Giuliana Rancic and Thomas Roberts – Miss USA

By starrymag | June 8, 2014

Q) One of these contestants, their lives are forever going to change after Sunday night and they are going basically from anonymity to becoming a world famous celebrity. For you, Giuliana, having gone yourself from being a journalist to a celebrity whose life has basically been under the microscope, what kind of advice can you give to the next Miss USA?

Giuliana: I think having interviewed celebrities for 12 years I always say that when you sit down with a celebrity you can tell right off the bat if they’re still on planet Earth or if they have checked out of planet Earth. And sometimes, being in Hollywood long enough, it’s not hard to check out of planet Earth where you just become totally unrelatable. Like everyone, you have someone going to the grocery store for you, you have someone running your errands for you and the next thing you know you haven’t stepped foot into a dry cleaner in five years. That is something that is not of any interest to me. I would never want to live my life like that and I always think to myself — and by no means am I a big celebrity but I always think to myself no matter how busy I get, no matter how many TV shows I do, don’t forget go to the dry cleaner, go to the grocery store, pump your own gas. You have to stay on planet Earth and you can’t lose sight of who you are and what is really important in this world. And that’s what I would tell the young lady who gets crowned on Sunday night is no matter where this journey leads you, no matter how famous you get, remain on planet Earth and just remember what is really important in this world. And it’s not about being on television and about flashbulbs on a red carpet. It’s about giving back and always staying close to the people that are important in your life like your family and friends.

Q) For both of you, what do you see as the main relevancy of pageants today? What is the best way that these girls can use this to their best advantage?

Thomas: I think this really segues nicely off of what Giuliana was saying about the person whoever wins staying and remaining authentic. And I think that’s going to come through, we’ll see that on Sunday evening with these young women who are the complete package. But it’s that authenticity of the platform that they want to represent. And winning Miss USA, that does skyrocket you to a whole new level where you can follow through on the platform of what you want to try to make a difference. And you can utilize this overnight crown to do that. So I think that we’re going to see a lot of remarkable women on that stage on Sunday night. Obviously only one can win but they have to recognize the fact that they will have this wonderful opportunity to make a difference in so many people’s lives. So it’s a remarkable journey that one lady is about to go on.

Giuliana: I mean, winning the crown, becoming Miss USA gives you this incredible platform to make a difference. And not only is the woman who gets crowned beautiful and look great in a swimsuit and great in an evening gown but there’s always more to the winner and that usually lays within her platform and what she is hoping to do with this crown. And that’s what is so great about winning this. I think a lot of people look at beauty pageants as frivolous but they aren’t. I mean, so many of these girls go on to do really good things and help a lot of people. And I’m sure that will be the case when we crown the new winner on Sunday night.

Q) Giuliana, could you talk a little bit about what your beauty routine is before you do a show like this? And is there pressure? I mean, you always look amazing on all the red carpets and on E! but is there a certain routine before you do this kind of show?

Giuliana: There is a little more pressure with this one than some of the red carpet shows that I do and the big award shows because this one, what I try to do especially now that it’s a three hour format, we have never done that before so this is a three hour show. And so I’m going to be doing a wardrobe change every hour. And wardrobe change doesn’t sound like a big deal but when it’s a gown and changing a hairstyle and jewelry, there’s a lot that can go wrong. And in fact I think it was a year or two ago while I was hosting Miss USA my zipper completely broke as we were zipping it up. So I had to go back into the dress that I had on before. And it’s just the little things. I mean, there’s a bit of drama behind that curtain which by the way it’s not a room, it is a curtain backstage that we’re dressing behind. But there are definitely more fittings because I’m getting three gowns as opposed to one or two that I normally do on the red carpet shows. So I have a big fitting this Thursday where my stylist (Monica Rose) will bring in about 30 gowns to choose from. We’ll narrow it down to three and so I’ll be checking in a lot of bags when I head over to Louisiana. I’ll have a lot of gowns with me, a lot of shoes and jewelry with me and Monica is coming as well so at least I’ll have help.

