Kimberly Krueger Interview
Miss North Dakota USA 2006
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss North Dakota USA pageant?
When I was a little girl I would watch Miss USA with my big sister on television and immediately after the show I’d set up a Barbie pageant in our living room. At the time I only say the gowns and glamour, but as I grew up I realized there is so, so much more to a USA title holder and I really saw it as an opportunity to use the title as a foundation to share an important message. To say it was a lifelong dream sounds a little silly, but the truth of it is, I set this goal when I was just 6 years old. Fifteen years later I was standing on the stage at Miss USA 2006 living a dream
Very few may actually know that you were a semi-finalist in the first cycle of the popular reality show, “America’s Next Top Model”, what would be your most memorable experience there?
After season one of Americas Next Top Model my brothers friend suggested that I send in an audition video. Three days after my high school graduation we filmed a very amateur video in the back yard of our home and sent it in, really thinking nothing of it. About a week later when I was out shopping with some friends I got a call from the casting director to fly to Chicago for the semi-finals round- which was a totally new experience for me. Not only was I one of the youngest women there, I was definitely the only one from North Dakota. I met some pretty amazing people and had a total blast. I have to say, it’s probably a blessing in disguise that I didn’t make it onto the show because I don’t think I have the gusto to undergo some of the challenges those ladies did! Since then two fabulous women from North Dakota have actually become Americas Next Top Models and I couldn’t be more proud. Go ND! J
You were chosen as one of the 26 models on Deal or No Deal, what would be the highlight of that experience?
Appearing on Deal or No Deal was so much fun! It gave us a glimpse into the future of what it would be like at Miss USA and it allowed the 26 of us to get to know each other a bit beforehand. We had a little down time to go shopping and grab lunch together on the first day and then it was off to the studio for rehearsals. Day two proved to be exciting as we were glamed and styled by some of the sweetest hair and make up artists I’d ever met. Then the filming began. Probably the most memorable part of the experience for me was when my dad, who had traveled from North Dakota to support his baby in her national television debut, gathered a cheering section to scream “GO NORTH DAKOTA” from the audience after we did the walk. I have an amazingly supportive family and it meant the world to me that my dad was cheering me on in the audience.
What would a typical day be like during your reign as Miss North Dakota USA?
When I was Miss North Dakota USA I was also a full time student through correspondence classes and the president of two student organizations on campus. My plate was definitely full, so being organized wasn’t really a choice, it was a necessity. An average day included: a work out, homework session for 2-3 hours, planning for Delta Gamma and Colleges Against Cancer 1-2 hours (and meetings twice a week), Miss USA prep and appearances the rest of the day. I didn’t have an appearance every day, but I averaged 3 times a week so to say my schedule was busy is an understatement, it was packed. Looking back, I’m still not sure how I did it. I think a lot of thanks need to go to my mom on this one, she was so helpful!
What emotions were you going through when you gave away your title?
I was ready. I think a lot of title holders are really sad the night they pass the title on, but there wasn’t one part of me that felt sad. I was so thankful for the opportunity and I left the stage that night with absolutely no regrets. I wasn’t sad that this chapter in my life had come to an end, instead I was totally excited to start another chapter. I don’t feel like I peaked at Miss USA, I think it was more of a starting point or stepping stone to something even greater. I also felt really blessed to be so supported- my friends and family could not have been more amazing that year and when I looked out at all of them in the audience as I gave my farewell walk I was reminded that I am one lucky girl.
Will you participate in another pageant in the future?
In one way or another I’ll probably be a part of pageants for the rest of my life. I’ve served as a judge and a contestant coordinator since giving up my title and I’ll likely continue in that respect. As far as ever competing again, who knows! Never say never, right?
What are you up to now?
