In pageants, you are evaluated from head to toe and its obviously all about looks, and as vain as that is, they can also bring you lots of opportunities to do amazing things.

Pageant makeup is so different from your day-to-day look. When you're on stage you really have to pack it on.

Modeling and pageants help me overcome feeling insecure about the way that I look and my height.

Every single model wants to be in Sports Illustrated, and I feel extremely blessed to have that opportunity.

Many girls prepare their whole lives for this one moment. For me, I see Miss USA as an opportunity to reach new and greater heights in the future.

I just try to stick to clean foods, anything grilled like salmon, chicken, fish, brown rice, and veggies. I do have a really big sweet tooth, so I try to curb my cravings with fruit instead.

I've done modeling since I was 18, but it didn't take off until I moved to Los Angeles. Modeling has always been something I've been really good at, and has been something that's helped pay bills.