Hailey Best
Miss North Carolina 2011 (top 15 @ Miss America 2012)
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Durham County pageant?
I actually competed in my hometown pageant first, Miss Goldsboro. After I was disappointed not to win that, Miss Durham was my last chance to make it to Miss NC for that year. So….I went for it! Miss Goldsboro wasn't going to stop me! I was one of 15 contestants and was so glad to win with the chance to be Miss North Carolina. Not having the success I had hoped for at Miss Goldsboro gave me the drive I needed to win Miss North Carolina on my very first try at the state level!
Tell us about your platform, "The Live on Foundation".
The "Live On Foundation" is a North Carolina based non-profit organization that was started by a friend of mine. It is designed to work with children living in what we call "alternative residences" like children's homes and homeless shelters. Within our organization, we visit those facilities and get to know the children who live there. Once we better understand their situations, their personalities, their strengths, and their weaknesses, we can then help guide them in a direction of an extra-curricular activity outside of their living arrangement. These kids need an outlet for their creativity and their talent, and most importantly an outlet to channel their frustrations and to make new friends! It has certainly been life changing for me! I most enjoy working with the teen girls at the homes, and have really developed close, special relationships with many of the girls!
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 15 at Miss America?
WOW. Well…initially, I just wanted to make it down the stairs and to the front of the stage without falling! Next, it was a feeling of overwhelming joy and excitement. Finally, a feeling of accomplishment and pride as I looked up to my cheering section and blew kisses and waved to the best support group in the entire universe. I had worked so hard to get to that point, and my friends and family believed in me every step of the way. That made all the difference. It was AMAZING.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss North Carolina?
My most memorable moment is hard to pinpoint, as I had so many remarkable experiences and life changing events throughout my year. But, if I must choose one, it was actually at my welcome home party after winning Miss NC. my hometown threw me the biggest celebration you could imagine! It was held at the historic theater downtown in my hometown that I had grown up performing in. They played the DVD of the finals night of the Miss NC competition and people came from all over to meet me and get pictures made with me! I sang a couple songs, while my dad played the piano. It was just so humbling to see so many people there for ME! It was at that moment that it hit me….I am Miss North Carolina! I am going to Miss America!
What emotions were you going through when it was time for you to crown your successor?
I was a nervous wreck. I just wanted someone to be crowned who would appreciate the title and the crown as much as I had. I had such an incredible year filled with amazing opportunities and wonderful people. I was excited for the next woman who was to be crowned, and couldn't wait to hear who it would be!
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss North Carolina ended?
Well, I haven't slowed down that's for sure! A week after passing on the crown, I began working on the Nicholas Sparks movie "Safe Haven" that was filming in Southport, NC. I am now filming for a TV show called "Chasing the Hill", which is a new series. Next, I will be in North Carolina Theatre's production of Legally Blonde the musical, and then I'll be off to Nashville, TN where I will be recording an album of original music in hopes of becoming a singing sensation! Of course while I'm busy doing all of these performance gigs, I am finishing my bachelor's degree in Business Communications online through Pace University in NYC. Miss North Carolina and Miss America were truly launching pads for my success as a performer! I am so excited to see what my future holds!
I actually competed in my hometown pageant first, Miss Goldsboro. After I was disappointed not to win that, Miss Durham was my last chance to make it to Miss NC for that year. So….I went for it! Miss Goldsboro wasn't going to stop me! I was one of 15 contestants and was so glad to win with the chance to be Miss North Carolina. Not having the success I had hoped for at Miss Goldsboro gave me the drive I needed to win Miss North Carolina on my very first try at the state level!
Tell us about your platform, "The Live on Foundation".
The "Live On Foundation" is a North Carolina based non-profit organization that was started by a friend of mine. It is designed to work with children living in what we call "alternative residences" like children's homes and homeless shelters. Within our organization, we visit those facilities and get to know the children who live there. Once we better understand their situations, their personalities, their strengths, and their weaknesses, we can then help guide them in a direction of an extra-curricular activity outside of their living arrangement. These kids need an outlet for their creativity and their talent, and most importantly an outlet to channel their frustrations and to make new friends! It has certainly been life changing for me! I most enjoy working with the teen girls at the homes, and have really developed close, special relationships with many of the girls!
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 15 at Miss America?
WOW. Well…initially, I just wanted to make it down the stairs and to the front of the stage without falling! Next, it was a feeling of overwhelming joy and excitement. Finally, a feeling of accomplishment and pride as I looked up to my cheering section and blew kisses and waved to the best support group in the entire universe. I had worked so hard to get to that point, and my friends and family believed in me every step of the way. That made all the difference. It was AMAZING.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss North Carolina?
My most memorable moment is hard to pinpoint, as I had so many remarkable experiences and life changing events throughout my year. But, if I must choose one, it was actually at my welcome home party after winning Miss NC. my hometown threw me the biggest celebration you could imagine! It was held at the historic theater downtown in my hometown that I had grown up performing in. They played the DVD of the finals night of the Miss NC competition and people came from all over to meet me and get pictures made with me! I sang a couple songs, while my dad played the piano. It was just so humbling to see so many people there for ME! It was at that moment that it hit me….I am Miss North Carolina! I am going to Miss America!
What emotions were you going through when it was time for you to crown your successor?
I was a nervous wreck. I just wanted someone to be crowned who would appreciate the title and the crown as much as I had. I had such an incredible year filled with amazing opportunities and wonderful people. I was excited for the next woman who was to be crowned, and couldn't wait to hear who it would be!
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss North Carolina ended?
Well, I haven't slowed down that's for sure! A week after passing on the crown, I began working on the Nicholas Sparks movie "Safe Haven" that was filming in Southport, NC. I am now filming for a TV show called "Chasing the Hill", which is a new series. Next, I will be in North Carolina Theatre's production of Legally Blonde the musical, and then I'll be off to Nashville, TN where I will be recording an album of original music in hopes of becoming a singing sensation! Of course while I'm busy doing all of these performance gigs, I am finishing my bachelor's degree in Business Communications online through Pace University in NYC. Miss North Carolina and Miss America were truly launching pads for my success as a performer! I am so excited to see what my future holds!