Mia Heaston Interview
Miss Illinois USA 2007
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Illinois USA pageant
Honestly, it was a lifelong dream of mine to compete in the Miss USA pageant. I’d competed in pageants since I was 12 years old and I loved the level of competition and self awareness that pageantry brought to my life. After I moved to Chicago in 2005, I wanted to make that dream a reality and because I was 25 years old I knew I had limited time to do so. Not to mention, I wanted to meet some new people, champion my platform which was Diabetes Awareness and the prize package for Miss IL was amazing!
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Illinois USA?
For some reason, I had this calm feeling during the entire competition and I felt that God was going to bless me with the desires of my heart. This was something that I’d worked so hard for and I felt like my time had finally arrived. So once they called my name into the Top 15, I knew that I was my biggest competition. I didn’t worry about what anyone else was doing, I just went out there and had the time of my life. By the time they called me into the Top 5, all I could do was thank God because I knew it was my time! When Caitlyn and I were the final two standing, I remember my heart beating really fast and then they called her name as the 1st Runner Up. The tears started flowing and I really couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. I didn’t sleep for two days…lol!
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
The entire experience was unforgettable but I would have to say getting to know Michae Holloman, Miss Maryland USA 07, was something that I will never forget. She and I were roomies and we stayed up every night laughing, talking and looking at pictures from the day. She was such a breath of fresh air in a competition that is so cut throat and fierce. She and I have remained really good friends and will be in each other’s weddings this summer as each other’s Maid of Honors J
You grew up around 5 brothers. Did you stay girly-girly or were (are) you a tomboy?
I was a complete tomboy for the first 5-8 years of my life…seriously! I played sports, watched sports and hung out with my brothers all the time. As I got older, I began to get more into the girly-girl stuff and it’s continued throughout my adult life.
What would be your most memorable moment during your reign as Miss Illinois USA?
I honestly don’t have one specific moment because all of my appearances were so meaningful and I loved interacting with so many adults and kids from across the great state of IL.
How would a typical day during your reign as Miss Illinois USA go?
I continued to work full time during my reign, so I worked 8-12 hours every day. I usually had a appearances on the weekend and Dex and I would head out to all of them. Dex was such a trooper throughout the entire year and I couldn’t have made it without him J My year as Miss IL USA was really busy but planning our wedding in June makes that schedule look so easy!
Lastly, do you think you’ve made a difference during your reign as Miss Illinois USA?
I surely hope so! Becoming the 1st black woman to win Miss IL USA was such an honor and I know that the doors for other minority women have been opened and that’s a difference that changes lives, perspectives and attitudes. I get so my emails and Facebook messages from young girls who are aspiring to compete in beauty pageants and they always ask me for advice. I make it a top priority to return every single message no matter how busy I am. Just the fact that they reach out to me makes me feel so grateful because the opportunities that I’ve been blessed with are priceless.
Honestly, it was a lifelong dream of mine to compete in the Miss USA pageant. I’d competed in pageants since I was 12 years old and I loved the level of competition and self awareness that pageantry brought to my life. After I moved to Chicago in 2005, I wanted to make that dream a reality and because I was 25 years old I knew I had limited time to do so. Not to mention, I wanted to meet some new people, champion my platform which was Diabetes Awareness and the prize package for Miss IL was amazing!
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Illinois USA?
For some reason, I had this calm feeling during the entire competition and I felt that God was going to bless me with the desires of my heart. This was something that I’d worked so hard for and I felt like my time had finally arrived. So once they called my name into the Top 15, I knew that I was my biggest competition. I didn’t worry about what anyone else was doing, I just went out there and had the time of my life. By the time they called me into the Top 5, all I could do was thank God because I knew it was my time! When Caitlyn and I were the final two standing, I remember my heart beating really fast and then they called her name as the 1st Runner Up. The tears started flowing and I really couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. I didn’t sleep for two days…lol!
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA?
The entire experience was unforgettable but I would have to say getting to know Michae Holloman, Miss Maryland USA 07, was something that I will never forget. She and I were roomies and we stayed up every night laughing, talking and looking at pictures from the day. She was such a breath of fresh air in a competition that is so cut throat and fierce. She and I have remained really good friends and will be in each other’s weddings this summer as each other’s Maid of Honors J
You grew up around 5 brothers. Did you stay girly-girly or were (are) you a tomboy?
I was a complete tomboy for the first 5-8 years of my life…seriously! I played sports, watched sports and hung out with my brothers all the time. As I got older, I began to get more into the girly-girl stuff and it’s continued throughout my adult life.
What would be your most memorable moment during your reign as Miss Illinois USA?
I honestly don’t have one specific moment because all of my appearances were so meaningful and I loved interacting with so many adults and kids from across the great state of IL.
How would a typical day during your reign as Miss Illinois USA go?
I continued to work full time during my reign, so I worked 8-12 hours every day. I usually had a appearances on the weekend and Dex and I would head out to all of them. Dex was such a trooper throughout the entire year and I couldn’t have made it without him J My year as Miss IL USA was really busy but planning our wedding in June makes that schedule look so easy!
Lastly, do you think you’ve made a difference during your reign as Miss Illinois USA?
I surely hope so! Becoming the 1st black woman to win Miss IL USA was such an honor and I know that the doors for other minority women have been opened and that’s a difference that changes lives, perspectives and attitudes. I get so my emails and Facebook messages from young girls who are aspiring to compete in beauty pageants and they always ask me for advice. I make it a top priority to return every single message no matter how busy I am. Just the fact that they reach out to me makes me feel so grateful because the opportunities that I’ve been blessed with are priceless.