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Q+A: Miss USA Olivia Jordan and Miss Universe Organization CEO Paula Shugart
TOM DONOGHUE / DONOGHUEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
2015 Miss Universe Pageant national costumes Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at Axis at Planet Hollywood. 2015 Miss USA Olivia Jordan is pictured here.
Thursday, June 2, 2016 | 2 a.m.
Robin Leach, Olivia Jordan and Paula Shugart
Robin Leach and Donald Trump.
It’s certainly not a man’s world when it comes to the business of pageants. It’s run by the ladies for the glamour girls.
The preliminary competition for the 2016 Miss USA Pageant, where 52 contestants were cut to the final 15 for Sunday’s Fox telecast from our new T-Mobile Arena, was Wednesday night.
Check back later today for a report, photos and videos from the prelims.
I talked with Paula Shugart, CEO of the Miss Universe Organization, which also oversees Miss USA, and Miss USA Olivia Jordan of Oklahoma, who relinquishes her crown and title Sunday.
Videographer Richard Corey posted a video of our conversations on YouTube.
Paula, how does the 2016 group of hopefuls compare with previous years?
There’s some pretty “uncutable” women again, ones who should all be finalists. Again, we have a lot who want to pursue careers in law and want to get involved with politics.
More and more every year, I see women wanting to stand and have a voice and really make sure that they represent themselves. We have a university professor and a member of the armed forces, too.
Brains and beauty?
It’s always about brains and beauty because there’s nothing more beautiful than a beautiful brain.
You look back over the last 24 months, they were a little tempestuous, and Donald Trump, the former owner of Miss USA and Miss Universe, became the official nominee for the Republican presidential campaign. Does all of that seem a long way away, long gone in the past?
We were just talking about that on the way here. When you think of a year ago, it was just about 12 months ago that he kicked off his official campaign. It’s been a crazy year, but it does seem like a long, long time ago.
He’s been so focused on what he’s doing, and we’ve been focused with our new owners on what we are doing. It definitely is a little surreal. I can’t even really put my finger on it. It’s very surreal. He’s the man I worked for — for 15 years.
We both know him well — more than 25 years for me. How do you feel about him running for president?
I’ve tended to stay out of the whole thing. In politics in general, I’ve always stayed out. He kicked off his official run, led a great campaign for the last year, which started out with 17 of them, and nobody thought he would end up where he did.
So it’s pretty amazing what he achieved — I think it shows that people are tired of politics as usual.
It’s almost like a pageant in itself, isn’t it? He got rid of 17 opponents, and now he’s Mr. USA.
You’re absolutely right. Somebody just said that to me. They said, “Well, you know, you started at a final 15, and then he won it.” I said you’re absolutely right. I haven’t thought of it that way. Luckily, no swimsuit competition!
Do you have changes planned for this show? No Steve Harvey this year?
Steve Harvey is not doing Miss USA, but obviously we really have a lot more resources at IMG. We’re able to tap into that. We’ve selected a Miss 52 for the first time from almost 1,000 applicants. One person was selected on the Internet to get a chance to compete. That’s something that’s brand new.
We now have a new Miss Universe app, so viewers will be able to act as the extra judge throughout the entire telecast. They’re going to have a say in the final result. I’m very excited. I am looking forward to it.
MISS USA OLIVIA JORDAN
For Olivia, her reign as Miss USA ends Sunday. Olivia placed second runner-up in the Miss Universe Pageant hosted by Steve last December at Axis at Planet Hollywood.
The schedule for Jennifer Lopez’s resident show “All I Have” didn’t allow sufficient “empty” days for Miss USA officials to return to Axis, so the pageant is at T-Mobile Arena.
Olivia turns over her title and tiara to the winner Sunday.
What is in the water in Oklahoma, as there are three of you here?
It’s the most surreal feeling that there are three of us here. We were all in the Top Three together when I competed for Miss Oklahoma, and I was lucky enough to take the crown that day.
But all three of us made it to the Miss USA stage, and that makes me proud to be from Oklahoma.
So the girl who was voted Miss 52 elected to take your place when you went off for your year as Miss USA, and that disqualified her from actually competing in the pageant?
Yes. When I was crowned Miss USA, there was an opening as Miss Oklahoma, and the first runner-up, Alex Miller, she wanted to step up and represent Oklahoma. There were causes very close to her heart, and she wanted to be active in there when I couldn’t be because I was traveling.
She stepped up, but then doing that, she wasn’t able to compete the next year. She forfeited her chance, and here we go. The stars have aligned, and she was voted here via the Internet.
I feel like it says something about destiny because, even — it’s just amazing to have all three of us here, and Brie Gabriel from Florida. Once upon a time, we lived in California together. We were Top Three together, and here she is on the Miss USA stage. So, I’m just saying, I don’t know if I’m a good luck charm or …
Twelve months of your reign come to an end. How bittersweet is it?
It is so bittersweet, absolutely. I can’t think of a better word. This is the end of a wonderful chapter of my life. My entire life changed. I’m so grateful for the experience, the lessons, the challenges I had this year. I’m grateful for all of it, and it’s been a huge blessing.
I’ve met people, I’ve traveled all over, and I’ve been able to hopefully inspire people and use my voice for good. Moving forward, I am excited to have my freedom to pursue my passion. I now jump back into the real world and act — hopefully book a role. Hollywood looms, yes, absolutely.
A final question: Remember when you were competing against the 51 last year? Take a look at these 52 today. How do they compare with your pageant competition a year ago?
This organization never fails to impress me. You got the top of the top each year, and the states are very competitive. The girl who wins has definitely stepped up and accomplished a huge thing, so here we go again. It’s another amazing group.
Do you think you would have come out on top of this group?
My year was the most competitive year ever! I think that’s what we’re supposed to say?!
https://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2016/jun/02/qa-miss-usa-olivia-jordan-miss-universe-ceo-paula-/
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