00:00Joining me is Lou Parker, former Miss USA. How has the pageant evolved from your time
00:07on stage to now?
00:08Well, it's been 30 years, which is really scary to even say for myself, but in a way
00:14it hasn't evolved. It has evolved, but at the same time, we're doing the same hard work.
00:21I can see what the girls have been doing in terms of charity, taking care of themselves,
00:27self-care, and determination to set a goal and follow through with it. And that's essentially
00:33what the Miss USA pageant is about, is understanding who you are and presenting that to the world.
00:39And sitting in the judges' seat last night, I felt that. It's essentially the same. Obviously
00:46things have changed, things have evolved, but it's really nice to see that the tradition
00:52is still there.
00:53A lot of the contestants tonight might be looking to have a career in the media, and
00:57following your time as Miss USA, you've been able to have a very successful career. So
01:01how would you encourage the contestants to leverage this experience tonight to have that?
01:07I would say, well, obviously as Miss USA, doors open, and utilize that. Meet as many
01:13people as you can, and also find your purpose. Find what you enjoy, because life goes by
01:19really fast. And so if you can find a career in broadcast journalism, or if it's PR, or
01:24whatever people are wanting to do, whoever wins, is to really, I really truly believe
01:29in finding the purpose first, and then utilizing your talents and the title.
01:36Miss USA has been in the media a lot lately. There's been lots of changing of hands, undergoing
01:41different ownerships. And for better or for worse, you know, a lot of eyes are on the
01:45pageant right now. So what made you want to participate and be a part of this tonight?
01:49Because I'm a former, and I'm proud of what the years and the tradition of the years have
01:55brought to people's homes. And I think people are proud of Miss USA and the title, and they
02:03get excited at home and talk about it, and they want to pick the winner. And, you know,
02:08change is good sometimes, I think. What do they say? That change and taxes are the two
02:12things that always happen, right? And we just have to roll with that. And I wanted to be
02:17a part of this, because as a former, I'd love just to be here and represent, like,
02:22what I was and what I've become, and I hope to see that in the next winner.
02:27One more question for you. And with that said, you're going to be picking the next Miss USA
02:31tonight. That's an iconic title. What is it going to take for a woman to wear that crown?
02:36I think the main thing is confidence in themselves, self-love and confidence. And they've all
02:41done a lot of hard work, and they're all beautiful. But I think just having that confidence and
02:46knowing that, example, when I was backstage in my gown, I remember saying, make it easy
02:53for the judges. You're the one. Make it easy for them. And so the energy kind of popped.
02:58Yes. Wonderful. Thank you so much, Lou. Enjoy your night.
03:01Thank you. Thank you.
03:02Thanks.
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