Miss Florida USA Faces

» Goodbye, Miss USA - hello to NYC and TV As reign ends, Cooley's off to find more fame

"I want to jump on it while my name is out there. I love working in television, and I have all this opportunity that I need to take advantage of. It might not be here a year from now. I'm determined to establish myself in this industry." Cooley is off to a good start. She taped April episodes for NBC's game show "Deal or No Deal" (serving as a "suitcase girl") and the new "Celebrity Cooking Showdown," on which she's a contestant. "Showdown" is a five-day reality series (9 tonight, NBC) that pairs celebrities with famous chefs to see who can cook the best meal. It could end up being a comedy, she says: "I've cooked three times in the year I've been Miss USA. Take-out and room service have become my best friend." Not coincidentally, the final episode of the series airs Friday, just before NBC's 9 p.m. broadcast of the Miss USA pageant. A segment of the pageant will be devoted to Cooley's year, little of which was spent lounging around the official Miss USA suite at Trump Place in New York City. Instead, she zigzagged the globe, distributing toys to children in Louisiana displaced by Hurricane Katrina, lobbying in Japan for North Carolina's textile industry, building homes in Tennessee for Habitat for Humanity and visiting U.S. troops at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Cooley was tireless in her approach to the job, say pageant officials, noting that her promotional appearances across the country raised $22.8 million for breast- and ovarian-cancer research. She'll be a tough act to follow, says Paula Shugart, president of the Miss USA/Miss Universe organization. "People don't understand how unique this job is," says Shugart. "At the moment a winner is crowned, a group of people is back at the hotel, packing her belongings and canceling her return flight. She is told, `You're moving to New York and we're not sure when you're going home again.' This group takes over her life for a year. Chelsea was a little shell shocked at first, but she rose to the occasion."

Shugart is among those encouraging Cooley to pursue a career in television, which has become a home to many former winners. Recent successes include Miss USA 2003 Susie Castillo, a veejay for MTV's "TRL," and Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finnessey, who is a host on GSN, formerly the Game Show Network. Cooley is also trying for an acting career. She won a speaking role on the daytime drama "Passions." She played a woman being proposed to by her boyfriend.

"I had to kiss this guy, so when we got on the set, I tried getting to know him. I wanted to know his name and where he was from before I kissed him, but he wasn't the nicest of people. He was standoffish and didn't want to talk," Cooley says. "Then, when he found out that I was Miss USA, he wouldn't shut up. He was like, `Yeah, I get to kiss Miss USA!' "

After a year of having every minute planned out, Cooley says she's looking forward to a good night's sleep with no wake-up calls. She hopes to spend a few days with family and friends, including her mother, Jackie Cooley of Charlotte; her father and stepmother, Doug and Tracy Cooley of Fort Mill, S.C.; and younger brother Andrew. "I've gotten real emotional in the past couple of weeks when I think about the pageant," she says. "It's bittersweet. I worked so hard to get here, yet I'm excited to see what else is in store for me. I'm a crier, but I'm hoping I don't put on that ugly crying face (on TV) and make a big puddle."

Our Miss Florida USA 2006 Cristin Duren had plenty of support at this years national championship of pageantry. From former titleholders to cheerleading squads The Sunshine State was definitely in the house! We thought you would enjoy this pageant pictorial of what Baltimore looked like on show day with a Florida twist.

Ms. Berset and Ms. Ford (left), Marianne and Judith at the coronation ball (center) & Mrs. Donna meets a star!

Former University of Alabama Cheerleaders added to the volume and enthusiasm of the contingent!

Now that it’s official and Miss Teen USA is in Palm Springs August 15^th it’s time to start getting ready for the national championship of teen pageantry in Miss Teen USA. Unfortunately due to academic reasons our Miss Florida Teen USA was unable to attend, we thought you would enjoy these pictures of those we will see at nationals.

» Pageant News Wanted!

Are you a titleholder or at large delegate who is making appearances or doing good things in the community? We would love to tell all of the Miss Florida USA Family your story. Send pictures and updates to telair@aol.com as we feature everything Miss Florida USA on Friday’s at Faces & Places.

» Alumni News Wanted!

If you know of any Miss Florida USA alumni in the news please drop us an email to feature them in future articles. Email all info to info@missfloridausa.com! Until next week here to good pageantry!

PICTURE OF THE WEEK!

This one was easy as it is about the sisterhood that is Miss Florida USA.

The Class of 2002; 2004 and 2006 representing Florida were in the house!

Ms. Ford and Ms. Berset came to Baltimore to give support.

Anytime you get three wonderful representatives of our great state

in one picture it is Picture of The Week worthy!