Miss Teen USA 2024: The Winner Is...
From the network that brought us Miss Mystic Falls, The CW on Thursday presented the 2024 Miss Teen USA Pageant, a similar contest of poise, cunning and (presumably) compulsion.
This year's ceremony was presented by former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay and E! News host Justin Sylvester, the latter of whom declared, "You could cut the tension with a knife!" as all 51 contestants gathered on stage in (gasp!) matching prom dresses. The whole concept gave us fond memories of Brenda and Kelly's iconic dress-off on Beverly Hills, 90210. Or Peter and Lois' equally iconic dress-off on Family Guy, if that's more your speed.
The two-hour broadcast began with a dramatic introductory parade, giving each of the contestants a little moment to shine before quickly snuffing out 31 of their hopes and dreams. The Top 20 proceeded to the activewear portion of the competition, which made Sylvester feel "jealous and inspired at the same time," followed by another dramatic live elimination. It was definitely giving America's Top Model in those moments, and now we're sitting here wondering how this pageant hasn't always aired on The CW.
The Top 10 shifted into full-blown Disney Princess mode for the evening gown portion of the competition, leading to the reveal of the Top 5: Olivia Travis (West Virginia), Townsend Blackwell (Tennessee), Ava Colindres (Georgia), Rachael McLaen (Arizona) and Addie Carver (Mississippi).
All that stood between them and the crown was the all-important question round, after which the final results rolled out...
FIFTH PLACE | Olivia Travis (Miss Teen West Virginia)
FOURTH PLACE | Townsend Blackwell (Miss Teen Tennessee)
THIRD PLACE | Rachael McLaen (Miss Teen Arizona)
SECOND PLACE | Ava Colindres (Miss Teen Georgia)
That left Addie Carver (Miss Teen Mississippi) as the winner of Miss Teen USA 2024. Long may she reign!
Famous names on the official selection committee included Francia Raisa (grown-ish, How I Met Your Father), professional dancer Rylee Arnold, influencer Alyssa Carson, 2019 Miss Teen USA winner Kaliegh Garris, and 2021 Miss World America winner-turned-model Shree Saini.
Your thoughts on this year's winner? The Miss Teen USA Pageant in general? Whatever's on your mind, drop it in a comment below.