Miss USA Shares Her Go-To Looks

BY: MAE RICE

It’s been two months since Nia Sanchez was crowned Miss USA for 2014, and she’s cheerfully adjusting to her reigning responsibilities. All the parties, charity projects, and meet ‘n’ greets mean that having the title is a full-time job, “but I’m loving every second,” she says. Luckily, she’s also great at dressing for the occasion, whether it’s the swimsuit portion of a national pageant or tae kwon do practice, where, she says, “I try to look as not-fly as possible.” When we got her on the phone, we asked her about her favorite looks for three scenarios she encounters a lot: a night out, a long flight, and a charity appearance.

For a Night Out
Go-to outfit: “Sparkly shorts and a cute blouse, or a romper that looks a little dressy with maybe a gold belt… and then I’ll throw some pumps on.” Her clothes are probably from Zara or Double Zero, the clothing company that sponsored her Miss USA outfits. Go-to beauty product: Fake eyelashes from Flutter Lashes (or Walgreens). “When I apply them, I always use the black glue, so the white stuff isn’t smudged all over your eyes if you mess up.” Nia says that the eyelashes are great for nighttime photo ops, where the flash might otherwise wash out your face. Go-to spot in Las Vegas, Nia’s home city: Brooklyn Bowl, a new venue with two floors of bowling, plus concerts and a restaurant. “It’s huge! You get a variety.”

For a Long Flight
Go-to outfit: “I don’t like skirts and dresses; you can’t get comfortable on the plane in those.” Nia prefers leggings and a chunky wraparound sweater from Double Zero, especially when she’s headed somewhere chilly. Go-to beauty product: Face lotion from Image Skincare. “When I travel, my skin gets really dry, especially [when I’m] going between different climates.” Go-to carry-on item: “A thin but big blanket. I like to fall asleep on a plane. I’m the type of person who can pull my knees up to my chest, put my arms on top of my knees, and just pass out like that.”

For a Charity Appearance
Go-to outfit: Something simple, such as jeans, a blue T-shirt (“blue is one of my favorite colors to wear”), and sneakers. Nia’s especially into wedge sneakers right now. Go-to beauty products: Similarly simple—brown eyeliner, mascara, and a little lip gloss. “Some neutral tones,” she says. “You don’t want to look like a clown when you’re up close, face-to-face with little children.” One of her go-to charities: Project Sunshine. Working with them, she visits hospitalized children and tries to brighten their day with fun projects, such as making maracas and other musical instruments.

Meet the Anti-Pageant Queen Who Almost Won Miss Teen USA

by Amber Katz

Pageant princesses and lengthy Rapunzel locks go together like Taylor Swift and breakup lyrics: They have a long, storied history. But one of this year's Miss Teen USA contestants stood out in a sea of sausage spirals. You have to admit that the go-to pageant aesthetic, while gorgeous, feels a bit homogenous and, frankly, boasts all the edge of a strawberry Skittle. So this year, we were taken with the stunning Miss Teen Pennsylvania/Miss Teen USA 2nd Runner Up, Sydney Robertson. With her pert platinum pixie and penchant for snakes, this model is a veritable disruption of the stereotypical beauty queen. She was even elected Miss Congeniality, a sizeable accomplishment considering 50 gals with whom you're competing for the crown are voting on the matter. So we just had to know: What's the story behind that pageant pixie?

For starters, Sydney always had a crop, never longer than her shoulders. Every summer, she'd cut it to about ear-length. "My dad is a hairdresser, so he cuts it. I want something easy, but that still looks good. We chopped it super-short a few years ago," she says. Shortly thereafter, Sydney saw a Facebook ad and signed up for her first pageant. "I did it as a joke at first; I'd just started my Facebook account a month before, but I got a phone interview a day later!" Her application to the 2012 Miss Teen Pennsylvania pageant was accepted only six weeks out from the competition and she wound up winning 2nd runner up the first time she competed—all without any professional coaching or training. "I got into modeling because of that pageant; one of the judges was an agent," she reveals.

Surprisingly, Sydney wasn't given any pressure to change her look to reflect the typical Teen Queen. In fact, she says that people have asked if she cut her hair purposefully for the competition. "One of the nicest things about the pageants I've done is that no one has ever told me I needed to change something in order to win," she says. "Granted, I've had some coaching on my walk and stopping and posing and all of that, but it's been nice because I've been able to stay true to who I am and just grow as a person."

