VIDEO: Blair Griffith – Miss Colorado USA 2011

Taken from Blair's bio from the Miss Colorado USA website:

"After trying for three years, family and friends got to see Blair Griffith crowned Miss Colorado USA 2011 on her fourth attempt for the title. It has been a dream and goal of Blair’s to win the title since she grew up watching the Miss USA pageant on television with her dad.

Blair is a Magna Cum Laude graduate from The Art Institute of Colorado where she received her Bachelors Degree in Fashion Retail Management. Her focus allowed Blair to excel scholastically as she maintained a 3.8 GPA and was accepted into the Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society."

Blair has come into the spotlight more notably because of her homeless situation.  Regardless, she is still battling for the title of Miss USA 2011 on June 19th, 2011 on NBC.  Check out her interview below as she explains more about events that left her homeless, more insight about the state of homelessness today, but more importantly her competitive drive to capture the Miss USA crown.

You can follow Blair at @RealMissCOusa on Twitter

P.S. Voting for the “You Choose a Semifinalist” contest is still ongoing! Be sure to VOTE for your favorite Miss USA 2011 contestant into the Top 15 today!

-Will the Pageant Guy  

VIDEO: Shandi Finnessey – Miss USA 2004

Shandi Finnessey’s words during her final walk as Miss USA 2004:

"As I reflect on the past year, I am reminded of the growth cycle of the butterfly. For after much preparation the small caterpillar finally awakens into a butterfly, ready to take its graceful flight into the world... Although this year has passed by so quickly, I am once again reminded of the butterfly who counts not months, but moments..."

Since giving up her crown 6 years ago Shandi has enjoyed a graceful flight into the world of television competing on Dancing With the Stars, hosting game shows Lingo and Playmania, and appearing on numerous other TV shows and movies. I was lucky enough interview Shandi and even turn the tables on her with Lingo...check it out for yourself!

Be sure to follow Shandi on Twitter at: @ShandiMissUSA

P.S. Come see Shandi and over 30 former Miss USA's at True Beauty Rocks the USA on June 18th!

-Will the Pageant Guy

  

VIDEO: Kaitlyn Smith – Miss Oklahoma USA 2011

Taken from the Miss Oklahoma USA website:

"On November 28, 2010, in Guthrie, Oklahoma, an excited crowd welcomed the newly crowned Miss Oklahoma USA 2011, Miss North Norman - Kaitlyn Smith. This was Kaitlyn’s first pageant and she not only took home the title, but also received awards for Most Photogenic, Best Interview, and People’s Choice. An Arizona native, Kaitlyn moved to Norman, Oklahoma in 2006 to attend college at the University of Oklahoma, where she’s currently working toward her degree in Medicine. She is now proud to call Norman her home."

Before Kaitlyn left for Las Vegas to compete at the Miss USA 2011 pageant (June 19th on NBC), she made a visit to the Dallas Galleria for an exclusive interview and ice skating lessons with thePageantGuy.com.  Special thanks to skating instructor Nazlie Mojiri and her students for including us in her lessons and major props to Kaitlyn for being a good sport and brave enought to take on the challenge on the ice!

You can follow Kaitlyn on Twitter at @RealMissOKUSA

P.S. Voting for the “You Choose a Semifinalist” contest is still ongoing! Be sure to VOTE for your favorite Miss USA 2011 contestant into the Top 15 today!

-Will the Pageant Guy  

VIDEO: Shaletta Porterfield talks about resigning as Miss Wisconsin USA 2011

Just a few months ago I interviewed Shaletta Porterfield, then Miss Wisconsin USA 2011. On Friday, May 13, 2011, Miss Porterfield resigned her title and the opportunity to compete at the Miss USA 2011 pageant held on June 19th in Las Vegas.

Shaletta's resignation is a result of three felony charges of identity theft. Shaletta granted me a follow up interview to tell her story.

-Will the Pageant Guy  

VIDEO: Alyssa Campanella – Miss California USA 2011

Katy Perry in her own words:

"California girls, we're undeniable,
Fine, fresh, fierce,
We got it on lock.
West coast represent, now put your hands up,
Oh oh oh ohhhhhhh!"

In 2007, this former Miss New Jersey Teen USA placed 1st runner up to Miss Teen USA, Hilary Cruz and has now made her way back to the national stage.  Now a "California Girl"or more appropriately, Miss California USA 2011, Alyssa will compete for the title of Miss USA 2011 on June 19th on NBC live from the Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

Be sure to watch Alyssa's interview below and if you haven't seen her first interview with thePageantGuy.com (before competing at the Miss California USA 2011 pageant) you can watch it here!

You can also follow Alyssa on Twitter here: @RealMissCAUSA

P.S. Voting for the "You Choose a Semifinalist" contest is still ongoing! Be sure to VOTE your favorite Miss USA 2011 contestant into the Top 15 today!

-Will the Pageant Guy  

VIDEO: Ximena Navarrete – Miss Universe 2010

Taken from Ximena's bio from MissUniverse.com:

"For only the second time in its fifty-nine year history, the representative from Mexico walked away with the coveted Miss Universe title on August 23rd at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. A crowd favorite, the audience erupted when twenty- two year old Ximena Navarrete's name was called as she was crowned Miss Universe 2010.

Navarrete was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and had lived there all of her life until being tapped for the Mexico title, after which she moved to Mexico City to serve her reign. Although Navarrete hails from one of the largest cities in Mexico, she describes it as relatively calm compared to her new home in New York City.

Navarrete has worked as a model for years, but this beauty is much more than a pretty face. While in school she received a scholastic award for obtaining high honors and exemplifying outstanding behavior. She went on to study Nutrition at Univa in Guadalajara, and plans to complete her degree after her reign."

To follow Miss Universe 2010, Ximena Navarrete on Twitter goto @TheRealMissU

P.S. Be sure to tune in to NBC on June 19th at 9pm EST to watch who will capture the title of Miss USA 2011 and represent the USA at Miss Universe 2011!

P.P.S. And...do not forget to VOTE for your favorite Miss USA state titleholder into the Top 15 for Miss USA 2011.  This is your chance to personally choose which contestant becomes a semi-finalist at this year's pageant! VOTE HERE!

-Will the Pageant Guy
Translation by Simon Garcia of Simon Says Excel In All You Do