Miss Teen USA 2009, the 27th Miss Teen USA pageant, was held at the Imperial Ballroom, Atlantis Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas on July 31, 2009. For the first time since 1986, the Miss Teen USA pageant was held earlier than the Miss Universe pageant. Miss Teen USA 2008, Stevi Perry of Arkansas, crowned Stormi Henley of Tennessee as her successor.
For the first time, the event was webcast live over the Internet via Ustream (on www.missteenusa.com). Ed Fields and Stevi Perry hosted the presentation show, where Seth Goldman and Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart hosted the final show. Pop rock band Honor Society and Canadian's pop singer, songwriter Leah Renee performed during the two hours live event.
Tennessee won its second Miss Teen USA, following Shelly Moore, Miss Teen USA 1997. Tennessee also places in the top five for the sixth time. Tennessee now is among the two states that has more than one Miss Teen USA winner, the other being Oregon (Mindy Duncan (1988), Bridgette Wilson (1990), and Tami Farrell (2003.)
Georgia places 1st runner-up for the third time. Georgia has never won the title, but has placed in the semi-finals fifteen times and the top five eight times.
California places the third highest place in the pageant's history. Jennifer Morgan placed first-runner up in 2002, and Shauna Gambill won in 1994.
Maryland places third runner-up in the pageant for the third time, followed by Michelle Attai (2002) and Amanda Williams (2004). Maryland's highest recorded placement was in 1999 when Khosi Roy placed second runner-up.
Louisiana now has every placement in the top five, Brittany Guidry being the fourth runner-up in 2009, Lindsey Evans being the third runner-up in 2008 (later dethroned on October 21, 2008 for theft and drug possession) Bobbie Brown in 1987 and Amy Pieche in 1988 being the second-runners up, Sarah Thornhill being the first-runner up in 1999, and Shelley Hennig being the winner in 2004.
Arkansas places for the fourth time in pageant history, and the first time consecutively, following Stevi Perry, who won Miss Teen USA 2008 and was giving up her title that night.
Kentucky places for the tenth time, and the second time in the top fifteen.
Missouri places for the first time since 2004, and the ninth time in history.
Nevada places for the first time since 2004.
Ohio places for the third time in pageant history. They have not placed since Allie LaForce won Miss Teen USA 2005.
Rhode Island places for the sixth time; however; they have never made the top five.
Utah paces for the second time in pageant history, their only other placement being Loni Sordan at Miss Teen USA 1995.
Washington places for the seventh time in pageant history.
Wyoming places for the fourth time in pageant history.
Texas did not place for fifth consecutive year, their last placement was in 2004.
Hawaii picks up their second Miss Congeniality title, and Iowa picks up their first special award.
The top fifteen was announced during the finals show and went on to compete in the swimsuit competition, and previous to that, the group Honor Society played two songs. Following that, Leah Renee sang Imaginary Boyfriend and Insanity from her album Storybook, later the top fifteen went on to compete in the evening gown. After the evening gown competition, Seth Goldman interviewed with the girls on backstage. The top five were announced, and they were asked questions about themselves and questions judges had prepared for them. Each delegate was allowed thirty seconds to answer the question. The judges were allowed one last look at the delegates, and Stevi Perry took her final walk as Miss Teen USA. Then, the runners-up and the winner was announced.
(not at this link) Diamond Nexus Labs created a new crown for Miss Teen USA 2009, replacing the Milkimoto crown that has been worn since 2002.
The Miss Teen USA 2009 delegates were:
1 Age at the time of the Miss Teen USA pageant
Duane Gazi - Director of Scoutingand Development, Trump Model Management.
Eric McLendon - Actor and Realtor, The Corcoran Group.
Eva Chen - Beauty and Health Editor, Teen Vogue.
Gillian Sheldon Heckendorf - Managing Editor, Momlogic.com.
Heather Kerzner - Kerzner International, Inc.
John Shea - Commercial Agent, Frontier Booking, Inc.
Mark Turner - Commercial Agent, Abrams Artists.
Rhona Graff - Vice President and Assistant to the President, Trump Organization.
