Everyone’s A Beauty Queen: Miss America President Uplifts Miss Teen America Contestants

Miss Teen America 2024: Not crowned but everyone’s a queen according to Miss USA president as the winner gets crowned in Los Angeles. Before Addie Carver of Mississippi was named Miss Teen USA 2024, Miss USA President and CEO Laylah Rose remarked that the runner-ups would still be considered queens.

This year’s Miss Teen USA pageant was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Thursday, August 1. The event showcased contestants from across the country, culminating in the crowning of a new titleholder in a glamorous setting.

Laylah Rose uplifts the young beauty pageant contestants

Rose, 45, was one of the attendees who walked the red carpet and conversed with PEOPLE prior to the event.

“When they wake up tomorrow, they’re still going to be a queen,” Rose tells PEOPLE of the contestants who will be going home without a crown. “So they came here as a queen and they’ll leave here as a queen.”

Rose mentioned that their home states will continue to support them, and emphasized their ongoing responsibility to be present for their fellow contestants and the next group of participants for 2025.

“It’s such a great sisterhood. I love watching it,” Rose continues. “I’ve been a part of it, and it’s just going to get stronger.” She added.

Miss Teen USA 2024 gets crowned months after her 2023 predecessor resigned

This year’s titleholder was revealed months after Umasofia Srivastava, the former Miss Teen USA 2023, relinquished her crown following Noelia Voigt’s resignation from Miss USA. Srivastava stated on social media that her “personal values no longer fully align with the direction of the organization” at that time.

She added that she was “grateful for all the support from my family, my state directors, my sister queens, and the fans who have cheered me on since I won my state title.”

After Srivastava gave up her crown, Miss New York Teen USA Stephanie Skinner, the first runner-up, was offered the title but declined. She told PEOPLE, “I worked so hard and sacrificed so much for this goal to become Miss Teen USA. Although this title was a dream of mine, I believe one thing I will never give up is my character.”

Following Voigt’s resignation, Savannah Gankiewicz was crowned Miss USA 2023. Gankiewicz, 28, also attended the Miss Teen USA 2024 pageant and spoke with PEOPLE on the red carpet. She advised the contestants to “have fun” before they went on stage.

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