Behind the Scenes...
When I was crowned Miss New Jersey USA 2008, Michelle was crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2008 and so began our unique and special journey together as “pageant sisters.” What a truly memorable and amazing journey it was, from fashion shows to the Polar Bear Plunge, we did it all!
When Jackie decided to leave Crown Catchers to focus on beauty and image consulting, I thought who better to be my partner than my “sister”, Michelle Leonardo. Michelle is one of the most amazing young women I have had the privilege to know. She is a fierce competitor, extremely motivated, multi-faceted, and a genuinely good person. We make a good team because we share many of the same core values.
Michelle won her first pageant at the age of 5!! She walked in, won over the judges' hearts and stole the show. Michelle has since won Miss New Jersey USA title and Miss New Jersey Teen USA on her first try! An accomplishment unmatched in Miss New Jersey USA pageant history. It’s obvious she is a winner, and knows EXACTLY what it takes to win a pageant.
A look into Miss New York USA 2014
As for me, I was not quite as lucky as Michelle. I, like many others who compete in pageants had many trials and tribulations before I finally reached my goal. I competed in 3 pageants before I won in 2008, each time finishing in the top 5. I never gave up hope and worked harder each time knowing that my goal was so close. With the losses I was able to really evaluate my methods and training. I reached that goal in 2008 becoming Miss New Jersey USA, and finished second runner up at Miss USA, (New Jersey’s highest placement since 1991!)
Together, we bring an unmatched level of experience and passion in and for this industry. We have competed on the biggest stages and have been successful doing it. Our experience has provided us with all the right tools to be able to pass along our knowledge as pageant coaches. The experience we shared as titleholders is truly precious to us and can only be understood by those in the sisterhood.
I am so excited to have my “sister” by my side as we embark on yet another journey through the pageant world together, this time as business partners in our new concept titled Beauty Marked. We hope to leave the same stamp on the pageant world that we did together back in 2008. I hope you all share in my excitement as well! Check out this collage of pictures from 2008. Talk about a trip down memory lane!!
From Pageant Sisters to Business Partners
Just left Miss New York USA pageant and it was my first pageant experience in over six months since I was away in Europe traveling! What a treat it was. Cindy Provost and Debbie Miller, who were my pageant directors are now producing New York USA for the first time and it was an absolutely amazing production in every way. The lights, set, and live entertainment were great. What I thought was really cool about the pageant this year was the amazing unique gowns. So many girls tried different trends and colors and lots of girls even wore cultural threads which was really refreshing. Competition was fierce in swimsuit as always in the miss division. People who think pageants are for weak minded individuals have no idea what goes into training for a pageant. I think those people should actually go to a pageant and see the discipline that goes into just the fitness portion alone! In the Miss division there were over 150 contestants so I do not envy the job the judges have ahead of them. They have in their hands the fate of a young woman's life who they can change forever. I hope they make the right decision! Miss New York USA was a great homecoming after being away for so long and missing my own state pageant. I love being part of such a special sisterhood and these pageants are a great way to stay connected to these strong beautiful women I get to call my sisters and friends. I wish I could be there tomorrow for the crowning, but I will just have to wait patiently for the results. Good luck to everyone competing and goodnight.
Xo, T
Check out some photos of my favorite gowns
