Miss Texas Teen Karlie Hay Crowned Miss Teen USA 2016

By
Miss Universe Organization

Congratulations to Miss Texas Teen Karlie Hay!

The 18-year-old beat out 50 other contestants to win the title of Miss Teen USA 2016 on Saturday. 


WATCH: Miss District of Columbia Deshauna Barber Crowned Miss USA 2016!

The event, held at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, was hosted by former Miss USA Olivia and Vine star Cody Johns and live streamed on the organization's website. 

Hay performed well in all aspects of the competition, including personality, evening wear and activewear.

The recent Tomball High School graduate also stunned in a floor-length yellow gown, reminiscent of Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

Miss Universe Organization

This was the first year the competition included an activewear portion, replacing the former swimsuit competition. The contestants wore Tapout X Goldsheep Activewear, the official training apparel of the WWE. 

In addition to Hay's win, Miss Alabama Erin Snow was crowned photogenic winner, and Miss Rhode Island Malia Cruz won Miss Congeniality.

Total Divas star Eva Marie was on the competition's judging panel, along with former Miss Teen USA Hilary Cruz, Style Studio founder Keylee Sanders, former Miss USA Lu Parker and musician Savannah Keyes. 

Miss Universe Organization


NEWS: Steve Harvey Jokes About Miss USA 2016 Results, Congratulates Miss District of Columbia

The judges jokingly stalled in announcing Hay's name as the winner as a reference to Steve Harvey's infamous Miss Universe flub.

Hay, who plans to attend Texas A&M University, hopes to use her newfound fame to serve as an advocate of the effects of alcoholism and drug abuse.

According to her bio on the Miss Teen USA website, Hay's "own childhood experiences have engendered great empathy for children growing up in unstable environments and for the families of alcoholics."

The Texas native also enjoys being a regular teen, serving as Varsity cheer captain and yearbook editor and photographer at her high school.

WATCH: Miss District of Columbia Deshauna Barber Crowned Miss USA 2016

See former Miss USA Shanna Moakler's reaction to Harvey's mistake-heard-around-the-world in the video below.