What?s in the minds of the beautiful Miss USA contestants Baltimore has been following for the last two weeks? Four contestants tell all.
Representing Maryland is 20-year-old Melissa DiGiulian, who said she feels that winning the title would open up new possibilities. “It?s so much more than ?Hey, I?m Miss USA.? I want to experience different cultures and take in as much as possible,” she said.
When asked if there was any advantage to the pageant being held in her home state, DiGiulian replied, “If we go somewhere, I know how long it takes to get there and how to dress. But it really is just survival of the fittest. I?m in a room with 50 amazing, gorgeous, intelligent girls. You really have to be confident in who you are.”
Miss California, 26-year-old Tomiko Nash, said winning the Miss USA title would be her own personal achievement. “Winning Miss USA would establish me as a role model, and personally and professionally would open a world of opportunity,” she said.
Nash also wants to continue her work with domestic violence victims. “At one point, I was an elementary school teacher and I loved it. I would love to continue to work with children and domestic violence issues.”
Amber Brooke Copley, 20, representing her home state of Virginia, said she feels that the best time she?s had in the pageant so far was working with Best Buddies. “I loved it. I definitely want to work with the organization,” she said.
Copley is excited about getting the chance to show off her hard work, and she?s not nervous about being on stage. “We rehearse so much, it?s almost like second nature. But it?s not a natural state for anyone, being out there in front of millions in just a bathing suit!” she said.
District of Columbia representative Candace Allen, 20, said the most important thing she?d do if she won the title is continue her work with the community. “I want to continue my work in Washington, but also make connections with Best Buddies and breast and ovarian cancer,” she said.
Allen keeps in shape by eating five times a day and said she feels she has an obligation to educate young girls on proper nutrition. “Teens don?t know the healthy way to eat. It?s not by skipping meals,” Allen said.
The Miss USA Pageant airs at 9 p.m. Friday on NBC.
