Courtney Lopez Interview
Miss Wisconsin Teen USA 2008
Miss Wisconsin USA 2010
*interview was done prior to Courtney becoming Miss WI USA.
Why did you decide to participate in the Miss Wisconsin Teen USA pageant?
I entered the Miss Wisconsin Teen USA Pageant with no perceived notion that I would ever obtain the crown. I have always been a pretty quiet person and as a Senior in high school I felt this an opportunity to help myself in another avenue to put myself out in front of people to help me work through it without really expressing what my motive was before entering college – to help continue to grow outside of my quiet/shy disposition.. When I hit the stage and introduced myself; I felt an inner peace that I can do this & pushed myself through the preliminary’s and then into the final competition when my name was called into the top 15. I’m not stretching any truth by saying my stomach ached so bad the entire weekend of the pageant as this was one of the toughest self inflicted tasks I asked of myself - to prove to myself & others that I do have an inner strength & can make a difference.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the winner of Miss Wisconsin Teen USA?
My immediate reaction was “Who did they just announce?” as people gathered around me putting the crown on my head (which tipped off almost onto the floor) & the banner was put on (I looked down just to read it because I was in shock and could hardly see it through the tears.) I remember standing there almost feeling odd because I really didn’t pay attention at rehearsal because I never dreamed my fantasy of being Miss Wisconsin Teen would happen to a girl like me & in reality I really just stood there – never walked or waved – just utter shock and tears running down my face.
You flew to Las Vegas for the Miss USA pageant and the Fashion Rocks The Universe event, what was your most memorable moment there?
What a trip. . . the airline I traveled on shut down all flights anywhere in the US that day because of some plastic strap recommended by the FAA. I began to cry because I thought of all the awesome things in Las Vegas I would miss. As my Mom searched the other airlines for available seats to Las Vegas; I was interviewed by a local television news reporter because he saw my banner & a few tears. Well, after another $1,000 in airfare & the last seats on another airline (which re-routed us down south from Wisconsin before heading west to Las Vegas & through some awful thunderstorms shaking the plane) We arrived 10 hours later in Las Vegas missing the Fashion Rocks the Universe – but still so excited to be going to the live telecast of Miss USA. Most memorable was definitely being seated at Planet Hollywood in awesome seats near the stage & seeing Donald Trump & Paula Shugart 2 rows in front of me acknowledging all the Miss Teen USA 2008 Contestants. Inside I felt pretty awesome to be a part of this group & so very privileged having to experience this moment in my life. It also wasn’t bad having my picture taken with Chase Crawford too!
What would be your favorite book and why?
My all time favorite book is “90 Minutes In Heaven”. It is about an individual who dies for 90 minutes & shares his experiences during this time throughout the story. I can’t give away the whole story but a good read – easy & fast to get through if you’re not a huge fan of reading.
Have you ever met your namesake, Miss USA 1988 Courtney Gibbs?
Unfortunately, NO & would love to one day! Here’s my magical dream: Compete one day in the Miss Wisconsin USA Pageant with hopes of another Cinderella moment, go to the National Miss USA Pageant with a fabulous end to this dream which we all know what it would be (because again this is my magical dream & a girl has to dream – even big) Finally that this pageant would be the year all former Miss USA’s were gathered including Courtney Gibbs-Miss USA 1988 so I could take this magical moment for us to meet each other & pics too . . .as this would put the cherry on top the sundae for my Mom!
Who would be your role model and why?
I know people are probably hoping for some famous person & this may sound cliché as I have to say my Mom. There is just something I can’t explain for the strength she supports me with. She has always been my rock to lean on & help me with the hurdles in life. We are not without our battles too; as she has a hard time seeing me hurt or falter in life as I grow into an adult thinking as me as her little girl.
I entered the Miss Wisconsin Teen USA Pageant with no perceived notion that I would ever obtain the crown. I have always been a pretty quiet person and as a Senior in high school I felt this an opportunity to help myself in another avenue to put myself out in front of people to help me work through it without really expressing what my motive was before entering college – to help continue to grow outside of my quiet/shy disposition.. When I hit the stage and introduced myself; I felt an inner peace that I can do this & pushed myself through the preliminary’s and then into the final competition when my name was called into the top 15. I’m not stretching any truth by saying my stomach ached so bad the entire weekend of the pageant as this was one of the toughest self inflicted tasks I asked of myself - to prove to myself & others that I do have an inner strength & can make a difference.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the winner of Miss Wisconsin Teen USA?
My immediate reaction was “Who did they just announce?” as people gathered around me putting the crown on my head (which tipped off almost onto the floor) & the banner was put on (I looked down just to read it because I was in shock and could hardly see it through the tears.) I remember standing there almost feeling odd because I really didn’t pay attention at rehearsal because I never dreamed my fantasy of being Miss Wisconsin Teen would happen to a girl like me & in reality I really just stood there – never walked or waved – just utter shock and tears running down my face.
You flew to Las Vegas for the Miss USA pageant and the Fashion Rocks The Universe event, what was your most memorable moment there?
What a trip. . . the airline I traveled on shut down all flights anywhere in the US that day because of some plastic strap recommended by the FAA. I began to cry because I thought of all the awesome things in Las Vegas I would miss. As my Mom searched the other airlines for available seats to Las Vegas; I was interviewed by a local television news reporter because he saw my banner & a few tears. Well, after another $1,000 in airfare & the last seats on another airline (which re-routed us down south from Wisconsin before heading west to Las Vegas & through some awful thunderstorms shaking the plane) We arrived 10 hours later in Las Vegas missing the Fashion Rocks the Universe – but still so excited to be going to the live telecast of Miss USA. Most memorable was definitely being seated at Planet Hollywood in awesome seats near the stage & seeing Donald Trump & Paula Shugart 2 rows in front of me acknowledging all the Miss Teen USA 2008 Contestants. Inside I felt pretty awesome to be a part of this group & so very privileged having to experience this moment in my life. It also wasn’t bad having my picture taken with Chase Crawford too!
What would be your favorite book and why?
My all time favorite book is “90 Minutes In Heaven”. It is about an individual who dies for 90 minutes & shares his experiences during this time throughout the story. I can’t give away the whole story but a good read – easy & fast to get through if you’re not a huge fan of reading.
Have you ever met your namesake, Miss USA 1988 Courtney Gibbs?
Unfortunately, NO & would love to one day! Here’s my magical dream: Compete one day in the Miss Wisconsin USA Pageant with hopes of another Cinderella moment, go to the National Miss USA Pageant with a fabulous end to this dream which we all know what it would be (because again this is my magical dream & a girl has to dream – even big) Finally that this pageant would be the year all former Miss USA’s were gathered including Courtney Gibbs-Miss USA 1988 so I could take this magical moment for us to meet each other & pics too . . .as this would put the cherry on top the sundae for my Mom!
Who would be your role model and why?
I know people are probably hoping for some famous person & this may sound cliché as I have to say my Mom. There is just something I can’t explain for the strength she supports me with. She has always been my rock to lean on & help me with the hurdles in life. We are not without our battles too; as she has a hard time seeing me hurt or falter in life as I grow into an adult thinking as me as her little girl.