Illness for Miss North Carolina lands a Charlotte-area runner-up in her place days before the Miss USA Pageant

Up until about a week ago, the Harrisburg native was the 1st runner-up to Miss North Carolina USA Allie Dunn who was crowned at the state pageant in High Point in October of last year.

In a devastating twist of fate, Dunn fell ill just days before the Miss USA Pageant was scheduled to take place in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 5.

Exactly what is wrong is unclear at this time. A statement posted to Dunn’s Facebook and Instagram accounts reads: “Yesterday, though still very sick, she attempted to register and start the process of fittings, etc. but due to a deteriorating condition, a decision was made by her parents with the help of doctors, the Miss Universe organization and the NC state director, that it was not in her best interest to continue the competition.”

Dunn’s family is asking for “privacy during a very difficult time.”

In the midst of turmoil for Dunn, Gant was unexpectedly tapped to represent the state of North Carolina in a last-minute trip to Vegas to compete in the Miss USA Pageant.

Upon arrival last week, she shared on Instagram that she is “in prayer for @allisonrdunn” and that she will “make you and the state of NC proud.”

She is currently carrying the title (and wearing the sash, of course) in the week of preliminary events leading up to the national pageant which will air live on FOX on Sunday night.

Attempting last-minute preparation for a pageant of this magnitude has been a mad scramble for Gant.

Dresses and shoes had to be rushed in before she took off to Vegas.

Your vote can help land our very own Miss North Carolina in the Top 15 on Sunday night.

Head to vote.missusa.com and vote up to 10 times per day or tweet using the #missusa and #northcarolina hashtags. Good luck, Devin!