Amber Copley Interview
Miss Virginia Teen USA 2003
Miss Virginia USA 2006
You competed and won the Miss Virginia Teen USA pageant in 2003, why did you decide to compete in the Miss Virginia USA pageant?
Of course I was watching Miss USA when Chelsea Cooley won the title. Something I always have struggled with in the pageant world is my body and height. I am not a naturally thin woman nor do I get in shape quickly. When I was young I struggled with my weight and even got teased quite a bit in school. When I watched Chelsea compete I was really drawn to her. She wasn’t 5’10” and she had a healthy, curvy and in shape body. To me she looked like a natural real woman, who I would want to be my Miss USA. After watching the show I decided I was ready to do Miss Virginia USA. I wasn’t positive I was going to come back to pageantry after Miss Virginia Teen USA. I worked so hard before Miss Teen USA to get my body the best it has ever looked and then didn’t place. I had a major fear of competing at Miss USA. I knew all the women’s bodies that do well looked like Victoria Secret models and that was just a physic that was nearly impossible for me to achieve and still keep my body healthy. Chelsea really inspired me and gave me the confidence to compete again. So I worked hard and won the title of Miss Virginia USA 2006.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the winner of Miss Virginia USA?
Excitement! I was competing with some women who were incredible in so many ways. I knew I had worked hard, my body was in shape, I did well in interview and my gown was beautiful, but in pageantry you just never know what the outcome might be.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA?
My birthday fell on the second week at Miss Teen USA. When we went in for lunch that day they had a big chocolate cake for me! I remember myself and Miss Montana Teen USA Arielle Brown standing over the trash eating our cake so we didn’t eat a whole piece! So we took a few bites…savored the moment and tossed the cake! I thought what the organization did for me was so sweet and thoughtful. I was really sad that I wasn’t at home with my friends and family so it was very comforting to know people were thinking about me.
What be your most memorable at Miss USA?
The moment before I set foot on the stage final night for the live telecast is a moment I will never forget. When you are put in situations to compete with individuals who are your equal in so many aspects, it allows to you dig deep and evaluate your inner self. When you are at Miss USA or any other type of competition you have to rely on ‘you’ and no one else. I knew I didn’t have the best body at Miss USA, I knew I had a beautiful gown, a great interview and I also knew that I was confident in myself. So before I stepped on stage I had the deepest self connection I had experienced. I took a deep breath and realized I had accomplished my goal of staying true to who I am and who I will always be, if the judges put me in the cut, great, if not there was a differed path I was going down. I started up the steps with a smile on my face and peace in my soul. I will never forget that moment.
Who would be your role model and why?
I don’t really have any role models nor feel like I desire one. Not saying by ANY means I am not inspired by different people or have a huge amount of respect for them, I just don’t want to try to be like someone other than myself. My motto for years is to never let anyone persuade me not to be myself. I love advice, constructive criticism and ideas from people I respect. But every day I strive to dig deeper, and look to myself for who I want to be in life and what mark I want to make on this world.
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss Virginia USA ended?
Recently I have been working on writing some music. I have written poetry since I was in my early teens. Music is also something I have always been very passionate about. I learned to play the guitar three years ago and just recently started to write my own songs. At this point it is simply a hobby of mine, but I would love for people to hear my music one day. I have also been very focused on acting and a little bit of modeling. It is amazing the paths life will take you down. I am excited for the future and the many endeavors life has in store for me.