These days the Miss USA pageant is about more than just evening gowns, swimsuits and world peace; it’s about advocacy for both global and local organizations that are on a mission to educate, inform and even save lives.
This year, The Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions – co-sponsored by Donald Trump and NBC Universal – are committed to raising awareness for breast and ovarian cancers by working with organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Gilda’s Club – both of which are focused on research and education in these areas.
Hosting the Miss USA competition are Bravo’s Executive Vice President of Development and Talent Andy Cohen, and E! News anchor and managing editor Giuliana Rancic, who is a breast cancer survivor herself.
In a recent press event promoting the pageant, Rancic opened up to Diets In Review about her recovery from breast cancer, and how she approached health in the days and months after her treatment was completed.
With breast cancer awareness being promoted by the pageant, it makes her even happier to be a part of the show. Rancic said she’s always chatting with the girls to see what their platforms are, and that she holds a special place in her heart for those championing breast cancer awareness.
To get back to into a fitness and wellness regimen after her double mastectomy earlier this year, the star said she took things nice and slow.
“I gotta say, someone just tweeted me today – a 29-year-old girl who’d just had a mastectomy and was having a hard time getting back into working out,” she said. “But getting back into it is all about just about taking those first, few baby steps.”
Of her own journey, Rancic said, “At the beginning it was so hard, I would walk around my house, then walk around the block, and then walk around my neighborhood. Just this morning I was on the treadmill running at a 7.5 mile per hour pace…doing sprints. And I thought ‘Wow!’ I can’t believe it was only four months ago that I got a double mastectomy.”
The pageant host also said, “It’s a great feeling to know that even when you’re so low and so sad, and you feel like you are never going become yourself again…in just a little time you can make a comeback, but you have to start very slow. And although that was hard for me to do, it was everything.”
We find Rancic’s story inspiring, and are especially impressed at how she’s made such a tremendous recovery in a short period of time. Admist the excitement, the star and her husband, Bill Rancic, are also expecting their first child this summer via surrogate, and are hoping for a big brood of kids in the future.
Rancic and Andy Cohen are sure to put on a good show for the second year in a row as hosts. During the press event, Cohen said he and Giuliana get along fabulously and even joked that they’re like a “dating couple, except we’re not going to go all the way at the end of the night.”
Cohen’s especially looking forward to the live aspect of the show as it moves so quickly. “I’m just excited about going along for the ride, and spending the weekend in Vegas with Giuliana,” he said.
For Rancic, she loves that the show is live because anything can happen. “I’ve been watching pageants my whole life,” she said, “and the craziest things happen! For us to be able to be there seeing it all take place is great.”
The 2024 Miss USA Competition will air live from 9 to 11p.m. ET, on Sunday, June 3, from Las Vegas, Nevada. Be sure to tune in to see which contestant gets crowned, and to see Rancic and Cohen in action.
Also Read:
Preventing Breast Cancer with Nutrition
Diet Recommendations for Breast Cancer Survivors
Diet and Fitness Secrets of Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Hudson and Other Sexy Celebs
photos from zimbio and stylebistro