Miss North Carolina USA Kristen Dalton was crowned Miss USA 2009 besting 50 other beauty queens.

The live pageant was televised Sunday night from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

The 22-year-old aspiring motivational speaker and entertainer from Wilmington edged out first runner-up Miss California USA Carrie Prejean who had a YouTube moment during the question and answer portion with judge Perez Hilton.

“It feels really natural,” Dalton said of her win. “I’ve worked to be here and this has been my lifelong dream and it’s finally here. And whoever knew you could win in a turquoise gown?”

Here are the results of the Miss USA 2009 pageant:

Miss USA 2009:
NORTH CAROLINA, Kristen Dalton

1st Runner-up: CALIFORNIA
2nd Runner-up: ARIZONA
3rd Runner-up: UTAH
4th Runner-up: KENTUCKY

Top 10:

NORTH CAROLINA
ARKANSAS
TEXAS
WEST VIRGINIA
TENNESSEE

Top 15:

CONNECTICUT
IDAHO
GEORGIA
MINNESOTA
TEXAS

Special Awards:

Miss Congeniality: WYOMING
Miss Photogenic: WEST VIRGINIA