BWW Interviews - Co-Hosts Nick Jonas, Giuliana Rancic Talk 2013 MISS USA COMPETITION

Giuliana Rancic, co-anchor of "E! News," and Nick Jonas, Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter, will host the 62nd Annual Miss USA Competition airing live on NBC Sunday, June 16 (9-11 p.m. ET) from PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The co-hosts spoke to reporters earlier this week about what to expect at this year's exciting competition.

Can you two talk about the preparation you've been doing for the live show?

Giuliana Rancic: Well I've done it a few years now so I love going online and checking out all the women and seeing what we're looking at for each state and this year it seems like a great bunch of girls.

We do a little research on the women, make sure that we pronounce their names correctly in case they're called that night because we don't know until the very last second obviously who's going to get crowned and then her name just kind of pops up on the prompter. So we want to make sure we do her justice and not mess her name up on one of the most important moments of her life.

So that's really it at this point. But Nick and I are headed to Vegas this week and there's going to be tons of rehearsing and preparation and as you know, the Jonas Brothers are going to be performing so he's got a lot of responsibilities this weekend. So he's obviously going to be even busier than I am.

Nick Jonas: And my plans are just to take Giuliana's lead as she's the pro here.

Giuliana Rancic: Barely Nick, are you kidding? It's funny that Nick says that. Even though I've hosted for three years, keep in mind that Nick has been on countless stages performing in front of tons of people which obviously I can't even get close to. I mean he's done this so much. I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I think we're going to have a good time.

The competition is taking place on Father's Day. So is watching it the perfect Father's Day night thing to do with the family?

Giuliana Rancic: Nick you want to take it?

Nick Jonas: Yes I was just saying, I think it's the perfect Father's Day situation. My dad's trying to decide right now if he's going to come or not and watch. I was like are you kidding me? You absolutely have to come. This is Miss USA; it's every father's dream.

Giuliana Rancic: Well said Nick. I love that they chose Father's Day to do this. And what's cool is that the 51 girls coming, obviously their parents are super excited so it's a going to be a great trip for their dads because not only do they get to see their daughter hopefully fulfill her dream but also to get hang out in Vegas all weekend which is pretty cool for Father's Day. And yes why not?

I mean flip this on after you have dinner with the family and watch this. There's going to be great entertainment, beautiful women. What hot-blooded male wouldn't want to see that?

Nick could you tell us what song you and your brothers will be performing on the show?

Nick Jonas: We are actually doing a medley of songs from the new record. I'm very excited. We're going to actually be premiering a new song on the show. And even though it's going to be kind of worked into the show with the contestants and all that they're doing, I think it's going to be an exciting time for us to premiere some new music and we're just ready to get back on the stage together.

Giuliana I know you have such a great eye for fashion. Do the contestants ever come to you and ask for fashion advice?

Giuliana Rancic: Great question. Actually Miss USA last year, Olivia Culpo, she went on to win Miss Universe, and when I hosted Miss Universe just not long ago, she showed me her two dresses that she was trying to decide from, the final two dresses that would basically make or break everything, and I strongly urged her to wear this one dress. It was a low-cut red dress.

And I've got to say most people told her not to wear it and I said, "Olivia you've got to wear this. The other one is so pageanty and this one is more fashion. This is more you, it's more fashion, it's more on trend." And I said, "The judges are going to get it, like they'll see the fashion in it. Don't be seduced by the fact that you're in a pageant and you need to be all blinged out. You need to stay true to yourself and be the fashionista you are. So she did wear it. She wore it last minute and she won.

So she always said to me she was happy we had that conversation. So yes I love giving the girls fashion advice.

Giuliana, how do you feel about the bathing suit portion of the competition?

Giuliana Rancic: You know I think every pageant is so different and I think for Miss USA, it's just what they've done since the beginning and it works for the Miss USA pageant and I think the girls take great pride in the fact that they work out, that they're fit and that they take care of themselves and they're proud to be in a bikini. Could I do it? No. I don't have the confidence to walk on stage in a bikini so it always kind of blows my mind to see these girls how confident they are on stage.

Giuliana, this is going to be your third year hosting Miss USA. Do you still feel nervous before you go on stage?

Giuliana Rancic: One hundred percent yes, a 100%. The first year I did it I had a little bit of a wardrobe malfunction where you saw maybe a little too much, my slit was a little too high, but of course it's live so I didn't know that till I checked my Twitter in the commercial break and I was like, "Oh God, oh no, oh God."

