Crystal Hayes Interview
Miss Michigan USA 2005 (top 15 @ Miss USA 2005)
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Michigan USA pageant?
I had always had an interest in watching the pageants on TV every year, as long as I could remember. I decided to compete in Miss Michigan USA because my first pageant changed me overnight. I had so much fun meeting the girls and also being able to finally find something that I was good at. Needless to say, anyone who knew me well, knew I was never good at athletics though I always tried, and playing any instruments…forget it! Competing at 16 in my first real pageant completely pulled me out of my depression. I was always picked on for what I looked like as a young teenager and not having enough self-esteem caused me to be literally invisible, where no one ever said one word to me. Once I came home from the pageant, and took more pride in what I looked like, and how I acted, people finally took me more seriously and suddenly I opened myself up. And for the first time in a few years, I actually started to make friends. Pageants aren’t what they are portrayed on television in funny movies, but rather, they help young women develop confidence, poise, and self-worth through hard work and effort.
You won the title of Miss Michigan USA on your 2nd attempt. What encouraged you to come back and compete after your first attempt at the title?
I had currently been competing since I was in the Miss Michigan Teen USA pageant for 2 years then entered Miss Michigan USA when I was 19. On my fifth year in a row placing well at both categories, it was finally my year. It was also my 20th birthday the day I was crowned…what a birthday to remember. After 5 years of hard work and perseverance, it finally paid off. The reason I decided to continue even when it seemed like disappointment after disappointment because I had a vision about winning when I was 5 years old, which I shared at that time with my friends one day on the playground. They just laughed at me, but I told them that one day they would see me compete at Miss USA. I never had a doubt about whether I would one day win, but rather when it would be God’s timing. The year 2005 was a year that changed my life.
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 15 at Miss USA?
I thought that I didn’t make the cut. It was around the top 13 and I realized that I still hadn’t been called and there were only 2 slots left. As the last name was called I freaked out! I couldn’t believe I was the last one making it in the top 15. Talk about stressful and wonderful at the same time! A dream come true, I was competing on national television for my dream job.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
Being called in the top 15 was by far the most memorable. I remember my family leaping out of their seats and my youngest sister crying hysterically. Aside from the competition another memorable moment was speaking with Donald Trump after the competition, and telling him what a great Miss USA new titleholder Chelsea Cooley, Miss North Carolina USA 2005, would be.
What kind of emotions were you going through when you crowned your successor?
I was so excited to have the opportunity to share the title with the next winner, because I knew how much it meant when I was crowned by my friend Stacey Lee the year prior. You share a common bond, a sisterhood you could say, from that point on.
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss Michigan USA ended?
After Miss Michigan USA, I worked as a co-host for a radio show called, “Beauty and the Beast in the afternoon”, on Mix 106.3. Shortly after I also started traveling nationally with the auto show circuit as a spokesperson for Toyota while getting my Bachelors of Business Administration Degree using my scholarship from Baker College. I am very thankful to Baker, as I have never paid a dime for tuition or books.
Over the past 7 years, I have also worked part-time for other companies as a spokesperson, modeling for brands like Transitions Lenses, Cover Girl, Ford, Chrysler, Whirlpool, MGM, Meijer’s, etc. and also a SAG-Aftra actress in commercials such as Art Van starring Cindy Crawford and featured extra work in films like Real Steel with Hugh Jackman. For information on booking please visit www.crystalhayes.com or find me on Facebook.
In addition being in front of the camera, I am a mom, licensed cosmetologist, and photographer with my own business called “Image Is Design”, LLC where I specialize in the other side of the lens in talent development, image consulting and hair, makeup and photography. For more information how to get a free image consultation please visit our website at www.imageisdesign.com
I had always had an interest in watching the pageants on TV every year, as long as I could remember. I decided to compete in Miss Michigan USA because my first pageant changed me overnight. I had so much fun meeting the girls and also being able to finally find something that I was good at. Needless to say, anyone who knew me well, knew I was never good at athletics though I always tried, and playing any instruments…forget it! Competing at 16 in my first real pageant completely pulled me out of my depression. I was always picked on for what I looked like as a young teenager and not having enough self-esteem caused me to be literally invisible, where no one ever said one word to me. Once I came home from the pageant, and took more pride in what I looked like, and how I acted, people finally took me more seriously and suddenly I opened myself up. And for the first time in a few years, I actually started to make friends. Pageants aren’t what they are portrayed on television in funny movies, but rather, they help young women develop confidence, poise, and self-worth through hard work and effort.
You won the title of Miss Michigan USA on your 2nd attempt. What encouraged you to come back and compete after your first attempt at the title?
I had currently been competing since I was in the Miss Michigan Teen USA pageant for 2 years then entered Miss Michigan USA when I was 19. On my fifth year in a row placing well at both categories, it was finally my year. It was also my 20th birthday the day I was crowned…what a birthday to remember. After 5 years of hard work and perseverance, it finally paid off. The reason I decided to continue even when it seemed like disappointment after disappointment because I had a vision about winning when I was 5 years old, which I shared at that time with my friends one day on the playground. They just laughed at me, but I told them that one day they would see me compete at Miss USA. I never had a doubt about whether I would one day win, but rather when it would be God’s timing. The year 2005 was a year that changed my life.
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 15 at Miss USA?
I thought that I didn’t make the cut. It was around the top 13 and I realized that I still hadn’t been called and there were only 2 slots left. As the last name was called I freaked out! I couldn’t believe I was the last one making it in the top 15. Talk about stressful and wonderful at the same time! A dream come true, I was competing on national television for my dream job.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
Being called in the top 15 was by far the most memorable. I remember my family leaping out of their seats and my youngest sister crying hysterically. Aside from the competition another memorable moment was speaking with Donald Trump after the competition, and telling him what a great Miss USA new titleholder Chelsea Cooley, Miss North Carolina USA 2005, would be.
What kind of emotions were you going through when you crowned your successor?
I was so excited to have the opportunity to share the title with the next winner, because I knew how much it meant when I was crowned by my friend Stacey Lee the year prior. You share a common bond, a sisterhood you could say, from that point on.
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss Michigan USA ended?
After Miss Michigan USA, I worked as a co-host for a radio show called, “Beauty and the Beast in the afternoon”, on Mix 106.3. Shortly after I also started traveling nationally with the auto show circuit as a spokesperson for Toyota while getting my Bachelors of Business Administration Degree using my scholarship from Baker College. I am very thankful to Baker, as I have never paid a dime for tuition or books.
Over the past 7 years, I have also worked part-time for other companies as a spokesperson, modeling for brands like Transitions Lenses, Cover Girl, Ford, Chrysler, Whirlpool, MGM, Meijer’s, etc. and also a SAG-Aftra actress in commercials such as Art Van starring Cindy Crawford and featured extra work in films like Real Steel with Hugh Jackman. For information on booking please visit www.crystalhayes.com or find me on Facebook.
In addition being in front of the camera, I am a mom, licensed cosmetologist, and photographer with my own business called “Image Is Design”, LLC where I specialize in the other side of the lens in talent development, image consulting and hair, makeup and photography. For more information how to get a free image consultation please visit our website at www.imageisdesign.com