Q) Do you have a routine where you’re like, “I have to fit in a facial now and a mani,” and do you have all that kind of pressure as a working mom considering all that beauty stuff too?

Giuliana: I have to say I probably – the extent of that these days being a mom and being a career woman is a mani. I guarantee mani, I can’t guarantee pedicure just because it’s just so much easier. There’s so much going on right now and life has been pretty busy. So I’ll definitely get a nice manicure because we’re holding mikes on stage and the camera is pretty tight on us. And tonight I am just freshening up my hair color, getting some highlights and that’s pretty much the extent of it. But back in the day, when I was first doing the red carpets and doing some of these bigger shows, I would make sure that I got facials and hit the gym and that sort of thing. But once you have a baby your life changes for the better obviously but it’s definitely a lot busier and I have a lot less time to go to the salon, that’s for sure.

Q) Have you ever been in one of those gowns and your son started to spit up? Have you had any snafus like that?

Giuliana: No, I mean there’s always this weekend. Never – no not really. Duke is pretty great. I mean, the only thing is maybe I think it was at the Oscars this past year I was walking out of the hotel room and he was there with me and he had been eating something like ice cream and he put his hand on my dress, but about five people jumped in front of him. It was like Secret Service like my hair and makeup and wardrobe girls, and they jumped – it was like I was the president and they were Secret Service. It was hilarious. I’m like, “Guys, it’s not a bullet. It’s a hand with some Jell-O on it. I mean, it’s fine.” But it’s very funny stuff. We all got a good laugh out of it.

Q) What advice would you give the girls if they stumble on stage, how could they overcome that?

Thomas: that all boils down to their character and how they’re going to shine. I think there is a genuine “it” factor and Giuliana can talk to this too because she has had the opportunity to co-host more of these. But there’s a genuine “it” factor that comes through on camera and on stage with these young women. So I think it’s just going to boil down to the character, what they have to offer, and if it’s their moment to shine it’s going to be their moment to shine. It’s just – it’s all about that timing of the moment.

Giuliana: Yes, I mean, I think that my advice to those women and I talk to them beforehand and I always say that I remember years and years ago when I was a little girl and I used to watch the Miss USA, Miss Universe pageant. I remember Miss Universe one year ended being up Venezuela, like no surprise there, Venezuela wins quite often. But I’ll never forget when she was in her evening gown competition and she came out and she had this great strut and she was kind of flipping her hair around and her earring went flying off and it was so noticeable. And instead of getting like having this horrified look on her face or oh no, what should I do, should I bend down and pick it up, she just started hysterically laughing and was like – just drew attention to it and was like did my – like kind of mouthing like my earring fell off and like grabbed it and put it back on and kept walking. And she won. And I think what was – it was just nice to see that, it was very refreshing to see a woman who trips or an earring falls off and she can recovers quickly and just laugh it off and not look horrified.

Thomas: This happens all the time in live television. It’s never about the mistake, it’s always about the recovery. Because mistakes are going to happen, those wild moments like that perfect earring example is going to happen and it’s about being able to roll with the punches and adapt. And if you can show that genuine humor and humility and that, you know, stride in your character of being able to roll with the punches, that’s all about the recovery. And people love that.

Q) Do you both have any girls that you’re rooting for or looking forward to seeing this year?

Giuliana: We’re both from Maryland so I’m sure we’ll be checking out Maryland. But no, I mean, there’s really no one in particular. I like to wait until I get there. I love to talk to the girls. We have a lot of down time during rehearsals so I love to, you know, kind of get to know the girls. I actually was in two Miss Maryland USA pageants. Never won, never got even close to winning. So but I love pageants and I empathize with the girls. And so I love chatting with them and talking to them and hearing what their fears are, what they’re excited about. So we get to know them, but we never reveal if we have any favorites during the show obviously but I’m definitely looking forward to Maryland.

Q) This year’s show is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is kind of a change of pace. It’s usually in Vegas and Jersey and places like that typically. What is this change of scenery going to bring to the pageant?

