Shauntay Hinton
Miss USA 2002
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss District of Columbia pageant?
I decided to compete in pageants so I could reap more opportunities for my chosen career. I was majoring in broadcast journalism at Howard University and I didn't seem to have the connections or internships like many of my classmates. I was at my wits end trying to figure out how I was going to land my dream job on Access Hollywood and also how I was going to give my family a return on investment for their generous financial investment in my collegiate future. Low and behold, the Miss USA 2001 pageant came on one pensive night and I said "Voila! That's what I will do! I will enter the Miss USA pageant and make the top 10 and maybe, just maybe some producer from Access Hollywood will see me and offer a job!" Little did I know I would win the entire pageant and my life would change forever!
What was going through your head before and after you were announced as the new Miss USA?
After the announcement that Miss Kansas USA was first runner up, I could only hear white noise and everything moved in slow motion. It was like a psychedelic euphoria. When I bounced back to reality, the first thought that came to mind was "CHEESEBURGER"!!! All I wanted at that point was to eat every carb insight! So it's safe to say that food, glorious food was on my mind.
What was your favourite moment while you were competing in Puerto Rico for the title of Miss Universe?
Beautiful Puerto Rico...Oh the memories...my fondest memory while competing for Miss Universe was the local natives and their hospitality. Everywhere I went, I was always greeted with roaring applause and heroic chants of "UuSAaaa! UuSAaaa!" Now, you have to remember that I was representing a country that was still devastated by the senseless attacks during 9/11 and to feel that kind of international love was quite heartwarming.
What would be your most memorable moment during your reign as Miss USA?
I've had too many out-of-this-world moments as Miss USA to narrow it down to just one! To name a few; being serenaded by a band of Italian men during the Columbus Day Parade to which they revered me as the most beautiful woman in the world, meeting former President George W. Bush and having a long conversation about growing up down south and being cheerleaders, seeing my family swell with pride during my homecoming in the little town I grew up in Mississippi, traveling to South Korea with the Wayne Newton USO Tour... The list goes on and on.
What emotions were you going through when you crowned your successor?
I wrestled with bitter-sweet feelings. The life I had become accustomed to as a pampered titleholder was over at that point and yet my journey towards the next chapter of my life as a tv personality/host was about to begin. I had prepared myself for the end months before and I thank God that I was afforded so many great career opportunities for after my reign like my development contract with 20th Century Fox. I was saddened by the fact that I was leaving a plethora of people in the Miss Universe Org. who nurtured me, but I was happy to be on my way to making my career dreams a reality.
Tell us about your role on the TV show, "iCarly."
My role as "Jessica Warner" on iCarly is probably the most fun role I ever taken on! Essentially, I play an "Access Hollywood" type reporter, so it safe to say that me in that role is art imitating life! Being on set at the Nickelodeon Sunset Studios and working with the young actors makes me feel like a kid again. The green room is filled with video games, board games, a nacho fountain, candy galore...everything that will make you feel young again and I LOVE it! Plus Miranda Cosgrove is a sweetheart!
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss USA ended?
Currently, I am doing freelance work with CNN HeadLine News as a contributor/pundit. You may also catch me in the web-series, "Milk+Honey" staring myself and the great Debbie Allen to name a couple. I am an ambassador for ChildFund International. You can catch me on AutoTrader.com chopping it up with other co-hosts about cars and giving virtual test drives!
I decided to compete in pageants so I could reap more opportunities for my chosen career. I was majoring in broadcast journalism at Howard University and I didn't seem to have the connections or internships like many of my classmates. I was at my wits end trying to figure out how I was going to land my dream job on Access Hollywood and also how I was going to give my family a return on investment for their generous financial investment in my collegiate future. Low and behold, the Miss USA 2001 pageant came on one pensive night and I said "Voila! That's what I will do! I will enter the Miss USA pageant and make the top 10 and maybe, just maybe some producer from Access Hollywood will see me and offer a job!" Little did I know I would win the entire pageant and my life would change forever!
What was going through your head before and after you were announced as the new Miss USA?
After the announcement that Miss Kansas USA was first runner up, I could only hear white noise and everything moved in slow motion. It was like a psychedelic euphoria. When I bounced back to reality, the first thought that came to mind was "CHEESEBURGER"!!! All I wanted at that point was to eat every carb insight! So it's safe to say that food, glorious food was on my mind.
What was your favourite moment while you were competing in Puerto Rico for the title of Miss Universe?
Beautiful Puerto Rico...Oh the memories...my fondest memory while competing for Miss Universe was the local natives and their hospitality. Everywhere I went, I was always greeted with roaring applause and heroic chants of "UuSAaaa! UuSAaaa!" Now, you have to remember that I was representing a country that was still devastated by the senseless attacks during 9/11 and to feel that kind of international love was quite heartwarming.
What would be your most memorable moment during your reign as Miss USA?
I've had too many out-of-this-world moments as Miss USA to narrow it down to just one! To name a few; being serenaded by a band of Italian men during the Columbus Day Parade to which they revered me as the most beautiful woman in the world, meeting former President George W. Bush and having a long conversation about growing up down south and being cheerleaders, seeing my family swell with pride during my homecoming in the little town I grew up in Mississippi, traveling to South Korea with the Wayne Newton USO Tour... The list goes on and on.
What emotions were you going through when you crowned your successor?
I wrestled with bitter-sweet feelings. The life I had become accustomed to as a pampered titleholder was over at that point and yet my journey towards the next chapter of my life as a tv personality/host was about to begin. I had prepared myself for the end months before and I thank God that I was afforded so many great career opportunities for after my reign like my development contract with 20th Century Fox. I was saddened by the fact that I was leaving a plethora of people in the Miss Universe Org. who nurtured me, but I was happy to be on my way to making my career dreams a reality.
Tell us about your role on the TV show, "iCarly."
My role as "Jessica Warner" on iCarly is probably the most fun role I ever taken on! Essentially, I play an "Access Hollywood" type reporter, so it safe to say that me in that role is art imitating life! Being on set at the Nickelodeon Sunset Studios and working with the young actors makes me feel like a kid again. The green room is filled with video games, board games, a nacho fountain, candy galore...everything that will make you feel young again and I LOVE it! Plus Miranda Cosgrove is a sweetheart!
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss USA ended?
Currently, I am doing freelance work with CNN HeadLine News as a contributor/pundit. You may also catch me in the web-series, "Milk+Honey" staring myself and the great Debbie Allen to name a couple. I am an ambassador for ChildFund International. You can catch me on AutoTrader.com chopping it up with other co-hosts about cars and giving virtual test drives!