April
11, 2008
FINAL
REHEARSAL THURSDAY:
REHEARSAL
PICTURES FROM THURSDAY
LauRen Merola, Miss Pennsylvania USA 2008,
rehearses with the rock band Finger Eleven
at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing
Arts in Las Vegas on April 10, 2008.
Danielle Roundtree, Miss New York USA 2008
Michelyn Cynthia Butler, Miss Wisconsin USA 2008
Mary Lee Horch, Miss Oregon USA 2008
Amanda Kozak, Miss Georgia USA 2008; Jessica Rafalowski, Miss Florida USA 2008; Chelsey Sophia Rodgers, Miss District Of Columbia USA 2008; and Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, Miss Delaware USA 2008, meet Donald Trump during a break in rehearsals
QUESTION AND ANSWERS WITH DONNY & MARIE OSMOND
It's been eight years since Donny and Marie have hosted a prime-time
special together and the third time they're hosting a pageant contest.
The two most famous of all the Osmond’s
took a few minutes to chat about Miss USA, how to raise good kids and why a
"Mr. USA Pageant" would never work.
What are you looking for in a Miss USA?
Marie: It's more than a beauty contest because they go on to the Miss Universe
Pageant, so they're kind of an ambassador for this country. So hopefully
they're articulate.
What's your favorite part of the
pageant?
Donny: The best moment is the very end. I mean, when it gets right down to the
wire because you know how hard they've all worked to get to this point.
Marie: I really like the evening gown category. I just like to see the grace. I
like to see what they come up with as far as fashion.
What advice do you have for the
contestants?
Donny: Don't take it too seriously. Have a good time. Just enjoy it, enjoy the
process, enjoy the 15 minutes of fame.
Is it exciting to be doing live TV?
Donny: That's why I love doing these shows. Anything can happen. I remember an
incident when we were doing another pageant show ... we made a costume change
during the commercial break. You had two minutes to get everything changed so
we were in a rush. Well, I forgot to zip up my fly. Marie knew everything
about it. She saw it, but she didn't tell me during the commercial break. We
went, 'Three, two, one' and we start. And Marie just says, 'Oh, by the way,
Donny, your fly is down.' Live television. So rest assured, this time around
I'll be checking the fly.
How do you think your sister did on
'Dancing with the Stars'?
Donny: I thought she did a fantastic job and I think she could've won. I think
(going on the show) was a fantastic resurgence of her career.
Marie, are you still dancing and working
out?
Marie: Of course I'm working out. I feel good. I figured I put on about 5
pounds every year for over eight years. To have that 40 plus pounds off now, I
mean, I feel fantastic. I feel younger than ever. Life isn't over in your
forties. It's just beginning.
What gives you more joy - making dolls
or performing?
Marie: A doll is a doll unless you put heart and meaning behind it. The reason
that I do it is because it brings generations together. I think that same
thing applies in doing a show because hopefully at the end they applaud. (But)
it's great to be compensated, especially when you have eight kids and you're
divorced.
What advice do you have for single moms?
Marie: If you ask a busy mother to take an hour out of her day, make it worth
it. It's crucial for women to fill their well because you cannot serve from an
empty well. I try to find at least a half hour a day where I can just sit and
whether it's walking or whatever it is, reading - where I can just take that
time for me because it really helps.
Give us some helpful parenting tips.
Donny: Get out of the way and listen. You got to listen. (Kids) have opinions,
too. We have what's called family night and we allow our children a voice. We
hear them out and listen to them. And we have fun together. That's the bottom
line. You just have to have a good time and allow them a voice in the family
so their self-esteem grows.
Marie: I heard an interesting statistic and I agree with Donny 100 percent.
Listening, I think, is the most important. But they said for every time you
critique a child, you should have 10 positive affirmations for every one
critique.
You recently spoke with 'American Idol'
contestant David Archuleta. What words of advice did you give him?
Donny: I think he can have an amazing career. It's an exciting ride that he's
going on. He's got to ride that wave as long as possible and then reinvent
himself.
