Andy Cohen and Shandi Finnessey on Miss Universe 2011: Brazil, Confidence, and the Final Question

Andy Cohen and Shandi Finnessey said it plainly: "You don't want someone to come out and say, wow, look at that dress. You want them to say, wow, look at that girl. — Sha…" — and Premier Guide Miami was in the room when it happened.

On September 8, 2011, NBC Universal held a press call with Miss Universe co-host Andy Cohen and guest star Shandi Finnessey ahead of the pageant's live broadcast from São Paulo, Brazil on September 12 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. Premier Guide Miami's Daedrian McNaughton was first in the queue — and asked the first questions of the call, directing them to both guests.

Cohen was returning to the pageant stage after co-hosting Miss USA earlier in the year, which had posted some of the highest ratings the franchise had seen in years. Finnessey, a former Miss USA herself, was on the ground in São Paulo and had already been reviewing contestant bios and gown photos ahead of the broadcast. Natalie Morales would co-host alongside Cohen on the night.

Premier Guide Miami's Daedrian McNaughton opened the call with the following questions:

Andy, will you be giddy during your hosting duties this year or will you be staying aloof? And what tips would you offer the women competing?

Andy Cohen: Absolutely — I'm always giddy. I think I probably will be. I'm going to be very excited to be in Brazil and to be presiding over this sumptuous pageant. As for tips — oh, my Lord. I couldn't offer them tips. I mean, I think they already look great. They just need to bring it. And I think that final question is the defining moment, really. They already know how to walk and model and strut — but that final question, they have to be smart and sharp.

Shandi, what advice would you offer the women competing? And what do contestants do to calm their nerves?

Shandi Finnessey: The number one thing that gives a girl the "it" factor and makes her stand out is confidence. Obviously all these girls are beautiful — they've already won their pageant in their home country and they're considered the icon of beauty from wherever they're from. So it's the girl who's really confident in her own skin who stands out because of that. And I don't think personally that the final question matters too much — because by that point you've already seen the girl compete in so many different phases of competition that you already know who could probably handle the job of being Miss Universe to the best of their ability. The final question only really comes into play when you're torn between two girls. Obviously if one girl completely flubs it she could fall in her ranking, but otherwise it doesn't weigh as much as people think. As for nerves — it's different for everyone. I ate a bunch of peppermint candies before the interview because I wanted the peppermint to calm my nerves but the sugar to give me a little rush so I had energy. I also did a lot of deep breathing, and the nights before I went to bed I would do some meditation. But it's like a sisterhood — almost like a sorority, a very elite sorority — and so you just bond with the girls and laugh it out, and that kind of helps.

Andy, are we going to have Watch What Happens After? Can you fight for it?

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Cohen: We're not this time, sadly. I wish — but we didn't do it this time. I can't unfortunately. But it would have been fun. I think I'm excited after the pageant to just go out and celebrate.

On Brazil and the international scale of the pageant

Cohen described his excitement about the broadcast in expansive terms: "I've never been to Brazil; I've always wanted to go. I love it that this is a worldwide event — it airs everywhere. Over about a billion viewers around the world see this. And I'm excited to work with Natalie Morales, who I worked with a little bit at the Kentucky Derby a few years ago. The whole thing just seems great." He added that he hoped some of the energy of Carnaval would translate to the show: "The idea of Brazil to me is just a huge party."

On gowns, fashion, and what actually wins

Finnessey, already on the ground in São Paulo, had been reviewing contestant bios and gown photos and described a wide range of styles: "Some pretty basic and simple, some very elegant, some more high fashion and runway, and then some that are just really trying to make a statement." Her own preference was clear: "I like simple with a great fit. Nothing beats a really great fit on a dress. You don't want someone to come out and say, wow, look at that dress. You want them to say, wow, look at that girl. Something that just compliments her — and usually that means going a little more simple." She also flagged the most common pageant faux pas: "Girls want to be really edgy with their wardrobe and they want a gown that stands out. And instead of doing something simple where you see the girl's beauty, you end up seeing tons of material or sequins or tassels hanging from their garment and it's distracting."

Why Miss Universe still works

Asked why pageants continue to draw audiences, Finnessey offered a pointed comparison: "If you look at Miss America, which continues to lose ratings, they're obviously missing something. The reason Miss USA and Miss Universe still work is because they're so relevant. We change with the times. A girl who wins Miss USA becomes a national spokesperson for breast and ovarian cancer. A woman chosen as Miss Universe becomes an advocate for AIDS and HIV awareness. She's making a difference. She's a girl you would want to see somewhere and want to be friends with — she's sexy, she's opinionated, and she embraces all of that." Cohen agreed on the format: "It's exciting, it's fun, it's fun to look at women competing for this great title. Everybody has a pick and you don't know what's going to happen."

The 2011 Miss Universe Pageant aired live on NBC on September 12, 2011, from São Paulo, Brazil. Andy Cohen and Natalie Morales co-hosted. — Premier Guide Miami also spoke with Andy Cohen ahead of the Miss USA Pageant and with Shandi Finnessey in a separate exclusive conversation.

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