Giuliana: It’s interesting, you know. I’m excited. I’ve never been to Baton Rouge and I’ve been to New Orleans but never been to Baton Rouge and I hear great things about it. I’ve only done the pageants out of Las Vegas for the past several years. And when I heard it was going to be in Louisiana I just got so excited. There’s just going to be a different energy there. I just think that there will be – I don’t know, I think there will be – a pageant like this just brings so much excitement any city it goes to. But Vegas has already so much excitement to begin with, you know what I mean? Like everywhere you look in Vegas there is some giant glitzy show happening on a stage. And I think the people of Baton Rouge are going to be really excited. I think they’re going to welcome the show with open arms and I’m certainly very excited about going.

Thomas: the only time I’ve been to Baton Rouge is when I was flying through when I working for CNN going to cover Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and Baton Rouge was the only place you could fly into. So I’m looking forward to going back and really getting to learn about the rich history that the city has to offer. I think the people are going to be fantastic and as Giuliana was saying, you know, a show with this level of entertainment and excitement, you know, doesn’t come to Baton Rouge that often. So I think the people there are going to fill the house that night, are going to love the show that’s going to be put on.

Q) Can you guys tell me a little bit about the new three hour format, like what that entails exactly?

Giuliana: Yes from what I hear it’s going to be super exciting. Like I said it is the first time they’re doing this. And I think what they found was that a lot of people wanted in two hours to get to know so many women, 51 women is tough. And so they have expanded it to three hours so that they could devote more time to actually going to the hometown of the women and seeing them in their element and seeing their friends and family and really seeing who these women are. I mean, it’s one thing to see them on stage in a swimsuit or an evening gown but I don’t think you really capture the essence of a woman until you see her in her hometown, at home with her family around the dinner table. So we’ll be seeing more of that which I love because that – I felt that was always lacking when I was a kid. And I just wanted to see really more of these girls that I was idolizing on the TV screen. So we’ll be showing more of that. And then the performances I hear are going to be pretty incredible. I mean, Florida Georgia Line? There’s no one bigger than that right now. And with Nelly, I mean, it’s going to be pretty incredible. So I think it’s going to be an action packed three hour show. It’s going to be great.

Thomas: The other great point, Giuliana talked about seeing the ladies in their hometown. And this is interactive so that people at home can feel like they’re a part of the show because of the #savethequeen. They’re going to be able to make sure that someone is saved through the process. And I think getting to know these women, their back stories, their lives are only – that’s only going to help connect them to the viewers at home for potentially one of them that gets to move along in the process because of it.

Q) So there very well could be like our winner could be someone that they save live on the show?

Thomas: It’s going to happen during the evening gown competition where through Twitter in order to save the sixth spot in the final question round viewers are going to be able to tweet using the #savethequeen. So I think the background stories of what we’re going to see of these women and get to learn about them, that’s going to go the extra mile to help potentially crown the next Miss USA. Sort of like Giuliana was saying, we’re at home and you’re watching this and you want to be a judge. You want to help push along your favorite contestant. Well now you truly have the opportunity with this feedback and the #savethequeen.

Q) Talking about this, current Miss USA Erin Brady is looking to get into TV hosting, red carpet interviewing, stuff like that. What would be some advice that you would give her with both of you being in the industry?

Giuliana: Well I will say Erin has done a really nice job this year. In fact I worked closely with – I work closely with a breast cancer initiative called Bright Pink and I was excited that Erin got involved with Bright Pink. And she has really done a lot for them and a lot for the cause, a lot for educating young women who are going through breast cancer. Also just educating young women who don’t have breast cancer about breast cancer and how to prevent it. And it’s a real testament to what a girl can do with this crown and I think Erin is a great example of someone who really utilized the crown for good. So my advice to Erin, she is a beautiful girl, she’s very ambitious, she’s so, so sweet. So I would say just go for it honey and be yourself and don’t try to fit a mold. So oftentimes I see it all the time, young women will come to the entertainment news shows and they want – they try to fit a mold. They look at the anchor of the show and they’ll go okay I should act like her and dress like her and talk like her and cut my hair like her. And that’s the opposite of what you should be doing, you know? They already have her. So if they’re going to get someone new they probably want someone who has their own thing going. And so my thing to her would be just be yourself. You’re a winner to begin with, you’ve come so far already that just keep that going and ride that wave.

