Cristina Nardozzi Interview
Miss Massachusetts USA 2005
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Massachusetts USA pageant?
During my summer break from college in 2003 I beat my father to the daily mail drop-off. My father is notorious for getting the mail first and throwing away the "junk". Normally a Miss USA registration mailer would have been in the "junk" pile. But, on that day I got the mail before my father did and that one Miss USA mailer led me to the Miss Massachusetts USA 2004 pageant. I knew competing for the opportunity would improve my public speaking skills and open my eyes to the world of charity.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the winner of the Miss Massachusetts USA 2005 pageant?
I DID it! I set this grand goal, and I proved to myself and the judges that I was the winner.
I did not win the title of Miss Massachusetts USA 2005 by myself. It took a year of dedication and training on many levels with a solid team. The moment that I heard my name being announced as the winner I pointed to each member of my family and friends thanking them. My father Bill was a complete mess, he was already on his cell phone calling my grandfather crying with excitement. It is funny to think my father would have thrown out the Miss USA a mailer a year before and now he was the one jumping up and down like a kid!
What would be your most memorable moment at the Miss USA pageant?
There are many moments that I fondly think about. But, my favorite memory was not a fancy event, it was bonding with Miss CA, Miss HI and Miss SD (my roommate at the pageant) one night in our room. The four of us had a girls night of laughing and discussing this unique and special opportunity we had. I remember we used four bottles of Neutrogena sunless spray on tan that night to get the "perfect" glow for the competition.
You see, after Miss USA is all said and done what you have left are the memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
This year I attended two former Miss USA contestants weddings, Brittany Hogan (Miss CA USA '05) and Jennifer Fairbank's (Miss HI USA '05), it was wonderful to share in their special. I look forward to many more years of friendship with Britt and Jenn.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Massachusetts USA?
I have a tie for the most memorable moments during my year representing Massachusetts. I still can't believe this myself, but I threw out the first pitch in July of 2005 at a Red Sox - Yankees game! The best part of the day was throwing a strike with my crown and sash on. What a rush, I will NEVER forget that special moment in time.
My other memorable moment is when Charlie Ross, a veteran sportswriter at a boxing event in Boston. Charlie devoted most of his career to giving a voice to the often voiceless boxing community. His heart went out to the men and women who were injured after their boxing careers were over. Charlie and I were great pals during my year as Miss Massachusetts USA. Charlie sent me a postcard when I graduated from college, it simply stated "Create a Life You'll Love" - Charlie. Sadly, Charlie passed away a few years ago from his battle from cancer. I think of Charlie often, and am grateful for his thoughtfulness, encouragment and the words of wisdom he gave me.
You studied Communications at Bridgewater State College. Are you currently pursuing a career in that area?
Since moving to Los Angeles in 2006 I have been using my degree in the freelance TV world. My weekly schedule ranges from production jobs, to red carpet interviewing, to my work as a Spokesperson for Soles4Souls. I am also writing my own travel and charity shows and going through the process of pitching to several networks.
You appeared on the game show 1 vs. 100. Tell us about your experience on the game show.
I really enjoyed being a contestant on 1 vs. 100 and learning the ins and outs of a game show. I grew up watching Full House, so meeting the host Bob Saget was a trip. I thought the concept of the show was simple and would be fun to take part in with my fellow pageant sisters. I was knocked out of the show when I answered a question about longitude and latitude incorrectly. In fact, I was the ONLY person to be eliminated on that question. Not a proud moment for me, but definitely memorable.
What emotions/thoughts were you going through when you had to give away your title as Miss Massachusetts USA?
I felt so grateful for my phenomenal year representing Massachusetts. I was thankful for the support my family and friends dedicated to me throughout my yearlong journey. My year as Miss Massachusetts USA 2005 was over in a flash and I could not wait to see what the next chapter in my life would bring. I announced that night I would be moving to Los Angeles to pursue my next big goal.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Massachusetts USA ended?
I have been working and living in Los Angeles, CA since February of 2006. I travel around the country as a Spokesperson for the shoe charity Soles4Souls. Soles4Souls donates shoes to children and adults around the world. Check out www.giveshoes.org to learn about the charity and perhaps clean out your shoe bin.
When I am not working with Soles4Souls I am a red carpet correspondent for Real TV Films. I love the fast paced, high energy world of red carpet reporting. I research my "tip sheets" (celebrities who will be attending the events) and write my questions for the long night of interviewing ahead of me. www.realtvfilms.com
Lastly, my friend Tara Darby (Miss Alabama USA 2005) and I have started our very own pageant consulting business, Sashes and Crowns. Tara and I are thrilled to share our knowledge and expertise to any pageant contestant in need of training and advice. Our website is www.sashesandcrowns.com - and will be officially launching in the summer of 2009.
