Katie Blair crowned 24th Miss Teen USA, joins Vanessa Minnillo, Charlotte Lopez-Ayanna, Bridgette Wilson and Kelly Hu in exclusive sorority.

After being adorned with the Mikimoto crown that consists of 318 diamonds and 141 pearls Katie Blair, the 18-year-old beauty from Montana, had a hard time verbalizing her emotions, words cannot describe it, it’s more than I ever expected it to be.”

The star studded panel of judges at the Palm Springs Convention Center awarded Blair with the $100,000 crown after the first runner-up, Melissa Lingafelt of North Carolina, was announced.

Blair expressed, “I want to further my career in the fashion industry and continue to do work with disabled children.” As a result of her new title Blair’s winnings include a year of living in Trump Tower, a scholarship to New York School of Film and Television, a wardrobe and a Mikimoto tiara.

Shaun Robinson of “Access Hollywood” and Damien Fahey of MTV’s “TRL” hosted this years event and guided the teens through the three judged categories: swimwear, evening gown and interview.

Ruth Zakarian of New York won the initial Miss Teen USA pageant in 1983. Zakarian later went on to act in “The Young and the Restless.”

Kelly Hu, the winner in 1985 appeared in the hit show “21 Jump Street” with Johnny Depp, “Melrose Place”, “CSI: New York” and has several film projects in progress.

1990’s winner, Bridgette Wilson, has appeared in “CSI: Miami”, The Wedding Planner, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Billy Madison, Nixon. She is currently married to tennis star Pete Sampras.

The 1993 Miss Teen USA, Charlotte Lopez-Ayanna has appeared in HBO’s “Entourage”, Kate & Leopold and alongside Denzel Washington in Training Day.

Vanessa Minnillo, 1998’s winner has hosted MTV’s “TRL” and reported for “Entertainment Tonight.” Perhaps she is best known right now for her relationship with Nick Lachey.