Miss New York USA - Adriana Diaz
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When did you start doing pageants and how many have you done? I started doing pageants when I was 15 going on 16. The New York pageants, Miss New York Teen USA and Miss New York USA are usually over Thanksgiving weekend. My birthday falls right around there, so I've actually spend my last like five birthdays at the pageant. Which is crazy because I actually tried for Miss New York Teen USA in 2001. I've never done a pageant before, didn't know what it was all about, I just got the application in the mail. I had a friend who did it and liked it. So I said I'll try is since I like trying new things. I placed and supposedly it was really impressive for someone who has never done a pageant. I was encouraged to go back, I came back the next time and I got 3rd Runner Up. I was like, "Oh whatever." Then I went to college, I was a freshman, and out of no where I was like, "You know what? I'm going to try this again." So I tried again in 2003 and actually won Miss New York Teen USA 2003. Went to Miss Teen USA, it was awesome and I loved it. That was when I was 18 and I didn't do a pageant since than. Then out of the blue, this summer, something told me I would really love to have the opportunity to come to Miss USA and here I am. What have you gained from this experience at Miss USA? It never fails to surprise me how amazing these women are. You'd think it's unusual to have people who are so nice and fun and easy going and low maintenance, believe it or not, and cool and interesting. Just the conversations I've had about religion, and family, and values, not just makeup. (laugh) These women are very multifaceted you know and it's just really inspiring and empowering. It's definitely what I've taken away from this experience. Who is your closest friends here? Miss Virginia, is my roommate and I love her to death. She was actually at Miss Teen USA when I was. She was Miss Virginia Teen USA 2003 when I was Miss New York Teen USA 2003. There are a couple of other girls who are former teens from other years, who are a little older than us. We knew each other in passing at Miss Teen USA but not very well. They matched us up as roommates and I am so lucky. We tell people we were separated at birth, only she has blue eyes. Because we love the same things, we care about the same things. It's like we're sisters and I'm just really blessed to have her. We have tons of fun, we would stay up all night if we weren't that tired. It's been great. The presentation show is coming up, what do you think is your strength? I always love the interview because that's where you get to interact with people rather than just standing on the stage. I have a lot of fun on stage, because you know, I love to work it. But the interview is my favorite part of the whole process. You get to talk to judges, learn about them, tell them about yourself. You get the opportunity to tell them who you are and I love that. Special Thanks to Miss New York USA for the interview |