Kaliegh Garris, Miss Teen USA 2019
Born to a Caucasian mother and a black father, Garris confesses to having straightened her hair in all the previous competitions she has been involved in, including the National American Miss circuit, Miss American Coed system, Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen competition and Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2019. “I looked up to my mom a lot and she had straight blonde hair. I really wanted to embody the same characteristics…[But] I realized I can do that while being myself and still be powerful,” she said. She was crowned sporting her natural curls, something that has been an inspiration to girls around the world.
