Alyssa Campanella Interview
Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2007 + 1 RU @ Miss Teen USA 2007
(became Miss USA 2011, top 15 @ Miss Universe 2011 after the interview was done)
Why did you decide to participate in the Miss New Jersey Teen USA pageant?
Well, first of all, back when I was a freshman in high school I was definitely not what you would consider a future pageant contestant. I rarely ever styled my hair, wore glasses, my favorite outfits were sweats, and my nose was always in a book. But then one day, I received a letter in the mail asking if I would be interested in competing in the Miss NJ Teen USA 2006 pageant. Although I was hesitant about it at first, my mother assured me it wouldn’t hurt to try something new and make new friends across the state. So I sent in a picture to the pageant office, and when I returned home from vacation in July 2005 I had a voicemail from Elaine Paolo congratulating me that I had been chosen as a finalist in the Miss NJ Teen USA 2006 pageant. One month later, the Miss Teen USA 2005 pageant aired (that was the first pageant I ever watched) and I definitely wanted to give the New Jersey teen title a try.
You competed in Miss New Jersey Teen USA once before winning the title the second time, what motivated you to compete for the title again?
My first year competing was an experience, and I definitely learned a lot about myself from that one weekend. However, I did not get to endure the full pageant experience my first year because I was extremely sick. I came down with a very bad case of the flu and bronchitis come Sunday (the final night of the competition), but I did end up making the top 15 and it was extremely exciting and I was still determined to win – no voice and all! I also made some new friends and we all decided we would come back the following year, room together, and compete again. Another reason why I returned was I was only 15-years old at my first pageant. One year later, at age 16, I felt I was more mature and responsible to handle the title and duties of Miss New Jersey Teen USA.
What was going through your head when your name was not announced as the 1st runner up at the Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2007?
I am sure if you have seen my crowning video you can see I was definitely surprised! The crowd roared seconds before it hit me that I had won, and I remember looking right at my mother seeing her jumping up and down waving her arms like a helicopter! At that moment, all that kept going through my head was, “Oh my God the crown is on my head!” and “Oh my God I am going to Miss Teen USA!” After watching the Miss Teen USA 2005 and 2006 pageants on TV, I couldn’t believe that I was going to be the next New Jersey representative at that pageant.
What would be your most memorable experience at the Miss Teen USA 2007 pageant?
By far, my most memorable experience was being with all the girls. My roommate (Sommer Isdale, Miss Texas Teen USA 2007) was definitely a sister figure to me. And since we were from all across the country, it was very interesting to learn about life in other states, plus everyone’s different accents! It was so exciting being able to travel around Pasadena and Los Angeles with 50 amazing girls that now when I think about returning to Los Angeles, I know it will never be the same and I will wish all of those girls could be there with me again. After the Miss Teen USA 2007 telecast ended, we all embraced each other and cried because we realized we were going to have to return home and back to reality.
What was going through your head when your state was announced was in the top 15, then in the top 10 at Miss Teen USA?
First, let me just say waiting one week after preliminaries to find out if you have made the cut certainly made me extremely anxious, and I am sure any other former titleholder can agree with me on that! When I got called into the top 15, I realized now the competition was starting over from scratch with new scores and what suddenly went through my head was actually the swimsuit routine! I was so excited but my biggest fear was not being able to remember the routine! When I got called into the top 10 at Miss Teen USA, I really felt I could win this if I remained focused, determined, and positive. New Jersey had placed in the top ten the year before – the only way I could go from there was up.
What was going through your head when your state was announced as the 1st runner up at the Miss Teen USA pageant?
To be completely honest, after Hilary Cruz answered her question, I already knew that the title was most likely going to go to her. In fact, when the two of us were left standing, I said to her, “Congratulations and enjoy New York!” I was not surprised when Mario Lopez announced me as the first runner up. Of course it is not easy to learn you were so close to something you wanted so bad, but I realized I was now New Jersey’s highest placing teen titleholder to date. That was something I was very proud of. Who knew I would become 1st runner up to Miss Teen USA? Although disappointing, I couldn’t have asked for anything more at that point.
