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Indian American teen Kiran Reddy wins Miss Georgia Teen USA
Coffee County valedictorian will represent Georgia at the Miss Teen USA pageant in August.
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Ankita Baidya - Wed, 22, Jul 2026
- 04:51 EDT
- 26
Kiran Reddy, an Indian-origin teen from Coffee County, made history as the first Indian American crowned Miss Georgia Teen USA. / Instagram/@misskiranreddy
An Indian-origin teenager from Georgia has become the first Indian American to win the Miss Georgia Teen USA title. Kiran Reddy, 18, valedictorian of the Coffee High School Class of 2026, was crowned Miss Georgia Teen USA on June 30.
Reddy expressed the significance of the achievement took time to sink in.
Her victory came after several years of competing in the pageant. Reddy finished first runner-up and second runner-up in her previous two attempts and also held the preliminary Miss Georgia South Teen USA title.
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This year's competition followed a revised format after the national organization eliminated traditional in-person pageants in 16 states, including Georgia. Instead, contestants advanced through an open casting process that included public voting rounds and a final video submission evaluated by former Miss USA titleholders.
"I am leaving this weekend with a grateful heart & peace of mind knowing I represented the best version of myself, on & off of stage," Reddy wrote on her Instagram handle. She submitted walking videos and a personal introduction video as part of the selection process, adding that she believes she is the first contestant from Coffee County to win the state title.
Reddy said her interest in medicine began during childhood while accompanying her father, Dr. Reddy, at his medical practice.
"Growing up in his office, I fell in love with just seeing him interact with the patients," she expressed.
She currently volunteers in the labor and delivery nursery at Coffee Regional Medical Center. This fall, she will attend the University of Georgia, where she plans to major in biological sciences on a pre-med track with the goal of pursuing a career in obstetrics and gynecology or women's health.
In addition to her academic achievements, Reddy has participated in several community service initiatives. These include reading to elementary school students, hosting events for senior citizens and organizing a charity pageant that raised $3,000 for Alzheimer's awareness.
Reddy is scheduled to represent Georgia at the Miss Teen USA pageant on Aug. 26 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. The competition, marking the pageant's 75th edition, will air on The CW network.
If she wins the national title, Reddy would advance to the inaugural Miss Teen Universe competition, expected to be held in Cambodia later this year.
Reflecting on her historic achievement, Reddy said she hopes it encourages more young women from similar backgrounds to participate in pageants.
"It is very rare for girls like me to do pageants in itself," she said, adding that she hopes her journey inspires others to "go out of their comfort zone and try new things."
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