Tanisha Brito Interview
Miss Connecticut 2002, Miss Georgia USA 2005 + top 10 @ Miss America 2003
Why did you decide to participate in the Miss New London County and the Miss Georgia USA pageant?
Well….Miss New London County was my first local in the Miss America system. My aunt saw the contestant call in the newspaper and called me during my sophomore year of college to tell me I should enter it. I had wanted to be Miss America my entire life so it seemed like the right time to get started in MAO locals. So, that first year I competed at Miss Connecticut 2000 and placed as second runner up. The next year, I stayed in Georgia, where I was in school and competed as Miss Fulton County in Miss Georgia 2001 and won the Non Finalist Interview award. Finally on my third attempt at a state title, I competed as Miss New London County again and that was the year I won Miss Connecticut 2002.
After going to Miss America and placing in the Top Ten, I hadn’t gotten the competition bug out of me yet and wanted to keep going. I always said I would never do Miss USA because of some misconceptions I myself held. So, I competed on a whim. But being Miss Georgia USA 2005 and competing at Miss USA are two amazing experiences that I would not trade for anything. I’m so glad I did it. Actually, when I was at Miss USA, there were several of my Miss America sisters from 2002 that competed at Miss USA that same year. It was a reunion of sorts!
What was going through your head when you weren’t announced as the 1st runner up in both the Miss Connecticut and the Miss Georgia USA pageant?
At Miss Connecticut I was on my third attempt at a state title, so I was relieved not to have heard my name up to that point. So when it was finally just me standing there, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment since that was what I wanted since I was a child.
At Miss Georgia USA, I hadn’t known what to expect from the USA system, so with every advancement to the Top 15 and Top 5, I just kept trying to kick up my performance several notches so I could stay in the game. So when it was just the first runner up and I standing there, I felt like I had given it my all and was prepared for the outcome whatever it was going to be. I did however feel very confident after my final answer that I had nailed it. But you just never know what they are looking for or how your answer came across to the judges.
What was your most memorable experience at the Miss America pageant?
Walking into Convention Hall and onto the runway. There were a few of us who got teary eyed during the experience. I am so glad that I got to compete in the historic Convention Hall and in Atlantic City. Being Miss America was a lifelong goal and I felt so privileged to be able to compete in the Superbowl of pageantry!
The other memorable experience was meeting Heather French Henry the night before finals. My traveling companion arranged for me to meet her since she was and still is my favorite Miss America. It was after the parade and I was so tired and just wanted to go to bed…but Jackie (my STC) knew I would love the surprise. So I dragged myself downstairs and walked into a restaurant and there was Heather and her daughter (she only had one at the time). She had her crown for me to hold and she told me to keep up the good work and to continue to think positive. I hadn’t won a prelim, so I was beginning to doubt the possibility of making the Top 15. Meeting her was the reassurance I needed to keep my head up. It was perfect timing.
What was going on in your head when you were announced in the top 10 at Miss America?
Well, first the Top 15 announcement came and I was FLOORED! It’s one thing to want something with your whole heart. It’s quite another to actually realize the accomplishment and experience the payoff of all your hardwork. I also felt extremely proud for my family and friends who’d come to support me. I felt like my accomplishment was as a result of the efforts of an amazing collection of people. I was and am a blessed girl to have so many supportive and selfless people in my life.
What was your most memorable experience at the Miss USA pageant?
Meeting The Donald! We saw him at rehearsals on finals day and then he, Access Hollywood, his wife and children came to the dressing room right before show time. He is super tall and imposing. But seemed like a nice guy.
Who would be your role model and why?
Oprah and Michelle Obama. Oprah is exemplary in her philanthropy and accomplishments as a self-made woman. She continues to stretch herself professionally, personally and spiritually and she also believes in lifelong learning. I really try to do those same things in my own life.
Michelle Obama is so classic, strong and elegant that you can’t help but admire her. She embodies a lot of what I hope to become someday – a wife and mother, yet still dedicated to her professional pursuits. And she has great style too!
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss Georgia USA ended?
I started graduate school in 2005 and graduated with my MBA in Marketing in 2007 from my undergraduate alma mater, Clark Atlanta University. Since then I have worked as a Brand Marketing Manager for YUM Brands on our KFC and currently, Taco Bell brands. In 2008, I received another amazing honor and was named to Ebony Magazine’s Annual “Top 30 Leaders Under 30” list. Currently I am working on a leadership book for young women and traveling as much as possible!
