The Pageant Scandal Aftermath

How much publicity has this pageant mixup created?

I was on every local news channel here, but I also did national, I did CNN, I did Good Morning America, I did a lot of Hispanic-based international and national shows and in Spanish, so that was really fun. But, I think when I did CNN, which is a very well-known, newsworthy, to-the-book kind of program, I looked at the executive producer and I said "Isn't there a war going on? Is my story really important?" And they laughed very kindly and said, yes, your story's important and we'd like to hear it.

What's it like to be the center of media attention for a few days?

Very bizarre, because at the time it was not like I was in an elated state of mind. You know, something great and wonderful happened. It was like I just got my heart taken out, I was emotional, and now everyone wants me to look cute and talk about it. So, it was very difficult, I really composed myself. I didn't ever want to get emotional on the camera, and I didn't, but then the cameras are off, and we're driving to the next interview and I'd start screaming out because it bringing back memories. People kept asking, "How do you feel?" Well, how do you think I feel? That was very difficult.

What happened on your Ellen DeGeneres Show appearance?

Doing the Ellen DeGeneres Show was so fun. She's just beautiful. She's a beautiful person inside and out. I had no idea that she was going to crown me Miss Ellen 2008 and I had no idea she was going to give me this contract. So when she said, "I have something for you." I sort of thought, "Well, OK, whatever." She brought out the crown and the Miss Ellen sash and of course I was elated. I was like, "Oh, thank you." But when she said I got something else for you. I got you a contract; a theatrical and modeling contract with the KAS Agency. I was about to cry. But I didn't. I really held it back. Because going through all this and then having someone say, "You know what? I really believe you are the real winner. I believe that they didn't play the game right and I think you're going to do well. So here's a contract." I was so grateful for it. It was so fun.

Do you think you can take advantage of the publicity?

I have always felt that I had my career with or without the pageant. I was doing very well with who I am and what I was doing. So when I won the pageant I thought, great! This is going to be another great stepping stone. Being on Ellen and being all over YouTube now and all over the internet, sure it is great. Publicity is always great and I have a little fan base which is bizarre. So that is kind of cool. Now I will be having my own website soon but I think that I am very blessed and I am not going to let something like this bring me down.