Who would be your role model and why?
I honestly have two role models. One, of course, is my mother. She is a role model, an idol, a heroine. She never gives up a fight, and she is probably the smartest woman I know. I also trust her more than anyone on this Earth and I truly respect her for who she is. Over the past few years we have grown extremely close and learned a lot about each other. I believe my New Jersey teen title brought us closer because she was always there for me when I needed her but refused to get in my way when I wanted to be more independent. She lets me be my own person and live my own life. She has endured a sometimes difficult life, but because she has a lot of love in her and a heart of gold, she keeps moving forward positively no matter what is happening in her life. She is a very strong, courageous woman that I am learning a lot about and hope to be like her someday.
My second role model is the actress Angelina Jolie. And even though you might think she is my role model because she is an actress and I am studying film acting, but that is not my reason why I admire her. She made a complete 180 degree turnaround with her life. Sure, she may be one of the world’s hottest topics and a very beautiful woman, but it is her actions towards those in need and children that truly draw my attention. Because of her, I joined UNICEF’s U.S. Fund and raised money in my community on behalf of the organization. And with six kids and counting, her efforts are still endless and she continues to fight for her cause. I find that very admirable.
What have you been up since your reign as Miss New Jersey Teen USA ended?
Well, two weeks after the Miss Teen USA pageant, I received a call from the pageant office informing me I had a request to visit and audition for the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. I think I was more nervous for that audition than I ever was at Miss Teen USA! I was accepted and attended that school for one year in New York City, graduating from high school early and living in Manhattan on my own at the age of 17. I have also worked with modeling agencies such as Click Model Management, Axis Models and Talent, and most recently Wilhelmina Models. I am still pursuing acting, in hopes that someday I will grace the screen acting in a feature film or even as a television host. The entertainment industry is a tricky business, but it has yet to stop me from following my heart and dreams. Just because something is hard or difficult to achieve doesn’t mean you should give up. The door for competing again in pageants has not closed for me; that door is still left ajar. Maybe someday I will get the chance to represent NJ again on the national stage.
Well, first of all, back when I was a freshman in high school I was definitely not what you would consider a future pageant contestant. I rarely ever styled my hair, wore glasses, my favorite outfits were sweats, and my nose was always in a book. But then one day, I received a letter in the mail asking if I would be interested in competing in the Miss NJ Teen USA 2006 pageant. Although I was hesitant about it at first, my mother assured me it wouldn’t hurt to try something new and make new friends across the state. So I sent in a picture to the pageant office, and when I returned home from vacation in July 2005 I had a voicemail from Elaine Paolo congratulating me that I had been chosen as a finalist in the Miss NJ Teen USA 2006 pageant. One month later, the Miss Teen USA 2005 pageant aired (that was the first pageant I ever watched) and I definitely wanted to give the New Jersey teen title a try.
You competed in Miss New Jersey Teen USA once before winning the title the second time, what motivated you to compete for the title again?
My first year competing was an experience, and I definitely learned a lot about myself from that one weekend. However, I did not get to endure the full pageant experience my first year because I was extremely sick. I came down with a very bad case of the flu and bronchitis come Sunday (the final night of the competition), but I did end up making the top 15 and it was extremely exciting and I was still determined to win – no voice and all! I also made some new friends and we all decided we would come back the following year, room together, and compete again. Another reason why I returned was I was only 15-years old at my first pageant. One year later, at age 16, I felt I was more mature and responsible to handle the title and duties of Miss New Jersey Teen USA.
What was going through your head when your name was not announced as the 1st runner up at the Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2007?
I am sure if you have seen my crowning video you can see I was definitely surprised! The crowd roared seconds before it hit me that I had won, and I remember looking right at my mother seeing her jumping up and down waving her arms like a helicopter! At that moment, all that kept going through my head was, “Oh my God the crown is on my head!” and “Oh my God I am going to Miss Teen USA!” After watching the Miss Teen USA 2005 and 2006 pageants on TV, I couldn’t believe that I was going to be the next New Jersey representative at that pageant.
