"I'm going to give it 110%. I'm so excited, I actually went to Miss USA this past summer just to watch. That's really when I envisioned myself being on that stage and I'm about to make it a reality!"
I had the great pleasure to interview Erin, just moments after she was crowned Miss Louisiana USA 2012.
It's no surprise to anyone that Erin was walking on Cloud Nine during our first interview, but even months after her win you can still see her genuine excitement about representing Louisiana at the Miss USA 2012 pageant this June. See the latest interview with Erin below.
"...one of the best colors for a redhead to wear is surprisingly green! Although many would associate red and green as Christmas colors, the two actually work well together. Any shade of green tends to work well except for neon green. Green is not a popular evening gown color; however, for redheads it would be a very good choice."
Alyssa Campanella in 2008: "Green is not a popular evening gown color; however, for redheads it would be a very good choice.
I first met Alyssa Campanella back in 2008, several months after her 1st runner-up placement at Miss Teen USA 2007, where she contributed as a feature writer for one my pageant projects, PageantMaterial.com.
Looking back at the first article she wrote -- more specifically the quote listed above -- its no surprise to see how correct she was in recommending "The Perfect Colors for the Redhead". Even more accurate would be the fact she would follow her own advice......in capturing the title of Miss USA 2011.
Over the past few years, I've been lucky to have Alyssa's support on all of my pageant projects, and when I launched my newest project, thePageantGuy.com, it was only fitting that she would be my first interview to launch the site.
Since then, I've been able to interview Alyssa several more times, raising the standard for journalistic silliness -- complete with refrigerator tours and bloopers -- each and every time 🙂
So here we are once again: thePageantGuy.com interview with Miss USA 2011 - Alyssa Campanella (or AC: Episode IV for you Star Wars fans) haha.
Special thanks to the Miss Universe Organization for the exclusive interview. Best viewed in 1080p HD. Video by thePageantGuy.com in association with PixelBroom.
P.S. In case you missed our first three interviews here they are:
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:
In October, I had the unique opportunity to attend and capture some rare moments of the Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2012 pageant.
Thank you to Paula Miles and the entire RPM Productions team for the exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of the pageant!
Special thanks to Zac Grimaldo for also capturing great footage throughout the entire pageant weekend.
Best viewed in 1080p HD. Video by thePageantGuy.com in association with PixelBroom.
P.S. I have posted two versions of the same video.
The top (YouTube) version can not be viewed on mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, Android, etc.) 🙁 however the bottom (Vimeo) version can be viewed on mobile devices 🙂
"...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.