So it's always scary. I mean you don't know if you're going to have a wardrobe malfunction, you don't know if you're going to trip. We're wearing gowns and it's a lot of craziness happening on stage at one time. And Nick and I have so much to juggle and a lot of copy and just there's a lot going on, a lot of moving parts. So I get very nervous.

I probably get more nervous when that red light goes on doing Miss USA than I do like doing this Oscars, red carpet for E. And I think it's just because anything can happen and it always does. Anything can happen on that stage. People trip, people say things that end up being controversial sometimes that end up on the news the next day. And Nick and I kind of we have to pay close attention to everyone, we have to know how to respond and make sure we that we say the right thing.

And also we have to make sure we answer accordingly to the girls like when they give an answer and it's kind of an answer where people go huh, we can't laugh but we also can't not acknowledge it. We can't ignore it either. Do you know what I mean? So it's like a tricky role we have to play. So knowing that, I always go into a little nervous.

Nick what are you most nervous for and excited about?

Nick Jonas: Yes I definitely am nervous just about stepping into kind of a completely different light that I've never been in before as far as hosting goes. But I think that the team that I've met for Miss USA so far has been unbelievable and been really helpful in kind of getting prepped and I feel like it's going to be an amazing night. And the contestants have all worked so hard to get to this place that it's going to be so incredible to see them on the stage and having the opportunity that they have.

So I just want to make it the bets for them. That's my goal for the night is to make sure that their dreams all come true and hopefully I don't mess up in the process.

Nick you're going to be around all these gorgeous girls while you're hosting the pageant. As of now are you single - do they stand a chance of capturing your heart?

Giuliana Rancic: Good question.

Nick Jonas: I am single at the moment so I'm obviously very excited for this show. But it will be an amazing time and I had a chance to meet Olivia last year after she won because my brother Joe was actually one of the judges last year and she's incredible. So if that's a sign of what's to come then I'm over the moon.

This week, the Miss Iowa pageant crowned a winner who is missing the bottom half of her left arm. Do you think it's a great sign for pageants that the field of contestants keeps getting more and more diverse every year?

Giuliana Rancic: Yes absolutely. I mean I think that that's fantastic, you know? And I think it would - I mean it's nice to see that pageants reflect what is really - what we're seeing every day in just our own community. So I think it's great I mean absolutely. You know, she's no different than anyone else. She's got a dream and I'm sure she's a bright, wonderful girl and she should have every opportunity that all these other girls have.

So yes I love that seeing that and I think that it's important for pageants to be able to represent what young women really look like outside of a stage, you know what I mean, and what women are really going through. So I think that's great.

Nick Jonas: I think it's a beautiful thing and I think there's a lot of beauty in diversity and overcoming different obstacles that we have in our lives and representing them on the big stage because so many young girls dream is to be Miss USA. So to show them that anything is possible is a beautiful thing.

Since the first Miss USA was back in the 50s, obviously there's been a lot of social changes since then. Do you think the contest has evolved to meet these social changes and what do you think makes pageants like this still relevant and important today?

Giuliana Rancic: Well I mean I think that yes I think they do keep up with the changes and, you know, what I love about the Miss USA pageant is these girls they all have a great platform. So many of them do so much community work and are just good people, like nice well rounded women.

Nick and I, as Nick's going to see this weekend, we have a chance to spend a lot of time with these girls on stage and talking them and they're just nice women and nice people and they just want to do good and use their title, their platform to do good things and to get out there and help people.

So yes I mean I do think that pageants are still relevant. I think the pageants - like I know when I was a little girl my dream was always to be Miss USA and to be on that stage and I used to always think, "God I would love to have a title, a platform where I could help people." And I think that's what a lot of these young women think and that's why a lot of them want this. So I think it's super.

Nick as a man what about this project and this contest appeals to you?

Nick Jonas: I think I'm going to have to agree with Giuliana and say the fact these women all have a heart to help other people and to use their platform to do good is an amazing thing. And it shows that the beauty here is really in their willingness and readiness to do what they can to help others and to use that platform.

So I think that's a major thing that appeals to me personally about it as someone that really has a heart to help others as well and I look at this and think that it's one of those things that's so special because they're given such a great platform and I'm excited to see it firsthand for the first time.

Giuliana, you're usually on the red carpet interviewing celebrities. Is it weird for you to be on the other end of that and having people asking you questions today?

