Thaindian News

Kristen Dalton, Miss North Carolina 2009 has been crowned Miss USA 2009 in a glittering ceremony at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Miss California USA Carrie Prejean of San Diego was judged firt runner up and Miss Arizona USA Alicia-Minique Blanco of Phoenix was second runner up.

This is not the first crown for the Dalton family of Wilmington, North Carolina. Her mother was Miss North Carolina USA in 1982 and her sister was Miss North Carolina Teen USA in 2008. Kristen is a blue-eyed blond who studied psychology and Spanish at the East Carolina University and she is a motivational speaker. On her winning the crown she said, “It feels really natural. I’ve worked so be here and this has been my lifelong dream and it’s finally here. And whoever knew you could win in a turquoise gown?”

The fifty participating beauties were judged on their performance in swimsuit and evening gowns and their responses to questions asked by the judges on-stage. But unlike the Miss America pageant, Miss USA has no talent round although according to the press release from the Miss USA organization, Dalton is a talented singer and dancer.

The top 15 contestants sashayed down the stage in white string bikinis designed by Jessica Simpson’s swim-wear line as rocker Kevin Rudolf performed “Let it Rock”. The Veronicas performed their hit single “Untouched” as the top 10 girls walked the ramp in their glittering evening gowns. Dalton wore a blue Grecian gown that stood out from a number of white gowns worn by other contestants. As the Miss USA she gets a New York apartment for a year, public relations team, a two-year scholarship at the New York Film Academy and an undisclosed salary.She will also represent USA in the Miss Universe 2009 pageant.