When it comes to beauty contests and international exposure, Connecticut has usually been at the short end of the runway. But mark your calendars for Saturday, Nov. 9, at 9 p.m. on NBC because that's when Connecticut's Erin Brady, Miss USA, will be making her mark at the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow.
The Portland High School graduate, who lives in South Glastonbury, is in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, Russia for the 62nd Miss Universe pageant that airs on Nov. 9 from the Crocus City Hall there. For the past two weeks Brady has been rehearsing, attending special events and preparing for the preliminary competition and the televised pageant, making time for some sightseeing and a little clubbing. But through it all she has remained confident and calm, characteristics that quickly catapulted her from state to international pageant fame.
"I'm having a blast and would like to bring back-to-back Miss Universe titles to the United States," she said, referring to the current Miss Universe, Olivia Culpa, a former Miss Rhode Island, who will step down when Saturday night, when a new Miss Universe is named. "I am confident," said the 25-year-old accountant who worked for Prudential Retirement when she won the Miss USA title. "I think the Miss USA pageant has familiarized me with competing, and I am ready to represent an entire country, not just Connecticut."
The 25-year-old, who graduated from Central Connecticut State University, did not go to Moscow empty-handed. Brady brought gifts for her 85 fellow contestants — Miss Universe ear warmers — that can be seen in some of the pictures of the contestants in Moscow.
She is already getting more than her fair share of attention in Moscow. Pictures of her red, white and blue "Transformers" inspired outfit for the National Costume Show were immediately posted on a variety of wire services, and she reportedly has the highest number of Twitter followers (77,575) among the pageant contestants.
Although her days are 14 hours long and more as the pageant preliminaries get underway, Brady still found some time between rehearsals, appearances and social obligations to talk.
Q: What has the biggest surprise been so far in Moscow?
A: Honestly, I thought it was going to be much colder but we have actually had beautiful days. We were able to go last Saturday to Red Square and St. Basil's. There are so many amazing sites to see. For the past couple days we have been rehearsing a lot. We had a full day of rehearsals and then I went to a hockey game today. I actually just got back here to do some interviews and now we are going to a nightclub.
Q: Are people treating you all like celebrities?
A: Security is very tight. There is not a place we go that people don't stop to watch us. There is a lot of Russian press about us and our media team. I definitely feel like a celebrity.
Q: How will we know which one is you when we tune in on Saturday night?
A: Oh you'll know me. My gown is red.
Q: Everyone is already trying to predict who will make the final cut on Saturday night. What can Connecticut do for you?
A: They can go onto missuniverse.com and vote for me to be placed in the semi-finals as part of the online component of the competition, and then continue to vote for me. And please follow my journey on Saturday at 9 p.m. on NBC. (Online voting continues through Nov. 8)
Q: Will you be tweeting and updating Facebook this week and on Saturday night?
A: We have limited wifi but you can follow me on Facebook at Erin Brady and on Twitter at @missusa. The preliminaries beginning Tuesday night will be streamed at missuniverse.com. And you can follow me on Instagram.
Q: What is your biggest asset going into this competition?
A: I think competing in Miss USA has familiarized me with competing in a pageant. And I know I have a lot of supporters. And I am very aware that I am representing our country now, not just my state.
Q: Who is there with you?
A: My fiancé, Tony Capasso is coming this week along with a couple of my friends. My grandparents will be watching form home.
Q: Speaking of your fiancé, you were supposed to be getting married on Nov. 9 until you won the Miss USA title and headed for Moscow. Has it been worth putting the wedding gown in the closet and taking out the red evening gown instead?
A: This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and there are girls who would have killed to be in my shoes. I am honored.
Q: How can you take this experience forward in your life?
A: I have had the pleasure of meeting 85 other women, and learned a lot about their cultures and language and how pageants are done in other countries. I have learned about developing and embracing relationships and trusting and supporting each other.
Q: If you don't win, then what?
A: Then I go back to New York City and serve my year as Miss USA.
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