Returning back for another appearance on thePageantGuy.com is guest blogger and Miss Oklahoma USA 2010, Morgan Woolard. Based on her own experience competing in pageants, Morgan again offers her personal insight in a video series addressing pageantry’s tough issues.
In this video — drawing on her experience preparing to compete at Miss USA — Morgan Woolard covers the topic “How to Mentally Prepare for a Pageant” by using these key tips:
"...my life is over. But I didn't know that my life was just beginning. And it was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through, but it's also one of the best things I've ever gone through. I learned so much about life, myself, and my future. And everything since then has blossomed into this beautiful fairy tale."
Just over a week ago, I had the opportunity to meet one of the most controversial Miss USA's in recent pageant history. Here's how it began:
Me: "Nice to meet you Tara, I'm Will and I'd like to interview you for my blog thePageantGuy.com."
Tara: "Are you nice?"
I immediately laughed and explained that I'd love for her to tell her life changing story...her rise to the top of pageant world, her public battles with addiction, and how she is positively impacting lives today.
If you don't know the Tara Conner story, I can tell you that it is NOT the "small town girl makes it big time, goes to New York City, and gets busted partying" story. It's the story of a woman who, at early age, secretly struggled with addiction, abuse, and the loss of a family member. Long before she was crowned Miss USA 2006, Tara was already spiraling down the path of self-destruction...powerless over her addiction, living an unmanageable life. It wasn't until Tara won the coveted Miss USA title that her struggles became publicly known. Eight months into her reign, after testing positive for cocaine, Tara was in danger of being stripped of her title until Donald Trump (who lost his brother Fred to alcoholism) gave her a second chance. More importantly, it was a second chance at life. Tara checked into the Caron Treatment Center -- whom she is currently a spokesperson -- and has now been sober for 5 years.
I don't think that I ever answered Tara's question, "Are you nice?" but I understand why she asked. Sometimes people THINK they know the whole story about who you are and what you've experienced, and in the case of Tara, will villainize you based on what you've read or seen on television. To answer your question Tara, "I'm nice sometimes 🙂 and thank you for sharing YOUR story."
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to return back to Las Vegas to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Miss Nevada USA and Miss Nevada Teen USA 2012 pageant as well as provide a live Twitter photofeed from backstage during the final show.
Just moments after being crowned the new Miss Nevada USA 2012, Jade Kelsell, shared her thoughts winning the pageant.
Be sure to follow Jade's year as Miss Nevada USA 2012 on Twitter at: @RealMissNVusa
Special thanks to Zac Grimaldo for video and photography.
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to return back to Las Vegas to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Miss Nevada USA and Miss Nevada Teen USA 2012 pageant as well as provide a live Twitter photofeed from backstage during the final show.
Just moments after being crowned the new Miss Nevada Teen USA 2012, Katie Eklund, shared her thoughts winning the pageant.
Be sure to follow Katie's year as Miss Nevada Teen USA 2012 on Twitter at: @RealMissNVTeen
Special thanks to Zac Grimaldo for video and photography.
Last summer, I sat down to speak with Miss Alabama USA 2011, Madeline Mitchell before she went on to place 2nd runner up at the Miss USA 2011 pageant. During the interview, Madeline shares her personal experience of the tragic tornado that changed and took the lives of so many in Alabama last April.
Today as Tuscaloosa and the people of Alabama rebuild their communities and start anew, old winning traditions continue -- University of Alabama's National Championship is a prime example -- and new ones will begin as the Miss Alabama USA 2012 pageant will crown it's newest titleholders!
Be sure to catch the Miss Alabama USA 2012 pageant on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center in Montgomery, AL. Best of luck to all of the contestants and to the RPM Productions staff!
Kendall Morris in her own words: "I always enjoyed watching the pageant, and I sat in the audience four times just hoping that one day I could be that girl representing the state of Texas on that stage. So it's very surreal that it's actually me -- it's actually happening -- and I'm going after that crown!"
This Saturday, January 14, 2012, fifty-three young ladies from across the country will compete for the coveted title of Miss America.
One of the contestants, Miss Texas 2011, sat down with me for a quick interview moments before leaving for the Miss America pageant. Kendall Morris, a twenty-year-old broadcast journalism major at Texas Christian University discussed her journey to capture the title of Miss Texas, her father's impact on her platform, and yes...the last thing that exploded in her microwave 🙂
Be sure to watch Kendall and the rest of the Miss America contestants live from Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas on ABC at 9pm EST this Saturday!
You can also follow Kendall on Twitter at: @MissTexas2011