I think it's a lot easier being on the other end, asking the questions. I like having my little note cards and doing research on people and asking them about their lives. But it's fun too. I mean I'm really lucky especially through our reality show, our Giuliana and Bill show that we've been able to talk about so many topics that so many people go through whether it's sharing my infertility journey or breast cancer, I mean it's been such a blessing to be able to get out there and talk about those things and help people.

So whereas before I think I used to - it was harder because I don't think anyone likes to just sit there and talk about themselves and answer personal questions about themselves. But when I was able to realize that it was something that was helping other people and people and people would come up to me in the street and they'd say, "Oh you know I had breast cancer too, thank you for sharing your story. It makes me feel better." I think wow what an incredible privilege I have. It's such a privilege I'm able to do that.

So it's not weird anymore, do you know what I mean, because at least I'm out there talking about good things. And even with something like this pageant, I think a lot of the women on that stage feel the way I do. They've all be through the different things. That's why they're on the stage. Most of them have overcome adversity in one way or another and there's such pride you get in being able to share what you've been through with other people in the hopes of helping them and inspiring them in some ways.

So that's why - I don't know what it is, when I get on that stage at Miss USA and I know Nick's going to feel this too because I love what Nick was saying before about the fact that we're on the stage with these women who this is like their dream, you know, and that you can sit there and like help them and encourage them and nurture their dream is a privilege.

And sometimes I get on there and I get a little emotional and choked up watching these girls like get closer and closer to their dream because you can't just be pretty to be on that stage. There has to be more to you. And so it's really nice to see these women fulfill their dreams.

Giuliana, do you have any advice for Nick this being his first time hosting the show?

Giuliana Rancic: That's an awesome question. I mean listen I got to say Nick like I said, you know, Nick has been I mean in major arenas with thousands and thousands of screaming people. His job - he's tackled a lot bigger jobs than this so I think he's going to be incredible and he's probably not going to have the nerves that most people who haven't hosted this show would have been he's been on that stage so many times and so many stages.

But my only thing would be with this pageant what I love about this is Donald Trump and the organizers of this pageant really let us do our own thing. Nick's going to see that when we get there this week. Like they're just like do whatever feels right, do what you want to do. It's not like a regimented process, do you know what I mean? Like they let us kind of do our thing.

So I would just say to Nick just have fun and even if something goes wrong, it can make for a fun, great moment so who cares? Like embrace it even when something goes wrong, you know what I mean? Let's say the prompter gets messed and it goes out, just have fun with it like we should just have fun and just crack up or acknowledge it or don't acknowledge it. It doesn't really matter; there are no rules. And I think that's what makes the pageant cool and fun and that's why people more times than not talk about it the next day.

You know oftentimes this pageant, the Miss USA, ends up on the Today Show the next day or Fox and Friends or whatever because something always happens at the pageant and I think that's what makes it fun and that's why people tune in because anything can happen.

Giuliana why do you think that they keep asking you to come back after these past two years?

Giuliana Rancic: Let me think about that. I have no idea. I think that - honestly I think the reason is they know that I have such an affinity for this pageant that I truly love everything about these pageants, the Miss USA, Miss Universe pageants. I'm like a giddy teenager on that stage because I truly -- and I've said this way before I ever hosted these pageants -- but I would call my agent and say, "You got get me to host Miss USA."

Because I grew up wanting so badly to be Miss USA like a lot of young girls. And I actually competed for the Miss Maryland USA pageant twice and completely lost. I bombed final answers both times. And it's funny because I just always had this dream since I was a little girl and what's kind of cool is it happened in a roundabout way. My big dream was to be on that stage and I am on the stage but as a host.

So what's cool is I always wanted to be on the stage once and now it's been three times so my dream happened and even more so than I had expected. So I think they realize that I know a lot about the pageant and I also try to make the girls feel comfortable because I was in their shoes, not on the national level but on the state level, so I know the pressure, I know that they want this so bad. So I just always am there with my arm around them, giving them advice, trying to nurture them and help them out.

I think the organizers realize that like Mr. Trump as well as (Paula Shugaurd) who runs the organization. So they've asked me to come back and I love doing it.

Nick why do you think that you were asked to host this year's Miss USA?

Nick Jonas: That's also an interesting question. I don't really know how to answer it. I'd say that having a male presence on this show is an important thing as well and I was really blessed when they asked me to a part of it. I think the opportunity came first for us to perform as we were releasing the music and prepping for the next phase of our career, the Jonas Brothers.