What would be your most memorable experience at the Miss Teen USA 2007 pageant?
By far, my most memorable experience was being with all the girls. My roommate (Sommer Isdale, Miss Texas Teen USA 2007) was definitely a sister figure to me. And since we were from all across the country, it was very interesting to learn about life in other states, plus everyone’s different accents! It was so exciting being able to travel around Pasadena and Los Angeles with 50 amazing girls that now when I think about returning to Los Angeles, I know it will never be the same and I will wish all of those girls could be there with me again. After the Miss Teen USA 2007 telecast ended, we all embraced each other and cried because we realized we were going to have to return home and back to reality.
What was going through your head when your state was announced was in the top 15, then in the top 10 at Miss Teen USA?
First, let me just say waiting one week after preliminaries to find out if you have made the cut certainly made me extremely anxious, and I am sure any other former titleholder can agree with me on that! When I got called into the top 15, I realized now the competition was starting over from scratch with new scores and what suddenly went through my head was actually the swimsuit routine! I was so excited but my biggest fear was not being able to remember the routine! When I got called into the top 10 at Miss Teen USA, I really felt I could win this if I remained focused, determined, and positive. New Jersey had placed in the top ten the year before – the only way I could go from there was up.
What was going through your head when your state was announced as the 1st runner up at the Miss Teen USA pageant?
To be completely honest, after Hilary Cruz answered her question, I already knew that the title was most likely going to go to her. In fact, when the two of us were left standing, I said to her, “Congratulations and enjoy New York!” I was not surprised when Mario Lopez announced me as the first runner up. Of course it is not easy to learn you were so close to something you wanted so bad, but I realized I was now New Jersey’s highest placing teen titleholder to date. That was something I was very proud of. Who knew I would become 1st runner up to Miss Teen USA? Although disappointing, I couldn’t have asked for anything more at that point.
Who would be your role model and why?
I honestly have two role models. One, of course, is my mother. She is a role model, an idol, a heroine. She never gives up a fight, and she is probably the smartest woman I know. I also trust her more than anyone on this Earth and I truly respect her for who she is. Over the past few years we have grown extremely close and learned a lot about each other. I believe my New Jersey teen title brought us closer because she was always there for me when I needed her but refused to get in my way when I wanted to be more independent. She lets me be my own person and live my own life. She has endured a sometimes difficult life, but because she has a lot of love in her and a heart of gold, she keeps moving forward positively no matter what is happening in her life. She is a very strong, courageous woman that I am learning a lot about and hope to be like her someday.
My second role model is the actress Angelina Jolie. And even though you might think she is my role model because she is an actress and I am studying film acting, but that is not my reason why I admire her. She made a complete 180 degree turnaround with her life. Sure, she may be one of the world’s hottest topics and a very beautiful woman, but it is her actions towards those in need and children that truly draw my attention. Because of her, I joined UNICEF’s U.S. Fund and raised money in my community on behalf of the organization. And with six kids and counting, her efforts are still endless and she continues to fight for her cause. I find that very admirable.
What have you been up since your reign as Miss New Jersey Teen USA ended?
Well, two weeks after the Miss Teen USA pageant, I received a call from the pageant office informing me I had a request to visit and audition for the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. I think I was more nervous for that audition than I ever was at Miss Teen USA! I was accepted and attended that school for one year in New York City, graduating from high school early and living in Manhattan on my own at the age of 17. I have also worked with modeling agencies such as Click Model Management, Axis Models and Talent, and most recently Wilhelmina Models. I am still pursuing acting, in hopes that someday I will grace the screen acting in a feature film or even as a television host. The entertainment industry is a tricky business, but it has yet to stop me from following my heart and dreams. Just because something is hard or difficult to achieve doesn’t mean you should give up. The door for competing again in pageants has not closed for me; that door is still left ajar. Maybe someday I will get the chance to represent NJ again on the national stage.