When Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart talks about her three titleholders, she’s always full of enthusiasm. But when mentioning reigning Miss Teen USA Stormi Bree Henley, Paula pauses and laughs. Because, as she says, Stormi is simply that kind of girl—one who is born to make people laugh. And while she’s a natural comedienne and actress, Stormi’s heart has recently shifted focus to her music.
When she crowns her successor on July 24 at the Paradise Island Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, she’ll find herself in a new situation come July 25. For the first time in a year, she’ll be back on her own without the responsibilities and privileges that her year as Miss Teen USA have awarded her. She’s determined to become a successful country music singer, and with her roots in Tennessee, talent, passion, and the dedication she’s shown for her platforms and crown, we’ve got a good feeling she may be gracing the big stage before she even knows it.
Pageantry magazine: Miss Teen USA is coming up on July 24 from the Paradise Island Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. What are some of your memories from when you competed last year?
Stormi Bree Henley: We only got to go outside for about two hours when I was there. When we did get to go outside, it was so hot and humid, but it was so much fun. We went on the Aquaventure, which was so much fun. The entire thing was rehearsals, and we ate breakfast, lunch and dinner together.
PM: Since you only had a few days in the Bahamas on your last trip, what are you looking forward to about your return this time?
SH: I suspect I’ll be in a lot of rehearsals again, because there’s a good chance I’m performing this year. But I’m looking forward to spending about three hours outside this time.
PM: A lot of people visit the Miss Teen USA web site (missteenusa.com) and we’ve noticed that you have a video blog. Can you tell us about some of the things that you blog about?
SH: I’m really goofy when I do my video blogs, because it gives me a chance to be myself and show off my silly side. But I talk about some of the red carpets and the events that I go to, the charities that I work with, and kind of what happens day-to-day in my life.
PM: One of your goals was to become an actress. Have you received any training as Miss Teen USA?
SH: I have. As Miss Teen USA, I won a $100,000 scholarship to go to the New York Film Academy for acting, and I’ve received a lot of training all year, in a lot of different courses. And I might become an actress, but I think I’m leaning toward country music now.
PM: As a singer, have you received any training in that regard?
SH: I’ve always been in talent shows all my life. I won a Dollywood competition when I was 12 years old, and I’ve recorded a little bit in the studios. I’ve recorded my song for Miss Teen USA—the backtrack—and I’ve put vocals on it, so when I’m done I can give some demos out. |
|
PM: This has been a whirlwind year for you. What are some of the highlights you can look back upon and say, “I can never forget this”?
SH: I was sent to a race for a charity called YAI. It’s not one of my charities, but it was an awesome event—so much fun and so involved. It’s helping mentally challenged people, and growing up I’ve always worked with special ed, as I took eight classes in high school so I would be able to mentor. This charity deals with the mentally challenged, but they also deal with what they do after high school. In Tennessee, you’re only allowed to go to high school until you’re 22, if you’re in the special ed program. It was really sad watching my students leave and not have anywhere to go after. They would sit in homes with people who would take care of them but wouldn’t jog their minds. YAI gives them fun events to go to with people to hang out with. It was a great event, very fulfilling.
PM: Miss Teen USA is a glamourous title. What are some of the red carpet events that you’ve attended?
SH: I went to the Best Buddies gala in Miami, and that was a really fun time. I was with Verne Troyer on the red carpet at that event, and he is amazing. I’ve been to the Project Sunshine event, and I met John Legend there and he was awesome and so nice. I’ve met some of the Victoria’s Secret Angels, and I went to a red carpet event with Alessandra Ambrosio, and it was a Disney Princess event. That was one of my life goals—to meet Alessandra Ambrosio. The interviews are really fun, too.
PM: Speaking of being in the spotlight, you spend quite a bit of time in NYC.
SH: I’ve spent the entire year here now, and I live in the dorms for the New York Film Academy and I don’t live in the apartment with the girls (Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez and Miss USA Rima Fakih). The dorms are great, and I have a roommate—I’ve had about four different roommates because they come and go. But I do spend a lot of time in the city.
PM: How much time have you been able to spend with your sister titleholders?
SH: Not that much lately, because they’ve been really busy. I spend the least time with Stefania because she’s always in different countries, and I haven’t spent much time with Rima because she’s new and been doing so many interviews. I spent the most time with Kristen (Dalton) and we would have movie date nights and we would stay in the apartment and eat pizza, stuff like that.
PM: You’ve mentioned charitable events, and you’re involved with numerous charities. How has this affected your perspective on giving back to our communities?
SH: It’s really fulfilling, and you don’t feel like you’re being selfish by working a job just to get yourself somewhere. It’s like you have this title, and you can actually help people just by attending events, or visiting hospitals and classrooms. It makes your life whole, and makes you feel really good about yourself.
PM: Going forward, what do you think you’re going to miss most following the crowning of your successor on July 24?
SH: I think I’ll miss the office the most, because I spend a lot of time in that office and I’m going to miss all of the employees of the Miss Universe Organization, because I’ve become really close with a lot of them. It’s like a huge family.
PM: On July 25, what do you think you’ll be looking forward to the most?
SH: It will be just to start my career in music. I don’t get to focus on it much right now, and I write in my spare time when I’m sitting in my room and I have nothing else to do. It will be good to be able to get into a recording studio and work with people and record—that’s what I’m most excited about, going back to Nashville.
PM: When the next Miss Teen USA is announced, what will be your first words of advice to her?
SH: To hold on. It’s a tough job, I’m going to tell her that. Yes, you’re furthering your future, but it’s really not about you. It’s about your job, representing the organization, doing your work, and, in the meantime, getting somewhere.
PM: Of course, as Miss Teen USA, you have a very high profile with teens across the country. Any parting thoughts?
SH: Take it seriously. For the next girl, this is one thing in her life that she can dedicate a year to. You really are a role model out there for all the girls, and even the boys look up to you. Set a good example, and don’t take it lightly that you’re such a role model.
[To hear the complete interview with Stormi Bree Henley, please click Pageantry PodCasts.] |
