Serious beauty: A Miss USA primer from Nevada’s not-so-secret weapon, Shanna Moakler

By Erin Ryan

Sunday, June 5, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Sure, Miss Maryland USA looks tough doing pushups out at Red Rock Canyon, but this is Miss Nevada’s turf. Emelina Adams isn’t featured in that particular promo for Miss USA, but she was born and raised in the valley just beyond its beautiful backdrop. And speaking of beautiful, when Adams takes the stage for the mega-pageant June 5 at T-Mobile Arena, we have no doubt she’ll make like a pineapple — an idea straight from her Facebook page: Stand tall, wear a crown and be sweet on the inside.

Cheering her on will be Miss Nevada USA Executive Producer Shanna Moakler, who rocked the Miss USA tiara in 1995 and went on to become an actress and entrepreneur. Moakler has overseen Nevada’s Miss USA contenders since 2012, coming onboard after helping California take the title and end a dry spell of almost two decades.

In the flurry leading up to Sunday’s main event, we caught Moakler on the phone to chat about the evolution of the pageant world, the “gnarly job” of being in the spotlight, and what we need to know about the woman wearing the Silver State’s sash.

Despite the exhausting schedule and community-service aspects of a pageant queen’s reign, there’s a nagging perception that it’s all glamorous fun. Is that hooey?

What these girls do is a pretty gnarly job. People don’t think about it like that, but it’s intense.

In your years competing and now mentoring contestants, have you seen the pageant world change much?

Our hair and our gowns have changed, but a woman’s drive has not changed, whatsoever. Not from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000s and where we are now. ... The main reason why women get into pageantry is because they want to do more and they want to better themselves, and they have drive and they have ambition. And that’s never changed.

What should Las Vegans know about Miss Nevada USA 2016 Emelina Adams?

More than anything, she really cares about the title, and she cares about making the people of Nevada proud. And she’s worked so hard. She’s really done everything she could possibly do in preparation, working with interviewing coaches and really finding who she is and her opinions on so many different subjects. She does want to win; she does want the title. It’s not just about going out there and being part of a show. She wants the job, you know? Not every queen does. Some girls just want a crown and a banner, but she actually wants to win so that she can take her platform and really go out and make a difference. ... She’s really genuine.

You played a key role in shepherding Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez to her Miss USA win in 2014, after doing the same for California’s Alyssa Campanella in 2011, among others you’ve helped make it to the top three or 10. What’s your secret?

I’m the Queen Maker. (laughs) That’s my nickname. I sit down with them and I get to know them, and I care about them and become their friend. … I want to give to these girls what I wish I’d had. I’ve been in Hollywood for 20 years, and I have the contacts, I have the glam squad and I have the people that can help them. So I give them everything I have.

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Shanna's big-day tips for pageant gladiators

1. Breathe. “When they go to commercial and you have a minute to breathe, it’s incredibly important to take a moment and align yourself.”

2. If you don’t want to choke, listen to the question. “It happens to the best of us. The public will go, ‘Beauty queens are so stupid,’ and they’re really not. I’d love to put people on the spot with that much adrenaline going through their body after three weeks of a pageant schedule, filming and a year of preparation all for this one moment. Athletes choke all the time.”

3. Don’t worry about the dress not fitting. “Eat food! You’re not gonna gain weight. If anything you’re just gonna get hot and pass out if you don’t eat food.”

4. Trust butt glue for your swimsuit and Vaseline for your teeth.

5. Make sure you broke in those fancy shoes. “I tell them not to mess around. They get to wear one pair of shoes, so wear them all the time — break those bad boys in.”

6. Savor the moment. “Just put it all out on the table. ... It’s 30 seconds of your life; make it fun.”