Filipino-American Ki'ilani Arruda opened up about how she felt upon being crowned as Miss Teen USA 2020.

"When I was crowned I was in pure shock and disbelief just for getting where I was, even I was standing at the top 2, because Miss Teen USA is something that so many girls stive to achieve and it is such a great accomplishment," she said in an interview with Dyan Castillejo for ABS-CBN News.

She added, "Everyone was so beautiful and was so accomplished so being there in the top 2, I am super grateful."

Ki'ilani was born and raised in Hawaii. Her mother is a Filipino.

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According to the beauty queen, she loves Filipino dishes like pork adobo, halo-halo, and lumpia.

She also shared that she is a big fan of Sarah Geronimo.

"I have been listening to some music. Sarah Geronimo, I just love her her song 'Tala' is one of my favorite songs," she relayed.

When it comes to her advocacy, the Fil-Am beauty queen relayed that she wants to raise awareness about autism.

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"My little brother has autism and he is also non-verbal so it is something that I am interested and passionate about," she said.

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Once the pandemic is over, Ki'ilani hopes to visit the Philippines and meet her beauty queen idol Catriona Gray.