The 17-year-old Kansas City native beat the other top five finalists including Miss Oregon Vanessa Matheson, Miss Nevada Alexis Smith, Miss California Jaanu Patel and Miss Indiana Paige Robinson.
- July 31, 2017
AceShowbiz -
The new Miss Teen USA was crowned on Saturday, July 29. Miss Missouri Sophia Dominguez-Heithoff edged out 50 other contestants to take the crown at the annual pageant show, which was hosted by Heidi Powell and E! News' Erin Lim.
At the ceremony which took place at the Phoenix Symphony Hall in Phoenix, Ariz., the 51 contestants were narrowed down to 15, who went on to compete in the athletic wear category as well as evening gown. Only five of them continued to the final interviews, and they included Dominguez-Heithoff, Miss Oregon Vanessa Matheson, Miss Nevada Alexis Smith, Miss California Jaanu Patel and Miss Indiana Paige Robinson.
During the Q&A portion, Dominguez-Heithoff won the judges' favor by explaining that during her Girl Scouts project she lobbied the Missouri legislature to pass a law to help adults with developmental disabilities.
The Kansas City native, who is slated to attend the University of Kansas, takes over the crown from last year's winner Karlie Hay.
This is the moment dreams are made of. #MissTeenUSA pic.twitter.com/AL2bqwHXTs
— MISS TEEN USA (@MissTeenUSA) July 30, 2017