Since giving up the title of Miss North Dakota USA 2006 I’ve graduated from undergrad at the University of North Dakota, traveled a bit and moved to New York City where I’m pursuing a career in Public Relations and Event Coordination. I absolutely love the city and my clients, but will be moving back home for a while to help my family work through the aftermath of the floods in Fargo. I’m very fortunate to work for a company that supports this and is allowing me to work remotely for the time being. Other than that, not much else has changed! I still love volunteering for Best Buddies and the American Cancer Society, being an aunt, traveling, working out and spending time with my family, friends and boyfriend. Oh, I also still love watching Miss USA on television and, because I have 4 nieces, every now and then I get the chance to put on a Barbie pageant too. J
When I was a little girl I would watch Miss USA with my big sister on television and immediately after the show I’d set up a Barbie pageant in our living room. At the time I only say the gowns and glamour, but as I grew up I realized there is so, so much more to a USA title holder and I really saw it as an opportunity to use the title as a foundation to share an important message. To say it was a lifelong dream sounds a little silly, but the truth of it is, I set this goal when I was just 6 years old. Fifteen years later I was standing on the stage at Miss USA 2006 living a dream
Very few may actually know that you were a semi-finalist in the first cycle of the popular reality show, “America’s Next Top Model”, what would be your most memorable experience there?
After season one of Americas Next Top Model my brothers friend suggested that I send in an audition video. Three days after my high school graduation we filmed a very amateur video in the back yard of our home and sent it in, really thinking nothing of it. About a week later when I was out shopping with some friends I got a call from the casting director to fly to Chicago for the semi-finals round- which was a totally new experience for me. Not only was I one of the youngest women there, I was definitely the only one from North Dakota. I met some pretty amazing people and had a total blast. I have to say, it’s probably a blessing in disguise that I didn’t make it onto the show because I don’t think I have the gusto to undergo some of the challenges those ladies did! Since then two fabulous women from North Dakota have actually become Americas Next Top Models and I couldn’t be more proud. Go ND! J
You were chosen as one of the 26 models on Deal or No Deal, what would be the highlight of that experience?
Appearing on Deal or No Deal was so much fun! It gave us a glimpse into the future of what it would be like at Miss USA and it allowed the 26 of us to get to know each other a bit beforehand. We had a little down time to go shopping and grab lunch together on the first day and then it was off to the studio for rehearsals. Day two proved to be exciting as we were glamed and styled by some of the sweetest hair and make up artists I’d ever met. Then the filming began. Probably the most memorable part of the experience for me was when my dad, who had traveled from North Dakota to support his baby in her national television debut, gathered a cheering section to scream “GO NORTH DAKOTA” from the audience after we did the walk. I have an amazingly supportive family and it meant the world to me that my dad was cheering me on in the audience.
What would a typical day be like during your reign as Miss North Dakota USA?
When I was Miss North Dakota USA I was also a full time student through correspondence classes and the president of two student organizations on campus. My plate was definitely full, so being organized wasn’t really a choice, it was a necessity. An average day included: a work out, homework session for 2-3 hours, planning for Delta Gamma and Colleges Against Cancer 1-2 hours (and meetings twice a week), Miss USA prep and appearances the rest of the day. I didn’t have an appearance every day, but I averaged 3 times a week so to say my schedule was busy is an understatement, it was packed. Looking back, I’m still not sure how I did it. I think a lot of thanks need to go to my mom on this one, she was so helpful!
What emotions were you going through when you gave away your title?
I was ready. I think a lot of title holders are really sad the night they pass the title on, but there wasn’t one part of me that felt sad. I was so thankful for the opportunity and I left the stage that night with absolutely no regrets. I wasn’t sad that this chapter in my life had come to an end, instead I was totally excited to start another chapter. I don’t feel like I peaked at Miss USA, I think it was more of a starting point or stepping stone to something even greater. I also felt really blessed to be so supported- my friends and family could not have been more amazing that year and when I looked out at all of them in the audience as I gave my farewell walk I was reminded that I am one lucky girl.
Will you participate in another pageant in the future?
In one way or another I’ll probably be a part of pageants for the rest of my life. I’ve served as a judge and a contestant coordinator since giving up my title and I’ll likely continue in that respect. As far as ever competing again, who knows! Never say never, right?
What are you up to now?
Since giving up the title of Miss North Dakota USA 2006 I’ve graduated from undergrad at the University of North Dakota, traveled a bit and moved to New York City where I’m pursuing a career in Public Relations and Event Coordination. I absolutely love the city and my clients, but will be moving back home for a while to help my family work through the aftermath of the floods in Fargo. I’m very fortunate to work for a company that supports this and is allowing me to work remotely for the time being. Other than that, not much else has changed! I still love volunteering for Best Buddies and the American Cancer Society, being an aunt, traveling, working out and spending time with my family, friends and boyfriend. Oh, I also still love watching Miss USA on television and, because I have 4 nieces, every now and then I get the chance to put on a Barbie pageant too. J