Miss Teen USA credits dance for saving her life after losing father on 13th birthday

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) - Miss Teen USA is making headlines not only for winning the national title but for her work in dance and helping others with their mental health.

Addie Carver said being crowned Miss Teen USA in August has been a dream come true.

“It’s been something that I’ve been working so hard for a very long time,” Carver said. “So, living out this dream that I’ve had since I was a little girl just means the world.”

The 17-year-old Mississippi native also said she is using the tragic loss of a loved one to empower and motivate others.

“My Dad passed away on my 13th birthday, which a lot of people do not know. That was just not an easy time for me by any means, but I’m so glad that I had dance to lean on,” Carver said.

Carver became the first Mississippi resident to take home the Miss USA title in 37 years.

“I’m actually the first Miss Teen USA from Mississippi since 1987 so that alone felt like I made a little bit of history,” she said. “It’s a close-knit community, and that’s what I really love about it. They recently named a day after me at my homecoming ceremonies.”

Carver has started her own social media company and is a dance teacher and choreographer.

She teaches dance three to four nights a week and started a Dance to Empower group.

“Dance knows no age, no background, and no race, and more than anything, dance can save a life just like it saved mine. So that’s a big message I want to share this year,” Carver said.

Mental health is also a focus for Carver. As Miss Teen USA, she hopes to use Dance to Empower to help others who are struggling as she did after her father’s death.

“Even as a normal high school teenage girl I go through struggles every day whether it’s with my academics or also as a competitive dancer,” she said. “Sometimes you just don’t have a good day, and that is totally OK. That’s really what I want to focus on this year.”

This is Carver’s senior year in high school. She is making plans for college and her future career.

“I know it’s not going to be an easy year, but it’s going to be just so much fun getting to live out my senior year while also being Miss Teen USA. What an opportunity,” she said.

Carver plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi while studying marketing.

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