Nonetheless, long hair has its advantages. Pixie cuts, believe it or not, require more in-salon maintenance—most professionals recommend getting a cut every four weeks. Luckily, Sydney has an in-house stylist in her dad. His best tip? "My hair is naturally straight and fine, but I have a lot of it. If I want it to be volumized, he taught me to blowdry it and spray dry shampoo for extra lift. It keeps my hair from falling down throughout the day." Still, Sydney maintains that Rapunzel-status strands wouldn't have changed her chances of winning one iota. "Long or short, I was confident in myself. I've been lucky because I've rarely gotten rude or hurtful comments. But when they happen, I just brush them off," she says. "As long as you're confident in yourself, that's what they see on stage."

Miss Teen USA from Chapin: ‘I still can’t believe it actually happened’

BY ANNE-KATHRYN FLANAGAN

As the summer begins to wind down, most rising high school seniors are busy preparing for their first day back to school. However, things are little different for rising Chapin High School senior K. Lee Graham, who was crowned Miss Teen USA last Saturday night. “I still can’t believe it actually happened,” Graham said. “Being Miss Teen USA is so important to me.” Graham, 17, is in New York right now just as her senior year and reign as Miss Teen USA kicks into high gear. (A South Carolina homecoming is being planned for later in the month.) “Tonight, I’m going to a Yankees game, and I’ll get to meet my new boss Mr. (Donald) Trump,” Graham said. “Then I’ll head back to South Carolina and start commuting to the places I’m needed.” Trump owns the Miss USA brand, which includes the Miss Universe pageant. As Graham handles her duties as Miss Teen USA, she still has to make time for academics and for what Graham described as a very unique senior year. Graham has taken advanced classes and honors classes along the way, which has paved the way for her to take a lighter course load this semester.

“I’ll be able to take my remaining courses while living in South Carolina and graduate early,” Graham said. Once her high school diploma is in hand, Graham will head to the New York Film Academy, where she’ll enroll in the acting program for a semester. Graham said she’ll live in the dorms while she’s at the Film Academy, but will be living with current Miss USA Nia Sanchez and Miss Universe Gabriela Isler when she’s not in school. All the while, she’ll be applying to colleges for the following fall. Graham will continue her blog Live Beautifully, which is designed to help girls find their inner worth and focus on their character instead of their appearance. “I was just thinking about what I’ll post on the blog this weekend,” Graham said. “It will definitely continue, and will be a way for people to follow me as I’m traveling.”

While she travels as Miss Teen USA, Graham also hopes to promote education. Graham, who is No. 1 in her class at Chapin High School, has a passion for learning, and wants people to know pursuing an education is an admirable thing. “I would sometimes act like I didn’t know the answer to a question when I was in middle school,” Graham said. “I regret that now, and I want other young ladies never to be ashamed of knowing the right answer.” With so much ahead of her, Graham will never forget all of the supportive family and friends who have supported her on this journey. She also said South Carolina will always be home.
One person in particular who’s been there from the beginning is Graham’s mom, Jennifer Newin, who held the Miss Teen South Carolina USA title in 1985

“My mom never forced me to compete, I begged her to let me,” Graham said. “She inspires me, and has shown me how to stay confident and be prepared.” She has also helped Graham with her wardrobe by making most of her evening gowns. “Miss Teen USA was actually the first pageant I didn’t wear one of my mom’s gowns,” Graham said. “My mom’s worked really hard, and I wanted her to relax and take a break from it this time,” Graham said. Graham enlisted the help of Gregory Ellenburg of South Carolina to create her Miss Teen USA gown. RPM Productions of Aiken also worked with Graham. Ellenburg is a sponsor of the Miss SC Teen USA pageant, and Graham said he has a huge reputation for paying attention to the fit of the gown.

“I worked with him closely to get the details, and he made something that represented me,” Graham said. As for what she’ll do once her reign as Miss Teen USA is over, Graham said she is looking forward to finishing college and pursuing an acting career. She doesn’t know what the future holds, but knows the pageant world will always hold a place in her heart.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/08/06/3604851/miss-teen-usa-form-chapin-i-still.html?sp=/99/117/#storylink=cpy

Miss Lake Eola USA & Teen USA Results

By Grant Gravitt, Jr | Miss FL USA

The beginning of our Miss Florida USA Pageant August Mini-Season saw The Road To Hollywood make its first stop of the year in Orange County as we present a “neighborhood” title with the Miss Lake Eola USA & Teen USA Pageants. Held at the Downtown Orlando Crowne Plaza in the Thornton Park District before a lively and boisterous audience the afternoon featured six Miss Teen USA and three Miss USA delegates competing for the two tiaras and chance to represent the region at both Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA. 

Read more: http://www.missfloridausa.com/Prelims/PRELIMS-lake-eola.htm