Pageantry's navigation bar Home Feedback To Subscribe To Advertise LINKS Meet Our Writers Back Issues Coming Next Issue In This Issue Pageantry's picture of the week Enter our contest! newsline Classifieds Visit the Pageantry Mall

Judges to Miss Missouri:
MISS USA, "YOU'RE HIRED!"


Shandi Finnessey gets the "thumbs-up" sign in a Hollywood-lavish live TV-reality pageant extravaganza at Miss USA 2004.



"YOU'RE HIRED!" Just what every delegate vying for her dream job of Miss USA was hoping to hear. Following NBC's special Miss USA edition of Fear Factor, promotional impresario extraordinaire Donald Trump appeared at the top of the telecast in his boardroom from "The Apprentice" hit series, where he not-so-subtly explained to Miss USA 2003 Susie Castillo that her reign would end in approximately two hours. In essence, Mr. Trump spoke his by-now famous two words — "You're fired." Meanwhile, a national viewing audience looked forward to finding out who would be "hired" as the new Miss USA, to go on to a whirlwind one-year of employment as Miss USA's reigning beauty queen. Let's talk about reality TV!

From the entertainment capital of the world, the Hollywood red carpet was literally rolled out for the staging of the 53rd winner-take-all Miss USA Pageant within the hallowed amphitheater of the Kodak Theatre. Involving the television audience from the beginning, the 51 stunning delegates commanded center stage in the opening production number, in a show that was glamorously set amidst the many well-known Los Angeles historical landmarks.

Fashionably hosted by Nancy 0'Dell and Billy Bush of Access Hollywood, the delegates excitedly reintroduced themselves during the live sequence following the taped lead-in. Not content to rest on the laurels of the spectacular opening, the telecast continued the up-tempo pace as the Top 15 were announced. Surviving the initial job application were Misses Arizona, Missouri, Texas, North Carolina, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Oregon, Georgia, New Mexico, Washington, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. From coast-to-coast, every region of the country had a reason the cheer.

The elegant and exquisite Evening Gown competition would be the first live job interview, as each delegate hoped to add substance to her resume. In a plethora of stylistic nuances, the Top 15 delegates serenely graced the runway while offering a glimpse of the woman within. As reality TV dictated, only 10 remaining applicants would enjoy the opportunity to continue the interview process. Moving one step closer to her dream job would be Miss Georgia Caroline Medley, Miss Oklahoma Lindsay Hill, Miss Alabama Tara Darby, Miss North Carolina Ashley Puleo, Miss Idaho Kimberly Glyn Weible, Miss Florida Kristen Berset, Miss Missouri Shandi Finnessey, Miss Oregon Jennifer Murphy, Miss South Carolina Amanda Pennekamp, and Miss Tennessee Stephanie Culberson.

After a closer examination of each contestant's home video resumé, the nerves-of-steel Swimsuit competition would reveal who possessed the determination to fully embrace the healthy lifestyle that would be a cornerstone of success throughout the year. Looking fit and graceful, each delegate visually stated her case in requesting further consideration. Following the announcement of Miss Vermont Michelle Fongemie as Miss Congeniality, as voted by her sister delegates, and Miss Arkansas Jennifer Sherrill as the Photogenic winner as voted online, only five talented women would take another step toward the awaiting riches, Manhattan apartment, and title of Miss USA 2004.

In true reality-TV fashion, the remaining delegates would make a final presentation for the job, as each answered a random question as posed by either one of her remaining peers or the reigning Miss USA Susie Castillo. The pressure of competition, the stress of appearing on national television, and the finality of the moment offered one qualified aspirant the chance to seize the opportunity as her own defining moment and increase her odds of hearing the judges say, "You're hired."

