Day 1 in LA

I just got off the phone with Courtney, and she's in great spirits! She completed all aspects of Registration today. She was fitted for her competition swimsuit (white bikini) and another fun swimsuit for photos (hers is pink). She had a photo shoot in the pink suit for the MISS USA website. The contestants received their custom Tadashi opening outfits (Courtney's is a dark purple very fitted cocktail dress) and their Nina shoes (silver for swimsuit competition and a black pair). She also received 2 pair of YMI jeans and a tank top! Gotta LOVE those sponsor gifts! **Note on the Tadashi outfits--each contestant has a custom design that she will be wearing for the opening number. The girls had no input on what they are wearing; they simply submitted their measurements and an outfit was created especially for them! There will be 51 unique looks on the stage. Courtney says she LOVES her dress.

She had her Fadil Berisha photo shoot in her evening gown, which she said they shot right outside the hotel against the wall. She said people were walking by, stopping and staring the whole time. I told her to get used to all that attention! She loved how Fadil's stylists did her hair and makeup and is so excited to see the final photo, as are we. Then she had her interview for missusa.com. She said several contestants, herself included, had to do the interview in their evening gowns after their Fadil shoot, so she has pretty dramatic hair and makeup. I don't know when the interviews will be up on the website, but you can be sure that I'll post that info here as soon as it's available. I also don't know when the Fadil shots will be released but those photos will go in the MISS USA program book.

Courtney does not have her cable with her to upload photos from her camera to her computer, so we won't have photos from her for several days. There were no cameras allowed for Registration anyway. However, there are MANY other girls with cameras there, and I'll scour the internet for any and all photos with our beloved MISS ARIZONA USA in them to post here. BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS AFTER EACH POST ON THIS BLOG, so Courtney can read them! Also, I've already received some email notes to pass on to Courtney; please feel free to forward as many as you like to info@missarizonausa.net and I'll forward them directly to Courtney!

Tomorrow is breakfast at 7am, then Orientation at 9am. The official Welcome Reception is tomorrow evening. She has not received any changes to her schedule yet.

On another pageant note, congratulations to Arizona's own Mrs. America, Diane Tucker, who just captured the Mrs. World crown! Courtney, you're next!!!

With love,
Britt