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Press Release

Miss USA applauds pageant coming here

Ali Landry, the reigning Miss USA, thanked local officials Monday for bringing the 1997 pageant to Louisiana. "my heart has always been in Louisiana and always will be," she said.

Landry, a native of Breaux Bridge, was in town for the official announcement that the February pageant will be held in Shreveport-Bossier City. Joining her was Martin Brooks, president of the Miss Universe pageant. The attended a news conference at the Barnwell Garden and Art Center on the Shreveport riverfront, where they were presented the keys to the cities by Mayors Bo Williams of Shreveport and George Dement of Bossier City.

There is still no firm date announced for the pageant, which will take place at the Hirsch Coliseum on the State Fair Grounds. But State Fair General Manager Sam Giordano said possible dates are Feb. 5,7,12 or 14.

"We haven't scheduled it yet because we're waiting for the CBS to tell us what date they are going to televise the finals," giordano said.

Preston Friedley, President of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau, said the pageant will allow the local community to play host to the 52 contestants for three weeks. The pageant will be televised in 30 foreign countries with an expected audience of more than 300 million.

Landry was crowned Miss USA in March while competing as Miss Louisiana. She was among the top 10 finalists in the Miss Universe pageant held in May.

While the Miss USA pageant is 54 years old, Landry said such competition is still relevant, for it gives contestants invaluable exposure that proves helpful in career development.

"It's a beauty pageant, but there is more to it than just the beauty aspect," she said. "Beauty is the last thing. Personality and poise are major."

Landry, 23, said she welcomed the chance to get to know contestants from all over the world during the Miss Universe pageant. She said conversations touched on some world issues, but that the discussions were basically informative.

"That was helpful because you don't want to be asked a question on stage and not know what's going on," she said.