Well….Miss New London County was my first local in the Miss America system. My aunt saw the contestant call in the newspaper and called me during my sophomore year of college to tell me I should enter it. I had wanted to be Miss America my entire life so it seemed like the right time to get started in MAO locals. So, that first year I competed at Miss Connecticut 2000 and placed as second runner up. The next year, I stayed in Georgia, where I was in school and competed as Miss Fulton County in Miss Georgia 2001 and won the Non Finalist Interview award. Finally on my third attempt at a state title, I competed as Miss New London County again and that was the year I won Miss Connecticut 2002.
After going to Miss America and placing in the Top Ten, I hadn’t gotten the competition bug out of me yet and wanted to keep going. I always said I would never do Miss USA because of some misconceptions I myself held. So, I competed on a whim. But being Miss Georgia USA 2005 and competing at Miss USA are two amazing experiences that I would not trade for anything. I’m so glad I did it. Actually, when I was at Miss USA, there were several of my Miss America sisters from 2002 that competed at Miss USA that same year. It was a reunion of sorts!
What was going through your head when you weren’t announced as the 1st runner up in both the Miss Connecticut and the Miss Georgia USA pageant?
At Miss Connecticut I was on my third attempt at a state title, so I was relieved not to have heard my name up to that point. So when it was finally just me standing there, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment since that was what I wanted since I was a child.
At Miss Georgia USA, I hadn’t known what to expect from the USA system, so with every advancement to the Top 15 and Top 5, I just kept trying to kick up my performance several notches so I could stay in the game. So when it was just the first runner up and I standing there, I felt like I had given it my all and was prepared for the outcome whatever it was going to be. I did however feel very confident after my final answer that I had nailed it. But you just never know what they are looking for or how your answer came across to the judges.
What was your most memorable experience at the Miss America pageant?
Walking into Convention Hall and onto the runway. There were a few of us who got teary eyed during the experience. I am so glad that I got to compete in the historic Convention Hall and in Atlantic City. Being Miss America was a lifelong goal and I felt so privileged to be able to compete in the Superbowl of pageantry!
The other memorable experience was meeting Heather French Henry the night before finals. My traveling companion arranged for me to meet her since she was and still is my favorite Miss America. It was after the parade and I was so tired and just wanted to go to bed…but Jackie (my STC) knew I would love the surprise. So I dragged myself downstairs and walked into a restaurant and there was Heather and her daughter (she only had one at the time). She had her crown for me to hold and she told me to keep up the good work and to continue to think positive. I hadn’t won a prelim, so I was beginning to doubt the possibility of making the Top 15. Meeting her was the reassurance I needed to keep my head up. It was perfect timing.
What was going on in your head when you were announced in the top 10 at Miss America?
Well, first the Top 15 announcement came and I was FLOORED! It’s one thing to want something with your whole heart. It’s quite another to actually realize the accomplishment and experience the payoff of all your hardwork. I also felt extremely proud for my family and friends who’d come to support me. I felt like my accomplishment was as a result of the efforts of an amazing collection of people. I was and am a blessed girl to have so many supportive and selfless people in my life.
What was your most memorable experience at the Miss USA pageant?
Meeting The Donald! We saw him at rehearsals on finals day and then he, Access Hollywood, his wife and children came to the dressing room right before show time. He is super tall and imposing. But seemed like a nice guy.
Who would be your role model and why?
Oprah and Michelle Obama. Oprah is exemplary in her philanthropy and accomplishments as a self-made woman. She continues to stretch herself professionally, personally and spiritually and she also believes in lifelong learning. I really try to do those same things in my own life.
Michelle Obama is so classic, strong and elegant that you can’t help but admire her. She embodies a lot of what I hope to become someday – a wife and mother, yet still dedicated to her professional pursuits. And she has great style too!
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss Georgia USA ended?
I started graduate school in 2005 and graduated with my MBA in Marketing in 2007 from my undergraduate alma mater, Clark Atlanta University. Since then I have worked as a Brand Marketing Manager for YUM Brands on our KFC and currently, Taco Bell brands. In 2008, I received another amazing honor and was named to Ebony Magazine’s Annual “Top 30 Leaders Under 30” list. Currently I am working on a leadership book for young women and traveling as much as possible!