Shanna Moakler
Miss USA 1995
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss New York USA pageant?
I had competed in Miss Teen USA and enjoyed my experience so much I wanted to try the MISS, I was modeling in NY at the time and I also wanted to get into acting, the Miss NY USA pageant, in the prize package had meetings with casting agents and walk on to soaps, I had to wait a year as I also held the title of Miss Teen All American. I was VERY proud of that title.
When Chelsi Smith won Miss Universe, you took over the title as Miss USA. What would be your first thought when you realized you were the new Miss USA?
I remember it very clearly, I was in my apartment in NY and I was watching the TV thinking..."she's really going to win this!" when she did my phone immediately started ringing with congratulations, I was actually a little scared as I was a very successful model and I wasn't sure if going to LA was the best choice, but I sat down with my family and realized Acting was where my heart is and also what a once in a life time experience I was going to be able to get. Everything happens for a reason. For me the role of Miss USA was a perfect fit, I liked traveling the states. Miss Universe is a VERY hard title. I admire those women.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss USA?
Oh I have so many, My most memorable, I was able to go to the World Games for the Special Olympics, It had to have been some of the most moving moments in my life, I had worked with them since I was 13 so to be able to be involved on that scale was life changing. I was a coach and a volunteer but I was able to put the medals on the athletes and it was such an honor, I was able to meet parents who were told their children would never laugh or run and here they were winning medals. Amazing.
How does a typical day as the director of the Miss California USA pageant go?
It is actually so much fun, I deal with getting judges, recruiting girls, updating websites, working on upcoming events, this year we are VERY close to having the pageant aired all over California on CW networks, so we are securing advertisers, I am planning a radio tour for promotions, getting our queens ready for their nationals, now we will be getting Chelsea ready for the Bahamas, I don't know why I don't have a reality show following this crazy world, it would be a hit! lol
How do you overcome the criticism you receive?
Well I have been in Hollywood for a very long time at this point, I know what is real and what fantasy is, I have been very blessed with a supportive family and I rely on them highly. Being on TV shows I have been able to see how television or the media can manipulate stories to sell, I know as long as god, my close friends and family know the truth, that is all I really need, I could NEVER convince the entire world to be open minded enough to at least research both sides of a story, I also enjoy power Yoga! lol
Out of all the television appearances you have made, which one would’ve been your favorite?
Eek! Each one is so different and fun! I love acting, and hosting, but I think my most favorite would be when I guest starred on JOEY, Matt Lablanc was incredible and I felt like I learned so much on that set, it was also filmed on the same set as friends and the dressing rooms were those of the friends cast, it was so lavish and exciting, I also LOVED working in front of a LIVE audience, that is my dream job, a hit sitcom!
Give us your take on Carrie Prejean’s (Miss California USA 2009) final answer at the Miss USA 2009 pageant.
Carrie is a young woman with very strong convictions, and I am proud that she stood by her beliefs and she did what was right in her heart, I don't agree with her point of view, but that’s not what the pageant was about, she was asked a question and she answered it, it was a heated question but a relevant one, she did fantastic! NC was ahead in each event, but it was a very competitive year... at one point I didn't know who was going to take it. I think a positive out of all of this is people were really talking about the pageant and that’s great! Nicole Ritchie will have a baby soon and this will be yesterday’s news, lol.
Lastly, what have you been up to lately?
I AM a mom of 3, so those little guys keep me very busy, I am also pitching shows, writing scripts, launching my own cosmetic line SMOAK in a month, I am hashing out some reality shows as well as some hosting gigs, and of course preparing for the 2010 pageants as well as Miss Teen USA! I am so happy to have my family alive and well and I just feel so blessed
I had competed in Miss Teen USA and enjoyed my experience so much I wanted to try the MISS, I was modeling in NY at the time and I also wanted to get into acting, the Miss NY USA pageant, in the prize package had meetings with casting agents and walk on to soaps, I had to wait a year as I also held the title of Miss Teen All American. I was VERY proud of that title.
When Chelsi Smith won Miss Universe, you took over the title as Miss USA. What would be your first thought when you realized you were the new Miss USA?
I remember it very clearly, I was in my apartment in NY and I was watching the TV thinking..."she's really going to win this!" when she did my phone immediately started ringing with congratulations, I was actually a little scared as I was a very successful model and I wasn't sure if going to LA was the best choice, but I sat down with my family and realized Acting was where my heart is and also what a once in a life time experience I was going to be able to get. Everything happens for a reason. For me the role of Miss USA was a perfect fit, I liked traveling the states. Miss Universe is a VERY hard title. I admire those women.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss USA?
Oh I have so many, My most memorable, I was able to go to the World Games for the Special Olympics, It had to have been some of the most moving moments in my life, I had worked with them since I was 13 so to be able to be involved on that scale was life changing. I was a coach and a volunteer but I was able to put the medals on the athletes and it was such an honor, I was able to meet parents who were told their children would never laugh or run and here they were winning medals. Amazing.
How does a typical day as the director of the Miss California USA pageant go?
It is actually so much fun, I deal with getting judges, recruiting girls, updating websites, working on upcoming events, this year we are VERY close to having the pageant aired all over California on CW networks, so we are securing advertisers, I am planning a radio tour for promotions, getting our queens ready for their nationals, now we will be getting Chelsea ready for the Bahamas, I don't know why I don't have a reality show following this crazy world, it would be a hit! lol
How do you overcome the criticism you receive?
Well I have been in Hollywood for a very long time at this point, I know what is real and what fantasy is, I have been very blessed with a supportive family and I rely on them highly. Being on TV shows I have been able to see how television or the media can manipulate stories to sell, I know as long as god, my close friends and family know the truth, that is all I really need, I could NEVER convince the entire world to be open minded enough to at least research both sides of a story, I also enjoy power Yoga! lol
Out of all the television appearances you have made, which one would’ve been your favorite?
Eek! Each one is so different and fun! I love acting, and hosting, but I think my most favorite would be when I guest starred on JOEY, Matt Lablanc was incredible and I felt like I learned so much on that set, it was also filmed on the same set as friends and the dressing rooms were those of the friends cast, it was so lavish and exciting, I also LOVED working in front of a LIVE audience, that is my dream job, a hit sitcom!
Give us your take on Carrie Prejean’s (Miss California USA 2009) final answer at the Miss USA 2009 pageant.
Carrie is a young woman with very strong convictions, and I am proud that she stood by her beliefs and she did what was right in her heart, I don't agree with her point of view, but that’s not what the pageant was about, she was asked a question and she answered it, it was a heated question but a relevant one, she did fantastic! NC was ahead in each event, but it was a very competitive year... at one point I didn't know who was going to take it. I think a positive out of all of this is people were really talking about the pageant and that’s great! Nicole Ritchie will have a baby soon and this will be yesterday’s news, lol.
Lastly, what have you been up to lately?
I AM a mom of 3, so those little guys keep me very busy, I am also pitching shows, writing scripts, launching my own cosmetic line SMOAK in a month, I am hashing out some reality shows as well as some hosting gigs, and of course preparing for the 2010 pageants as well as Miss Teen USA! I am so happy to have my family alive and well and I just feel so blessed