AsianConnections Interviews
Nancy Bui About Her Recent Adventures
As a Contestant in the Miss California 2000 Pageant

AC Team guest host Nancy Bui, is a real beauty queen in her own right. Nancy is the current reigning Miss San Luis Obispo 2000.

Nancy is also a college student majoring in management information systems, and an aspiring model and actress.

Nancy competed with 52 others for the Miss California title in Fresno, California culminating in ceremonies over the 4th of July weekend.

AC Team: What was your "typical" day at the pageant?

Nancy Bui:  It was ten days - ten very long days! We woke up everyday at 6am and had rehearsals all the way through to 10:30 pm. By the time we were shuttled back to our hotels and settled in for the night, we didn't go to sleep until midnight. It was a very busy schedule since we had to learn all the dance numbers in four days, where usually something on this level would take months to rehearse. Since not all of the contestants have any dance experience, it was difficult at times to get all 53 girls moving in unison! We pretty much ate and slept in the theater that we rehearsed. We brought in pillows and blankets to take naps whenever we could. You learn to sleep on the floor of a cold theater very quickly!

AC Team: Could you bring your friends and family to help you at the pageant competition?

Nancy Bui: No. They didn't allow any outside people, although we had wonderful volunteer hostesses. They brought us food, helped us get ready. They didn't want our committee members or family to distract us or to take away from bonding with the other contestants. Also, family can be a stresser in itself!

AC Team: How many women participated in the competition?

Nancy Bui: Fifty three women participated. California is known as one of the hardest state to win because the caliber of contestants that compete is so high. There are few other states such as Georgia, that has roughly 40 contestants, but some states such as Nevada had 16 contestants.

AC Team: How was the competition scheduled and scored?

Nancy Bui: Thirty percent of the score was from a private interview with the judges. Talent was 40%, physical fitness was 15% and evening wear was 15%. The judges came from diverse backgrounds and from all across the nation from Washington DC to Massachusetts.

Since there were so many contestants, 53 of us, every night featured some of the contestants in the various categories in front of the audience.

Each night, the evening wear contestants were asked non-judged questions in front of the public audience. There were three nights of a preliminary competition, a full show from beginning to end. Three separate sets of contestants participated in three separate segments. Almost every night was sold out, so more than 1,000 people nightly were watching our competition.

AC Team:  Could you describe your experiences with each of the categories?

Nancy Bui:  First the talent portion which is 40% of the score went well for me, but I hurt my arm, I pulled a muscle right before I was supposed to perform while I was warming up back stage. I couldn't help crying, but everyone was telling me to stop because I was ruining my makeup! I wiped my tears, my adrenaline kicked in and I did great. It was one of my best performances.

My talent was Chinese ribbon dancing, the first time this was ever done for the talent portion of the Miss California pageant. I was featured on the news the next morning on television and was mentioned in the local paper who had covered the weeks events. It was my favorite part since there was no pressure to perform!

I've always stayed in shape running, conditioning and lifting weights, so I was in pretty good physical condition. For the past six months, I was sponsored by a local Kick Boxing studio, SLO Kick Boxing run by an Ultimate Fighter Champion, Chuck Liddell. You can imagine what kind of rigorous program they put you through! The team of wonderful teachers and coaches helped get in shape by working me out 3-4 times a week. I couldn't have done it without all their help! I've also done kick boxing 3 to 4 times a week for two hour sessions each. Not only was kick boxing great for my swimsuit portion, but it helped me keep my stamina up for ribbon dancing, since that in itself is a full body workout!

At the evening gown competition I wore a violet Vera Wang dress. The person who scores well in the evening gown portion is not the one with the most beautiful gown, but the one who carries herself in it the best. The judges want to see you "on stage" presence, whether you are wearing the dress or the dressis wearing you. The evening gown section is 15% of the score.

The judges private interview is 40% of the score. You are interviewed during the day earlier in the week. Either they like you or they don't. This year judges asked questions to learn a lot about yourself and who you are. All Miss America and Miss California contestants must have a platform, and many were asked about their platforms during the interview segment. Many contestants commit to a pre-existing program such as the American Cancer Society.

I felt that I was given a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in my community, so I wrote my own platform program. I call it "Bear HUGS (Hope U Give Someone)." I collected teddy bears from children that I spoke to about child abuse at the local elementary schools and give them to the police and fire departments so when they go out on calls, they can give children that I have gathered. Not only have I helped the child feel more comfortable, but hopefully I show them that there are other people, other children out there who care.

I was abused as a child and can speak about my own experiences and help young children. If more people could show compassion, listen to other children, pay attention more to their classmates, tragedies like Columbine might never happen.

AC Team: Are you glad you were a Miss California contestant?  What did you learn from your experiences?

Nancy Bui: I learned a lot about the human condition and about myself. I learned how to deal with the highs and lows of life. Everyday you are pushed to the limit, physically and emotionally.

During the competition week, I asked myself why I was doing this, pushing myself and my body through the limits. In the end, I realized that it was all worth the hardship. All of us are qualified to become Miss California. But, when it ever came to the point where people were too competitive, we were all very supportive of each other, we all wanted to win but we knew sadly only one of us could.

Everyone had their hopes and dreams, but this experience was a once in a lifetime experience for me. I'm happy that I was given the wonderful opportunity to compete in the Miss California pageant, not everyone has been fortunate enough to do so.

AC Team: What are your plans ahead?

Nancy Bui: This summer I'm relaxing! Enjoying my free time.

I've spent the past ten months getting ready. I would like to get more into acting and explore myself as an actor and model. I really haven't gone full force because I have had to juggle school and pageant preparations.

Of course, while I am doing this, in the Fall, I am in my senior year as a management information systems major. But I will continue to maintain my interests in acting and modeling and also co-hosting and writing about AsianConections.com's exciting online and on-the-ground events!

AC Team: Thanks Nancy for sharing with us your experiences!

Nancy Bui:  Thanks!

- End -
 

AsianConnections thanks Nancy Bui for sharing with us her personal adventures as a beauty queen, pageant contestant, college student, and aspiring actress.
                                                                                                   - AC Team

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More related articles on Nancy Bui:
Profile of Nancy Bui
AC interviews Nancy about her recent adventures in the Miss California 2000 pageant
AC asks Nancy about Miss California 2000, Rita Ng
Eating Dim Sum and Pho with the Stars! - A Golden Weekend to Remember