But when the offer came to co-host with Giuliana I was all for it. It's an amazing opportunity and something that I feel like it's a dream come true for any man in my shoes so I'm looking forward to it.

Giuliana, do you think pageants like Miss USA convey a healthy body image?

Giuliana Rancic:You know I do, I actually do. I mean I see these girls up close and personal and most of these girls I mean the way they look - the reason they look that way is because they eat well and they work out. And I think that is a great message to send to young women.

You have to take care of your health. I talk a lot about health and being proactive about your health and taking care of your body and it's funny because there are definitely a lot more examples out there of people who don't take care of themselves and have an unhealthy diet and don't work out and that's not good. That's not positive. And I think these women show a very positive body type.

And they don't - when you see them on stage I mean a lot of these girls they have curves, they have muscle, they have definition and I see them. I mean they're there two weeks before, they're in the gym, they're eating healthy. So I think they are great example and I think they look fabulous. And if any the girls didn't kind of fall in that healthy diet, healthy workout area then I don't think they would be on that stage if you know what I mean. Like I think they're chosen for a reason because they do take care of themselves and they eat well and they work out. And I think they're great role models.

About MISS USA:

Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the coveted title of Miss USA 2013. Nana Meriwether, Miss USA 2012, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour telecast.

Fans are now able to vote their favorite contestant into the semifinals at the MISS USA Competition. Voting is taking place now through June 15 by logging on to www.missusa.com or voting through the vote icon on the official Miss USA Facebook page.

The MISS USA telecast is televised in approximately 90 countries and territories around the world and was one of the top social media trending topics during last year's show. For more information, visit www.missusa.com.

Please follow us on http://www.facebook.com/nbc and at http://twitter.com/nbc.

ABOUT THE MISS USA COMPETITION
The Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and NBCUniversal joint venture, is a global community empowering role models of beauty, health and leadership for young women of today. As part of the Miss Universe Organization, Miss USA is dedicated to partnering with charities around the world, and to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. For more information, visit: www.missusa.com.

FOLLOW MISS USA:
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialMissUSA
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/MissUSA
• Twitter: @MissUSA

About NICK JONAS:

Nick Jonas

Nick Jonas has been an artist and performer since childhood days growing up in New Jersey. Encouraged and supported by his parents and brothers, Nick landed roles in Broadway musicals such as "Les Miserables," "Beauty and the Beast," "Annie Get Your Gun" and "A Christmas Carol" after being discovered singing in a beauty salon where he was with his mother. But even before Broadway, music has always been Nick's passion-trying out every musical instrument and singing around the house.

After a song written by Nick and his father found its way to Columbia Records, Nick was signed as a solo artist. Soon thereafter though, his brothers Kevin and Joe, who had co-written a few songs with Nick as well, were also brought on to the project and the Jonas Brothers story began.

The Jonas Brothers burst onto the music scene in August 2007 with their self-titled debut album, which included the hit single, "S.O.S." The song soared to #1 on iTunes, and the album climbed to the top five of the Billboard charts and was soon certified double platinum. With the release of the band's second album, "A Little Bit Longer," the Jonas Brothers became the first artist ever to have three albums on the Billboard Top 10 at once: "Jonas Brothers," "A Little Bit Longer" and the "Camp Rock" soundtrack. In 2009, they released Lines, Vines and Trying Times, a global hit that became their second #1 album in one year.

The Jonas Brothers have sold a combined 20 million units worldwide, earned over 40 Gold and Platinum record certifications and own the Guinness World Record for "Most Singles to Enter Straight into the U.S. Top 20 in a Year by a Group," with five singles in 2009. They received their first Grammy nomination in 2008 for Best New Artist, and have won nearly 50 awards across the globe, including an American Music Award.

Never one to slow down, Nick eventually launched a solo effort -- Nick Jonas and the Administration -- a project that saw him bring together some of the industry's most accomplished and respected musicians. The result was a solo debut album, Who I Am, with ten strikingly soulful songs that took Nick into new musical territories and saw him emerge as an even better performer, musician and songwriter.

