Natalie Morales and Helio Castroneves on Miss Universe 2011: Going Home to Brazil

On September 1, 2011, NBC Universal held a press call with Miss Universe co-host Natalie Morales and guest judge Helio Castroneves ahead of the pageant's 60th anniversary broadcast, airing live from São Paulo, Brazil on September 12 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern on NBC. Andy Cohen would co-host alongside Morales on the night.

Natalie Morales: going home

For Morales, the assignment was personal. "I am half Brazilian and I lived there when I was seven to ten years old, so I know the beauty of Brazil and I couldn't be more excited," she said. She had returned to the country for the first time just that March, for a TODAY Show series on Brazil's economic rise: "In the next ten years it's going to become the world's fifth largest economy. It has wealth that is surprising all of us — from its oil reserves to its natural gas wealth." She described her childhood memories vividly: the American School of Rio, Copacabana and Ipanema Beach, the black-and-white sidewalks, Carnaval glimpsed on television because her parents wouldn't let her see it in person. Her grandmother and much of her mother's family still live there. "This really is a great chance for me to go back and introduce my two boys and my husband to that part of my family who they haven't met yet."

Helio Castroneves: the whole package

Castroneves, the IndyCar champion and Dancing with the Stars winner, was equally enthusiastic about the assignment — and about Brazil's moment: "Brazil is in right now. We're going to have the World Cup in 2014, the Olympics in 2016, and hosting Miss Universe just shows that we're getting better and better with events." On what he'd be looking for as a judge, he credited a conversation with his wife Adriana: "She said, 'You've got to look for something that is actually the whole package.' And it's true — she's going to be representing so many things: beauty, tradition, accomplishment." He drew a direct line from his Dancing with the Stars experience with Julianne Hough: "Being around beautiful ladies and seeing each one of the personalities — I think it's going to help me to pick the right one."

On what it takes to win

Both Morales and Castroneves pushed back on the idea that Miss Universe is simply a beauty competition. Morales was direct: "This is not a beauty contest. This is truly about picking someone who is an ambassador to the world — eloquent, intelligent, beautiful, because that always helps get the message out. But again, it's really about being able to be well-spoken and really deliver a positive image to the world." She noted that the winner would immediately become an advocate for AIDS and HIV awareness. Castroneves agreed: "People sometimes think about the model look — 'Oh, this one looks fantastic.' But it's not only one thing." He added a note of warmth for the competitors themselves: "You already achieved kind of the number one spot. Now it's just a matter of representing yourself, have fun — because you can't forget to have fun as well."

On being role models

Asked about role models from a parent's perspective — Morales has two sons, Castroneves a 20-month-old daughter — both reflected on what the title means. "Being a role model is really being truthful, honest with yourself," Morales said. "Because we are in the public eye so much, for me as a Hispanic and half Brazilian, it's an incredible opportunity to speak to a wider audience as our country is becoming much more multi-lingual." Castroneves kept it grounded: "I try to just be myself, but obviously in a way that people can look after. You've got to work, dedicate — so that you can achieve the success. And if it's meant to be, it will be."

The 2011 Miss Universe Pageant aired live on NBC on September 12, 2011, from São Paulo, Brazil. Natalie Morales and Andy Cohen co-hosted. — Premier Guide Miami also spoke with Helio Castroneves in a separate exclusive interview.

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