Visit Cristina's website: www.cristinanardozzi.com
During my summer break from college in 2003 I beat my father to the daily mail drop-off. My father is notorious for getting the mail first and throwing away the "junk". Normally a Miss USA registration mailer would have been in the "junk" pile. But, on that day I got the mail before my father did and that one Miss USA mailer led me to the Miss Massachusetts USA 2004 pageant. I knew competing for the opportunity would improve my public speaking skills and open my eyes to the world of charity.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the winner of the Miss Massachusetts USA 2005 pageant?
I DID it! I set this grand goal, and I proved to myself and the judges that I was the winner.
I did not win the title of Miss Massachusetts USA 2005 by myself. It took a year of dedication and training on many levels with a solid team. The moment that I heard my name being announced as the winner I pointed to each member of my family and friends thanking them. My father Bill was a complete mess, he was already on his cell phone calling my grandfather crying with excitement. It is funny to think my father would have thrown out the Miss USA a mailer a year before and now he was the one jumping up and down like a kid!
What would be your most memorable moment at the Miss USA pageant?
There are many moments that I fondly think about. But, my favorite memory was not a fancy event, it was bonding with Miss CA, Miss HI and Miss SD (my roommate at the pageant) one night in our room. The four of us had a girls night of laughing and discussing this unique and special opportunity we had. I remember we used four bottles of Neutrogena sunless spray on tan that night to get the "perfect" glow for the competition.
You see, after Miss USA is all said and done what you have left are the memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
This year I attended two former Miss USA contestants weddings, Brittany Hogan (Miss CA USA '05) and Jennifer Fairbank's (Miss HI USA '05), it was wonderful to share in their special. I look forward to many more years of friendship with Britt and Jenn.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Massachusetts USA?
I have a tie for the most memorable moments during my year representing Massachusetts. I still can't believe this myself, but I threw out the first pitch in July of 2005 at a Red Sox - Yankees game! The best part of the day was throwing a strike with my crown and sash on. What a rush, I will NEVER forget that special moment in time.
My other memorable moment is when Charlie Ross, a veteran sportswriter at a boxing event in Boston. Charlie devoted most of his career to giving a voice to the often voiceless boxing community. His heart went out to the men and women who were injured after their boxing careers were over. Charlie and I were great pals during my year as Miss Massachusetts USA. Charlie sent me a postcard when I graduated from college, it simply stated "Create a Life You'll Love" - Charlie. Sadly, Charlie passed away a few years ago from his battle from cancer. I think of Charlie often, and am grateful for his thoughtfulness, encouragment and the words of wisdom he gave me.
You studied Communications at Bridgewater State College. Are you currently pursuing a career in that area?
Since moving to Los Angeles in 2006 I have been using my degree in the freelance TV world. My weekly schedule ranges from production jobs, to red carpet interviewing, to my work as a Spokesperson for Soles4Souls. I am also writing my own travel and charity shows and going through the process of pitching to several networks.
You appeared on the game show 1 vs. 100. Tell us about your experience on the game show.
I really enjoyed being a contestant on 1 vs. 100 and learning the ins and outs of a game show. I grew up watching Full House, so meeting the host Bob Saget was a trip. I thought the concept of the show was simple and would be fun to take part in with my fellow pageant sisters. I was knocked out of the show when I answered a question about longitude and latitude incorrectly. In fact, I was the ONLY person to be eliminated on that question. Not a proud moment for me, but definitely memorable.
What emotions/thoughts were you going through when you had to give away your title as Miss Massachusetts USA?
I felt so grateful for my phenomenal year representing Massachusetts. I was thankful for the support my family and friends dedicated to me throughout my yearlong journey. My year as Miss Massachusetts USA 2005 was over in a flash and I could not wait to see what the next chapter in my life would bring. I announced that night I would be moving to Los Angeles to pursue my next big goal.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Massachusetts USA ended?
I have been working and living in Los Angeles, CA since February of 2006. I travel around the country as a Spokesperson for the shoe charity Soles4Souls. Soles4Souls donates shoes to children and adults around the world. Check out www.giveshoes.org to learn about the charity and perhaps clean out your shoe bin.
When I am not working with Soles4Souls I am a red carpet correspondent for Real TV Films. I love the fast paced, high energy world of red carpet reporting. I research my "tip sheets" (celebrities who will be attending the events) and write my questions for the long night of interviewing ahead of me. www.realtvfilms.com
Lastly, my friend Tara Darby (Miss Alabama USA 2005) and I have started our very own pageant consulting business, Sashes and Crowns. Tara and I are thrilled to share our knowledge and expertise to any pageant contestant in need of training and advice. Our website is www.sashesandcrowns.com - and will be officially launching in the summer of 2009.
Visit Cristina's website: www.cristinanardozzi.com