In a live television reality equaled by none, Miss Tennessee Stephanie Culberson was pronounced 4th Runner-up, Miss Oklahoma Lindsay Hill 3rd Runner-up, Miss North Carolina Ashley Puleo 2nd Runner-up, and Miss South Carolina Amanda Pennekamp 1st Runner-up. Showing the competitive savvy, demeanor, and prerequisite qualifications that befit her newly won title of Miss USA, the statuesque Shandi Finnessey from Missouri began her walk to the executive suite. Mr. Trump, Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey, Paula Shugart, and the entire organization completed the evening's tasks with professional aplomb, and the pageant industry's legion of fans could shout a resounding... "YOU'RE HIRED!


Can't get enough of Miss USA?

Susie Castillo: Miss USA 2003
Shauntay Hinton: Miss USA 2002
Kandace Krueger: Miss USA 2001
Lynnette Cole: Miss USA 2000

Kimberly Pressler: Miss USA 1999
Shawnae Jebbia: Miss USA 1998


Previous Miss USAs

Miss USA 1990 Carole Gist
Miss USA 1991 Kelli McCarthy
Miss USA 1992 Shannon Marketic
Miss USA 1993 Kenya Moore
Miss USA 1994 Lu Parker South
Miss USA 1995 Chelsi Smith
Miss USA 1995 Shanna Moakler
Miss USA 1996 Ali Landry
Miss USA 1997 Brook Lee
Miss USA 1997 Brandi Sherwood
Miss USA 1998 Shawnae Jebbia
Miss USA 1999 Kimberly Pressler
Miss USA 2000 Lynnette Cole
Miss USA 2001 Kandace Krueger
Miss USA 2002 Shauntay Hinton
Miss USA 2003 Susie Castillo


For complete behind-the-scenes storie
and all the details on this and other exciting competitive events from across America, as well as a wealth of advice to improve your chances of victory, be sure to order Pageantry today.


To read more stories like this one, subscribe to Pageantry TODAY!


Home I Subscribe I Advertising I Classifieds I Pageantry Mall I Links I Our Writers I Back Issues
Next Issue I In This Issue I Picture of the Week I Contest I Newsline I Feedback



© Pageantry magazine 2004

HAIR TIPS
Investigate These
    Fabulous Hair Styles
Hair Styles for Prom
Hair to Be Remembered
Updo Hair Styles
Hairstyles for Fall '03
Summer Hair: Makeovers
Prom Hair: Quick Fixes
Hairstyles for the Holidays
Hairstyles for Fall
Hairstyles for Summer
8 'Dos To Make You
    The Mane Attraction
Prom Do's
Prom Hairstyles: Tips
    and Tools
Back to Glamour:
    Hair Styles for Prom

MAKEUP TIPS
Freshen Up Your Makeup
MTV Stylist's Makeup Tips
Don't Do Makeup
    Half Way
Winterize Your Skin
Makeup: Basic Training
Makeup: Sun-Savvy
Makeup: Ionic Products
Makeup Tools:
    Brushes & Sponges
A Good Foundation
Prom Do's
Steps for Applying
    Color Shades (Part 1)
Steps for Applying
    Color Shades (Part 2)
Prom Makeovers:
    Emphasize Personality
From Problem Skin to
    Prom Queen
Beautiful Blunders:
    Learning from your
    makeup mistakes

FITNESS TIPS
Prom-Prep Fitness Tips
Lose the "Love Handles"
Triceps Toning:
    Farewell to Flabby Arms
Hip Pointers: Tips for
    toning problem hips
Prom Fitness: Build an
    eye-catching body
Arm Shaping:
    Take the wiggle out
    of your upper arms
Thigh Toners:
    Leg lunges for those
    flabby hips and thighs
How to choose a personal
    fitness trainer
Prom Shape Up:
    Trimming down so you'll
    look great at prom
Mental Fitness: The role
    your thinking has in
    exercise success

MODELING TIPS
VIDEO: Working The
    Runway
BOOK: The New York
    Model's Black Book
BOOK: The Modeling
    Handbook
BOOK: First Option: A
   Directory of Legitimate
   U.S. Modeling Agencies
MAAI: A Close Look
    at Modeling
IMTA/Barbizon
Modeling: How One
    Parent Started Her
    Children