Through a series of tough questions, Miss America 1999 Nicole Johnson (R) and A.J. McLean test how well each contestant can think on her feet.

Attitude was the name of the game at the 2000 Miss United States Teen Competition held at the Hard Rock Live Theater this past July 22nd in Orlando, Florida. A motorcycle sped onto the stage carrying ?Bad to the Bone? A.J. McLean, a.k.a. ?Johnny No Name,? of the internationally famous Backstreet Boys. Fifty-six totally rad teenage girls rushed out for the awesomely choreographed opening number. Hip, solid-red and zebra-striped tops with black mini skirts and black, knee-high, go-go boots let the revved-up audience know what this teen pageant had: attitude! Besides 56 beautiful and intelligent girls, the audience had plenty to cheer about with the sensational line up of music and TV stars excited to perform with plenty of attitude.

The 56 delegates from all over the United States had a fun-packed week in sunny Orlando, Florida. The week kicked off with a visit to Universal Studio?s new theme park, Islands of Adventure. The girls stayed busy around the clock with rehearsals, public appearances at Winter Park Village, and a visit to Florida Children?s Hospital. Most would agree that the highlight of the week?s events was the Venus Edge Fashion Show Concert held at the Waterfall Stage in Universal Studio?s City Walk. The event brought attention throughout the resort area and to the 5,000 attendees. The event, hosted by Miss United States Teen ?99 Jill Nicholson and Miss United States Teen ?98 Carrie Stroup, featured musical performances by teen singing-sensation Christian Davis and girl group, Babeegirl. (Preliminary emcees included Miss America ?87 Kellye Cash & Dana Rosengard.) The delegates modeled the swimsuit of their choice, and the Swimsuit Award was presented to Miss South Carolina Teen Hannah Grooms.

After winning the title of Miss United States Teen 2000, Starla Smith comes face to face withThe Backstreet Boys' "Howie D." who served as one of the judges.

After a week of anticipation, the contestants were pumped into high gear as the final night of competition began. The opening-number music video, which included motorcycles and cop chases, 56 anxious delegates, Miss 1999 United States Teen Jill Nicholson, and A.J. McLean, dynamically ended with the audience jumping to their feet. A.J.?s co-host and Miss America 1999 Nicole Johnson joined the stage to announce the Top 10 finalists which were determined through a preliminary night of competition and a five-minute panel interview.

The finalists were: Alabama Teen Starla Smith, South Texas Teen Melanie Harborth, South Carolina Teen Hanna Grooms, Louisiana Teen Ashley Carter, Houston Teen Lindsey Harvey, Atlanta Teen Brandy Drake, Mississippi Teen Finee Ramagos, Arkansas Teen Jessica Furrer, Virginia Teen Tiffany Haas, and Oregon Teen Stevie Ficker.

Hot new teen artist, Christian Davis, performed Body Rockin? Time and Angel from his first CD. The first phase of final competition was the Fashion Competition which accounted for 25% of the overall score. This part of the competition was the fun part of the competition. It gave the contestants the opportunity to show off their flare for the cutting edge of fashion. Funky hair, clunky shoes, go-go boots, backless tops, cropped pants, cowboy hats, and lots of animal prints were modeled, as the delegates took control of the stage with attitude!

The entertainment continued as Orlando?s girl group, Babeegirl, performed selections from their first CD. Next, the finalists were ready to compete in the Swimsuit Competition which also accounted for 25% of the overall score. The competition continued as did the entertainment. The Top 10 graced the stage once again to model their elegant eveningwear as Johnny No Name performed the hit ballad Back At One.

As if winning the Miss United States Teen title weren't enough, Starla is serenaded by A.J.

The finalists came out one last time in their evening gowns, and the celebrity judging panel, which included The Backstreet Boy?s Howie D., Miss United States ?95 Katy Johnson (also a model and columnist for Pageantry magazine), Harlem Globetrotter Curley Neal, vocalist Rita Valente, local radio deejay Kid Cruz, Zoraya Suarez (Johnson and Wales University?s communication director), Miss United States Teen ?94 Courtney Clark, musical host and Producer Katidia Coronado, Jeff Mullins (manager of 3Deep), and musician Tony Battaglia, announced their decision for the Top Five finalists. They included Oregon Teen Stevie Ficker, South Carolina Teen Hannah Grooms, Arkansas Teen Jessica Furrer, Alabama Teen Starla Smith, and Louisiana Teen Ashley Carter.

Star power continued on the Hard Rock Live stage, as 3Deep (whose members include Joshua Morrow of the daytime drama The Young and The Restless, Eddie Cibrian of Third Watch, and C.J. Huyer of When Animals Attack Part 16) gave the delegates and audience a preview of their upcoming American debut, singing Into You. Nicole and A.J. brought out the Top Five finalists, dressed in their choice of trendy design, to the stage once again for a bonus round. Each delegate had 45 seconds to answer a number of questions about herself and her platform for the possibility of earning up to five bonus points.

Suspense filled the theater, as all of the delegates joined the Top Five finalists on stage in their evening gowns. Special awards were given: Spirit to Virginia Teen Tiffany Haas, Teen Volunteerism to Missouri Teen Danielle Roemer, Photogenic to Atlanta Teen Brandy Drake, Internet Choice to Illinois Teen Karyn Stoutenburg, and Contestants? Choice to Oregon Teen Stevie Ficker.

Nicole and A.J. opened the envelope and announced the winners: 4th Runner-up Ashley Carter (Louisiana Teen), 3rd Runner-up Jessica Furrer (Arkansas Teen), 2nd Runner-up Hannah Grooms (South Carolina Teen), and 1st Runner-up Stevie Ficker (Oregon Teen). And the new Miss 2000 United States Teen is Starla Smith, hailing from Alabama. A.J. congratulated and serenaded Starla with Hey Mr. D.J., and the evening ended just as it began: with attitude.

Upon winning the pageant, Starla received a congratulatory hug from host A.J. McLean of The Backstreet Boys.

The competition was followed with a reception where guests had the opportunity to meet the delegates as well as the evening?s entertainers. The most exciting news for all of the delegates, however, was being awarded with a $30,000 scholarship to Johnson and Wales University. Starla Smith displayed excitement over winning a $40,000 scholarship to Johnson and Wales University, a $10,000 cash college scholarship, and a fabulous selection of prizes. Starla will represent the United States next year with teenagers from all over the world at the Miss Teen International Competition.

Following her crowning, Starla went on a three-week tour, which included photo sessions, appearances, a five-day trip to Aruba, and a one-week trip to Los Angeles to meet with the Garis Agency. Starla will spend the next year traveling around the United States speaking about her platform ?Coping with Cancer.? She feels very strongly about cancer issues and awareness after losing her father to colon cancer during her senior year of high school. In addition, Starla is very involved with the Shriner?s Hospital, Children?s Miracle Network, and the Special Olympics. She is currently attending George C. Wallace State College, majoring in Business, and plans to become a successful CPA. However, Starla says that since becoming Miss United States Teen, she wouldn?t mind becoming a model or actress or just becoming a big star!