Next in Line: As she watched Olivia Culpo’s crowning moment as Miss Universe, Nana Meriwether realized that it was her time to step up and shine as the next Miss USA. Six months earlier, in front of a live audience of thousands and with a TV viewership of millions, Nana’s name was called as the first runner-up at the 2012 Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas. And as she watched Olivia’s joyous and tearful reaction, Nana suddenly realized that she was now Miss USA. With a shortened reign ahead of her, Nana knows that she’s going to need to make her efforts count.

Change of Plans: Just a week shy of Christmas, Olivia Culpo had barely tapped into her potential as Miss USA before receiving the present of a lifetime when she was elevated to a global icon as the 62nd Miss Universe winner. At just 20-years old, Olivia’s quickly been thrust from the spotlight of Miss USA fame to the position of global ambassador for women of all ages in all walks of life, throughout every country. And while she’ll only be able to travel to some of those countries, Olivia isn’t taking a single minute for granted. We were thankful to share a few of those minutes with her and look ahead at her year as Miss Universe.

The Last Vegas: With the announcement that Miss New York, Mallory Hagan, had beaten the odds and won the title of Miss America 2013, the Miss America Organization turned the lights out on a great run in Las Vegas. After record breaking ratings, the world’s largest scholarship program heads back to where it all began—Atlantic City.

Pageantry magazine podcast features an exit interview with Laura Kaeppeler, Miss America 2012. Stepping Out into the World - As only the second Miss America ever to hail from the state of Wisconsin, Laura Kaeppeler never left her hometown until her year of service took her on a whirlwind tour. Laura stunned the crowd last January with her willingness to openly discuss her family’s past and her father’s time in prison, but it was simply evidence of what a spectacular and strong individual she had grown to be in the face of adversity.

Pageantry magazine podcast features an interview with Steve Lang, president of the American Bridal and Prom Industry Association [ABPIA] and it's fight against counterfeiting gowns and dresses. Taking a Global Stand: Fed up with foreign companies flooding the market with counterfeit gowns and dresses, some of the formalwear industry’s biggest names are taking their fight to federal court. Steve Lang, President of the American Bridal and Prom Industry Association, is one of those leaders taking charge and fighting for his industry’s rightful success. So far, it’s looking like the ABPIA is a true force to be reckoned with.

Pageantry PodCast interview with actress Bobbie Eakes. From her Miss Georgia crown to her recent Emmy award, Bobbie Eakes has proven that hard work and determination can pay off for a girl from a small Georgia town in a huge way. The youngest of five sisters, Bobbie is a story of true inspiration, the classic tale of a young girl who wanted to conquer the world and set out to do just that. She’s broken down the doors of almost every genre in the entertainment industry, as she has starred on stage, the big screen, as a musician, and on legendary soap's The Bold and the Beautiful and All My Children. And while she’s willing to reflect on some of the greatest moments of her amazing career, Bobbie’s greatest success stories are yet to come.

Pageantry PodCast interview with Miss Teen USA Logan West. Coming out of her shell: Logan West is the first girl from Connecticut to win the title of Miss Teen USA, and she’s going to use it to fulfill her ultimate dreams. Striking a blow against bullies everywhere, Logan has made bullying a centerpiece of her charitable platform, revealing that she had been a victim of bullying in middle school. She created her own anti-bullying initiative, Bully Proof, a five-step program that aims to empower student leaders to help prevent bullying.

A Dance to Remember: Rachel Wyatt left her small town to follow big dreams, and it paid off with her becoming Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2013. With an earth shaking eruption from an elated audience, Miss South Carolina’s Outstanding Teen 2012 Rachel Wyatt was named Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2013 and winner of a $25,000 scholarship. We had the pleasure of interviewing Rachel only weeks after her life changing transformation.

Performance of a Lifetime: More than 100 million people were introduced to Miss America’s Outstanding Teen this year, and as Elizabeth Fechtel awaits the day that she will pass on her title to another amazing young lady, she has only just begun to reflect on the many lives that she has touched over the past year. Between her visits to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals and the many other appearances she has made across the country, it hasn’t truly hit her yet, but perhaps as she continues her ambitious desire to help teenagers around the world realize their ability, she’ll realize that she has been one amazing role model.

Going Home Again: As her year as Miss Teen USA comes to an end, Danielle Doty is heading back to Texas for college, but the sky is the limit for her future beyond the title. Danielle made the most of every minute of her year as Miss Teen USA, from visiting American Armed Forces in Germany, to sharing the special message that we all go through awkward phases when we’re young with so many young girls who look up to her. Not a moment was wasted by Danielle, as she accomplished the dream of millions as Miss Teen USA.