Kaliegh Garris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kaliegh Garris
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Kaliegh Garris in 2019
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| Born | August 21, 2000 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
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| Education | Southern Connecticut State University |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Title | Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2019 Miss Teen USA 2019 |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Major competition(s) |
Miss Teen USA 2019 (Winner) |
Kaliegh Garris (born August 21, 2000) is an American TV host, model, and beauty queen. She is best known for winning the Miss Teen USA 2019 title. Before this, Kaliegh was crowned Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2019. She is the second person from Connecticut to win Miss Teen USA. The first was Logan West in Miss Teen USA 2012.
In 2019, Kaliegh's win was special. It was the first year that all five major beauty pageants were won by mixed or Black women. Other winners included Toni-Ann Singh (Miss World), Zozibini Tunzi (Miss Universe), Nia Franklin (Miss America), and Cheslie Kryst (Miss USA).
About Kaliegh Garris
Her Early Life
Kaliegh Garris was born on August 21, 2000, in New Haven, Connecticut. She has a mixed background; her father is African American, and her mother is white. Before becoming Miss Teen USA, Kaliegh was a student at Joseph A. Foran High School in Milford, Connecticut. She also studied theatre at the ACES Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven.
Kaliegh has been a competitive dancer for many years. She trained in different styles like contemporary, jazz, pointe, hip hop, and tap. She also started an organization called "We Are People 1st." This group helps people with disabilities. Kaliegh started it because her older sister has multiple disabilities. The Connecticut Department of Developmental Services has recognized Kaliegh for her important work.
After high school, Kaliegh went to Southern Connecticut State University. She studied communications there. She also volunteered at Yale New Haven Hospital. In 2022, Kaliegh moved to Arkansas State University. She finished her college studies through their online honors program. In 2024, she graduated with high honors, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.
Pageant Journey
Kaliegh began her journey in beauty pageants as a teenager. She competed in the National American Miss events. She also took part in the Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen competition. In 2019, she joined the Miss Universe Organization. She competed in Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2019 and won on her first try.
As Miss Connecticut Teen USA, Kaliegh earned the chance to compete for Miss Teen USA 2019. The competition took place in Reno, Nevada. She competed in the finals on April 28, 2019, at the Grand Sierra Resort. The previous winner, Hailey Colborn, crowned Kaliegh as the new Miss Teen USA. Kaliegh won over Caitlyn Vogel of North Dakota, who was the first runner-up. This made Kaliegh the second person from Connecticut to win Miss Teen USA. Logan West was the first, winning in Miss Teen USA 2012.
After her win, Kaliegh received national attention. This was because she wore her natural afro-textured hair during the competition. Kaliegh's reign as Miss Teen USA was supposed to end in spring 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she became the longest-reigning Miss Teen USA. She passed Allison Brown's record of 546 days on October 26, 2020. Kaliegh ended her reign on November 7, 2020. She crowned [[Kiʻilani Arruda]] as Miss Teen USA 2020 at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