Beyond his solo work as a musician, Nick continued with his work on Broadway as well taking the role of Marius Pontmercy in the West End production of Les Miserables in London in the summer of 2010. He also performed at the famed musical's 25th Anniversary Celebration at the O2 in 2010 that was televised to audiences around the world. In the summer of 2011, Nick joined the Los Angeles stage production of Hairspray with original cast members Harvey Fierstein and Marissa Jaret Winokur. The Los Angeles Times applauded his performance saying that Nick's "triple-threat talents... will undoubtedly have Broadway producers pounding at his door." Shortly thereafter, in January 2012, Nick took over the lead role of J. Pierrepont Finch in the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying on Broadway.

Nick has continued to expand his acting skills with guest appearances on television including ABC's "Mr. Sunshine" (2011), ABC's "Last Man Standing" (2011) and NBC's musical drama, "Smash" (2012).

The Jonas Brothers recently returned from a three-year hiatus with the hit single "Pom Poms." The highly-anticipated first single premiered at #1 on iTunes in over 16 countries, re-confirming that the group has new relevance and has taken their music to greater heights. The band spent the last year writing their upcoming fifth album, which was produced by Nick. The album is scheduled for release under the Jonas label, Jonas Enterprises, later this year.

The band will embark on their first North American tour in three years this summer as they hit cities across the U.S. and Canada with what will prove to be an epic concert experience for their fans. "Huawei and Huawei W1 Presents the Jonas Brothers Tour" will take the band to more than 25 stops across North America, including Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Toronto.

Nick is currently in production on the edgy thriller "Careful What You Wish For," directed by Elizabeth Allen and penned by Chris Frisina and Gregg Hurwitz. The film, which marks Jonas' first lead acting role in a feature film, centers on Doug (Jonas) who gets more than he bargained for when he starts having an affair with the young wife (Lucas) of an investment banker renting the lake house next door for the summer. Production is taking place in Charlotte, North Carolina.

About GIULIANA RANCIC:

Giuliana Rancic is an entertainment journalist, fashion and beauty expert and television personality with three million devoted followers on Twitter. She is the co-anchor of E! News, co-host of E!'s hugely popular "Fashion Police" team and has been on E!'s "Live From the Red Carpet" coverage for most every mega-event in the entertainment industry (Oscars, Grammy Awards, Golden Globes). She interviews the stars and gets breaking Hollywood scoop as well as fashion tips, diet and fitness advice, travel tips and all things pop culture. Rancic also will return for the third year as co-host of the Miss USA beauty pageant in June 2013, along with Nick Jonas.

Rancic and her husband, Bill Rancic, are the hosts for the dating series, "Ready for Love," produced by Eva Longoria, on nbc.com.

She is watched by millions each week on the Style Network on her hit reality show "Giuliana & Bill," which recently finished its fifth season -- the highest-rated season to date. Season six premiered last October.

In 2011, Rancic launched FabFitFun, a daily newsletter focused on beauty, health and wellness that reaches tens of thousands of readers. She is also a weekly fashion contributor for OK! magazine, where she offers commentary on some of the best looks of the week.

Her book, "I Do, Now What?," was recently released by Random House Publishing Group. Rancic co-authored the book with her husband, Bill Rancic.

Rancic recently created "Fab-U-Wish," a program to grant fashion, beauty and celebrity-themed wishes to women battling breast cancer. This program is just one aspect of her ongoing mission to help those going through hardships to find happiness and a positive outlook on life. Others include Bright Pink, Operation Smile, Dress for Success, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago and the Children's Miracle Networks.

In 2002, she joined E! News as a correspondent, and in 2005, became solo anchor and managing editor for the show, taking it from the lowest-rated show on the network to #1 -- incredibly within one year.

In 2006, Rancic released her highly praised debut book, "Think Like a Guy: How to Get a Guy By Thinking Like One." It is a practical and funny handbook of rules on landing the man of a woman's dreams. She also adapted the book to both film and television and has sold the book rights to Touchstone Television.

Rancic is a force both on-camera and off, but her remarkable success didn't come easily. She is a true result of "The American Dream" and an inspiration to people, both young and old. She was born in Naples, Italy, in a modest neighborhood, and moved to the United States when she was a little girl. Her love affair with television journalism began before she could even speak English -- her parents couldn't afford a tutor, so she learned the language by watching TV. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and a masters in journalism from American University. While in attendance, Rancic worked for a Capitol Hill news bureau covering a number of stories related to the Pentagon, Supreme Court, White House and State Department.

She lives in Los Angeles and Chicago with her husband, Bill and their son, Duke.

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