Kaliegh Garris is an American model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Teen USA 2019. Garris had previously been crowned Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2019; she is the second entrant from Connecticut to have been crowned Miss Teen USA. Between preparing for her upcoming prom and graduation and entering her freshman year Southern Connecticut State University to study nursing, the new titleholder will continue to do her Miss Teen USA duties, including press events and volunteer work.
“For the first time in a long time the crown has been placed in natural hair. It's something that people don't usually see on a regular basis or in these major pageant competitions. So, having that representation within the African American community has really opened up a lot of people’s eyes and has allowed people to see that people of color can accomplish really amazing things”, she says.