archived 2009-05-02 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ↑ Newsom Defends Miss California. NBC News. Published April 23, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Political Grapevine" segment of Special Report with Brit Hume, Fox News, August 15, 2006 (Miss California Continues to Grab Headlines)
  18. ↑ National Organization for Marriage
  19. ↑ Goetzl, David (2009-03-06). "Miss Universe Sparkles With Diamond Sponsor". Media News Daily. Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-02-07.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.