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Miss USA 1994 winner Lu Parker interview on the red carpet at the 73rd annual Miss USA finals live competition event on August 4, 2024, at the Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Reporter: Athenna Crosby @athennacrosby.
This video is available for editorial use in all media and worldwide. To ensure compliance and proper licensing of this video, please contact us.
©MaximoTV
Miss USA 1994 winner Lu Parker interview on the red carpet at the 73rd annual Miss USA finals live competition event on August 4, 2024, at the Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Reporter: Athenna Crosby @athennacrosby.
This video is available for editorial use in all media and worldwide. To ensure compliance and proper licensing of this video, please contact us.
©MaximoTV
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PeopleTranscript
00:00Joining me is Lou Parker, former Miss USA. How has the pageant evolved from your time
00:07on stage to now?
00:08Well, it's been 30 years, which is really scary to even say for myself, but in a way
00:14it hasn't evolved. It has evolved, but at the same time, we're doing the same hard work.
00:21I can see what the girls have been doing in terms of charity, taking care of themselves,
00:27self-care, and determination to set a goal and follow through with it. And that's essentially
00:33what the Miss USA pageant is about, is understanding who you are and presenting that to the world.
00:39And sitting in the judges' seat last night, I felt that. It's essentially the same. Obviously
00:46things have changed, things have evolved, but it's really nice to see that the tradition
00:52is still there.
00:53A lot of the contestants tonight might be looking to have a career in the media, and
00:57following your time as Miss USA, you've been able to have a very successful career. So
01:01how would you encourage the contestants to leverage this experience tonight to have that?
01:07I would say, well, obviously as Miss USA, doors open, and utilize that. Meet as many
01:13people as you can, and also find your purpose. Find what you enjoy, because life goes by
01:19really fast. And so if you can find a career in broadcast journalism, or if it's PR, or
01:24whatever people are wanting to do, whoever wins, is to really, I really truly believe
01:29in finding the purpose first, and then utilizing your talents and the title.
01:36Miss USA has been in the media a lot lately. There's been lots of changing of hands, undergoing
01:41different ownerships. And for better or for worse, you know, a lot of eyes are on the
01:45pageant right now. So what made you want to participate and be a part of this tonight?
01:49Because I'm a former, and I'm proud of what the years and the tradition of the years have
01:55brought to people's homes. And I think people are proud of Miss USA and the title, and they
02:03get excited at home and talk about it, and they want to pick the winner. And, you know,
02:08change is good sometimes, I think. What do they say? That change and taxes are the two
02:12things that always happen, right? And we just have to roll with that. And I wanted to be
02:17a part of this, because as a former, I'd love just to be here and represent, like,
02:22what I was and what I've become, and I hope to see that in the next winner.
02:27One more question for you. And with that said, you're going to be picking the next Miss USA
02:31tonight. That's an iconic title. What is it going to take for a woman to wear that crown?
02:36I think the main thing is confidence in themselves, self-love and confidence. And they've all
02:41done a lot of hard work, and they're all beautiful. But I think just having that confidence and
02:46knowing that, example, when I was backstage in my gown, I remember saying, make it easy
02:53for the judges. You're the one. Make it easy for them. And so the energy kind of popped.
02:58Yes. Wonderful. Thank you so much, Lou. Enjoy your night.
03:01Thank you. Thank you.
03:02Thanks.