Would a Mr. USA Pageant work?
Marie: The problem is women are gracious with each other and if somebody wins
and the other one loses, the loser still goes up and says, 'Oh,
congratulations. I'm so happy for you.' The guy would look at the other guy
and go, 'Are you kidding me? He sucks.' There's just not that congeniality
thing with men.
CATCHING
UP WITH MISS FLORIDA USA
Today is the day and our
Miss Florida USA Jessica Rafalowski is ready to rock! After the final marathon
rehearsal that went well past 10:00pm Thursday night it was off to bed quickly
for that last night of sleep. Today she is up early and preparing for a dress
rehearsal at noon and then the 6:00pm local time show and telecast.
Our Florida contingent is
in full attendance as well over twenty Floridians attended rehearsals
yesterday. Look for a loud group of supporters this evening as we pursue our
national pageant championship. Tomorrow we will have the full results with
pictures from the event and coronation ball. A great evening of pageantry
awaits in Las Vegas and we will bring it all back to you manana!
FASHION
ROCKS THE UNIVERSE:
Well over 20 former Miss
USA® state titleholders conducted a fashion show
Thursday night at The
Hawaiian Tropic Zone adjacent to Planet Hollywood Thursday Night. The show
featured fashions by Syrup Swimwear, YMI Jeans and Sherri Hill Gowns. The
event also featured a red carpet entrance and attendance by 42 Miss Teen USA
2008 Titleholders. Of course our Miss Florida Teen USA 2008 Jillian Wunderlich
was in the house.
A percentage of money collected from entry donations and the silent auction
went go to the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation, which provides underprivileged
children with new shoes and other necessities. Their signature event, the
Goodie Two Shoes Giveaway, provides over 1,500 disadvantaged children with new
shoes, socks, backpacks, school supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, t-shirts,
lunch and more every October.
On the catwalk
in the sky the models display their evenings t-shirts
Miss Kansas Teen
USA and Miss California Teen USA on stage
Miss Wunderlich
with Miss Georgia Teen USA after hitting the walk way
Outside awaiting
the Red Carpet Entrance
Fashion was on display all evening
GETTING
TO KNOW: MISS MASSACHUSETTES USA
FREETOWN — She has
already met Donny Osmond and a meeting with The Donald is on the horizon. But
that’s only part of the excitement for Assonet resident Jacqueline Bruno,
Miss Massachusetts, as she prepares to compete Friday night in the Miss USA
pageant.
“Everything is going really, really well. I’m not nervous
at all. I am just going to go out there and be myself and showcase what I am
all about,” Ms. Bruno said Wednesday.
For the past two weeks,
Ms. Bruno and the other contestants have had a busy and exciting schedule.
Rehearsals start at 7
a.m. daily and go on well into the evening, she said. Plus, there are plenty
of family and friends on hand to cheer her on.
Pageant organizers have
also filled the nights with shows, visits to a club and parties, as well as an
event during which contestants spent time with people who are developmentally
disabled.
Ms. Bruno, 23, said she
has enjoyed meeting people from all over the country.
“I haven’t met
Donald Trump yet, but I have met Donny Osmond. He is really cool and a very
attractive person. I will also be meeting his sister, Marie, because they are
going to be hosting the show,” Ms. Bruno said.
A 2002 graduate of
Freetown-Lakeville’s Apponequet Regional High School, Ms. Bruno has a
bachelor of science degree from Boston University in broadcast journalism with
a minor in political science.
The statuesque Ms.
Bruno, who is 5’10”, is currently a print and runway model and host of New
England TV on New England.com.
Asked about her chances
of winning, Ms. Bruno — a third runner-up for Miss Teen USA several years
ago — indicated that she did very well in the preliminaries and would love
to win the title of Miss USA 2008.
“I want the judges to
know that I have a strong, long-standing appreciation for the history of the
Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants,” she said. “If awarded the title of
Miss USA, I would be living a lifelong dream; each day would be cherished and
every moment would be appreciated,” said Ms. Bruno, in an interview with
pageant judges.