North Carolinian crowned Miss USA 2009

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North Carolinian crowned Miss USA 2009

Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton was crowned Miss USA on Sunday, April 19, 2009, at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton gets crowned Miss USA on Sunday, April 19, 2009, at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton gets her Miss USA sash from 2008 Miss USA Crystle Stewart of Texas.

Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton competes during in the swimsuit competition before being crowned the new Miss USA.

Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton waves to the crowd after being crowned Miss USA 2009.

The new Miss USA is a 22-year-old aspiring motivational speaker and entertainer from Wilmington, N.C.

Kristen Dalton edged out first runner-up Miss California USA Carrie Prejean, of San Diego, and second runner-up Miss Arizona USA Alicia-Monique Blanco, of Phoenix, to win the crown.

Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton, left, and first runner-up Miss California Carrie Prejean from San Diego.

Miss Arizona Alicia-Monique Blanco of Phoenix was the second runner-up.

Miss California Carrie Prejean gave the pageant a dash of controvery with her answer to a question about same-sex marriage as hosts Billy Bush and Nadine Velazquez listened. "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage," Prejean said. "And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there ... "

The final five Miss USA candidates await the announcement of the fourth runner-up during the 2009 Miss USA Pageant televised Sunday night on NBC.

Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton walks down the stairs during the 2009 Miss USA Pageant.

Donald Trump, whose Miss Universe Organization presents the Miss USA pageant, greets contestants, from left, Maria Elizabeth Montgomery, Kentucky; Kristen Motil, Tennessee; Laura Kirilova Chukanov, Utah; Christy Lynn Dunn, New Hampshire; and Bianca Matamoros-Koonce, New Mexico.

Contestants from the 2009 Miss USA contest rehearse before pre-taping the opening number for the pageant.

Contestants at the Saturday rehearsal for the Sunday pageant.

Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton in the evening gown competition. "Whoever knew you could win in a turquoise gown?" she said later.

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Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton gets crowned Miss USA on Sunday, April 19, 2009, at The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

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