Pageant News Bureau - Miss Teen USA 1999

Delaware does it right

Miss Delaware Teen USA, Ashley Coleman, 18, was crowned Miss Teen USA on Aug. 24, 1999, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Miss Louisiana Teen USA, Sarah Thornhill, 18, was first runner-up, and Khosi Roy, 17, Miss Maryland Teen USA, was second runner-up.

Ms. Coleman was a crowd favorite throughout the night, and the first resident of her state to win the crown.

Other finalists were Danielle Demski, 17, of Arizona and Sara Marie Dusendang, 18, of Michigan.

Other semifinalists were Lexie Kemper, 17, of Kentucky, Rachel Boston, 17, of Tennessee, Kristi Glakas, 18, of Virginia, Misty Giles, 18, of Texas, and Kristen Walthers, 18, of Nevada.

Ms. Glakas won the new Make Every Wish Come True Award. Morgan O'Murray of Colorado won the Clairol Natural Instincts Exotic Styles Award, and her good friend Morgan Maholick of New York won the Miss Congeniality Award, chosen by the contestants.

The pageant was conspicuously geared to an American teenage audience more than to a mainstream pageant crowd. Contestants wore funkier clothes than in some previous years, and fielded softer questions, with considerable giggling. Teeny bopper princess Britney Spears, a native of Louisiana, was among the featured singers, and the male vocal group 'N Sync drew even louder applause than the beauty queens.

In contrast to the previous year, the pageant went on undisturbed by outside events. In 1998, U.S. President Bill Clinton chose the exact hour of the pageant to address the nation about his marital infidelity. The contest came close to being postponed, and it wound up being broadcast a day late. This year, Clinton was vacationing with his wife in Massachusetts. It was not clear whether they were watching Miss Teen USA.

All photos courtesy
of Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

And meanwhile, back home

An estimated audience of 200 million people viewed the Miss Teen USA Pageant on television. But two girls, one in Maryland and one in Georgia, were watching with particular interest. Not so long ago, they had expected to be in the pageant.

Kristina Sisco, who gave up her crown as Miss Maryland Teen USA in June to accept a role on "As the World Turns," was cheering wildly in the final minutes. It looked as if her friend and replacement, Khosi Roy, might win it all. "I almost lost my voice," the young actress told PNB.

Ms. Roy finished the pageant as second runner-up, but Ms. Sisco was still "thrilled" for her friend. "I just wished I could be there so I could see my director's face," she said with a laugh.

Jane Kim lost her crown as Miss Georgia Teen USA in June when it was discovered that she was a citizen of South Korea, not America. She was pulling for Keely Wright, the Peach State's representative. But it was a frustrating night for Georgia.

Ms. Kim called the feeling of watching the pageant "very indescribable."

And that might describe her own position. She turned 18 on Aug. 22, and had planned to apply for U.S. citizenship immediately, hoping to qualify someday to compete for Miss USA. But people from her native country have contacted her, wanting her to try for the Miss Korea title. What's a girl to do?

Miss Teen USA 1999Shreveport, LouisianaAugust 24, 1999

Delaware does it right

All photos courtesyof Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

And meanwhile, back home

Miss Teen USA 1999
Shreveport, Louisiana
August 24, 1999

All photos courtesy
of Miss Universe L.P., LLLP