Thomas: I think Erin first of all is great, she’s lovely. I got to meet her in Russia and I really am a fan of her work, what she has done professionally as Miss USA and also personally. I think she really embodies all the qualities of such a perfect Miss USA. But to Giuliana’s point about going in and being yourself and being unique, that’s all completely valid and important. And also for anybody that is looking to potentially use this opportunity as a catalyst in their career and moving forward, it doesn’t take away actually pouring in the hard work. And Giuliana knows this, it looks very glamorous on the front end on the TV side of things when you’re out there on the red carpets or doing these interviews. But man, it is tough work and you shouldn’t take into account what goes on behind the scenes lightly and all the talented people that are working behind the scenes. So earn your Army stripes. I’m a big fan of people that earn their Army stripes in younger markets and they come up through the ranks. Because nobody can take that experience away from you. No one can devalue it when you earn it on your own.

Q) What is your routine before hosting a show that is very specifically centered on beautiful women basically?

Giuliana: Well yes, you want to kind of hold your own up there. I mean, listen I can’t compete with these gorgeous 20-something girls on the Miss USA stage. But I can certainly get a spray tan and try on my own, get a little tan going, make sure my highlights are looking fresh, get a good manicure. That’s really it. But no, I mean, I’m joking. It’s more about just – really it’s about them. I mean, I’ve got to be honest. It’s not about us shining. Of course, we want to look our best and we will try to look our best. But it’s really about them and letting them have their moment. But yes, I mean, it’s a lot of dress fittings for me and three wardrobe changes, three different evening gowns during live TV is pretty nerve wracking. So that’s really it, just making sure I have a good manicure and my dresses – that the zippers are working on all the dresses. Those are the two most important things.

Thomas: I brush my teeth so I have really fresh breath for Giuliana. And I’m also going to make sure that I have some mints in my pocket too just in case. But no, my job is to be prepared, be ready to go, and have fun with Giuliana and make sure that as Giuliana is saying that these women shine and that their personalities and their winning qualities show through. So I think, I mean, I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to working with Giuliana. I can only hope that there is some crazy drama behind the scenes of buttons snapping and dress drama so that I can twitter photographs and laugh with Giuliana about it. I think she just – those are the moments where you bond and you actually have fun when a crisis happens. I think we’re going to probably be nervous a couple of times because these live shows are always fun like that. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for the world because they’re the ones that you look back, will look back and laugh and have the best time thinking about those moments. But no, I’m going to shower, I’m going to brush my teeth, I’m going to put some gel in my hair, and ready to rock and roll.

Q) Do either of you have any idea if there is any on-site kind of fitness focus at all? I mean, obviously there is a swimsuit aspect so I would imagine the girls have been working on whatever they need to work on to be in a swimsuit in front of everybody. But is there like on-site trainers or like a smoothie bar, anything that is in the focus?

Giuliana: The only thing I know is just from being at the Miss USA pageant last year and years before is they really – I remember running into the girls in the elevator or in the lobby and they were on the way to the gym. But I never saw any of the girls with trainers. They kind of were doing it themselves. I think you get that far in this competition, as far as at the state level and then to get to this level, I think they’re pretty self sufficient especially when it comes to fitness. Because swimsuit is a big part of it. And so a lot of them gosh, I mean, they could be trainers. I mean, like these girls are, I mean, I’ve seen them in the gym some of these girls and I’m like wow. I mean, they’re pretty incredible. So no I’ve never seen a trainer.

Thomas: We can have them take us to the gym.

Giuliana: I might need that seriously. I have not been hitting the gym at all. So yes, they know that that’s a big part of it and they want to look amazing so I’m sure they’re in the gym every day. But I’ve never seen a trainer with these girls. They can do their own hair and makeup, like they’re very self sufficient, these girls.

 

*CONFERENCE CALL*