What Does Joyce Giraud and Corky Kouture Have in Common?

Corky Kouture recently had some major excitement when they sponsored and attended the Queen of the Universe Pageant On March 16^th at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills Los Angeles, California.  Lisa Riedel, owner of Corky Kouture, gifted the top ten winners, judges, and hosts with a Corky Kouture Gift Bag.   This is the second year in a row that CK has sponsored this event but the first year for Lisa to attend it in person!  I thought it would be fun to hear what it was like behind the scenes at such an event with so many reality stars present!  So, I asked Lisa if she would mind answering a few questions about her time there and share some pics with us (Everyone knows I am a Realty TV Freak!).  She was very generous and agreed.  

Read the full interview below: 

Post by Corky Kouture.

Lisa Riedel:  Well, let me first explain how I became aware of the Queen of the Universe Pageant and I how I became acquainted with Joyce Giraud de Ohoven. We found out about the event through a contestant last year that was looking for financial sponsors.  We wanted to make sure it was a legitimate event so I did the research and was very impressed with the owner (Joyce) and her  cause which is charity based with all proceeds benefiting UNESCO is the United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organization. I decided to contact them to see if they would be interested in having Corky Kouture as a product sponsor; without telling them that we were also a contestant sponsor as I didn't want to mix the two.  I wanted Corky Kouture to be chosen on its own merits.  I heard from Joyce herself and that’s how it happened.  We didn't attend last year but were able to this year and I am so glad because it really is a very glamorous and exciting event.  Joyce Giraud has created something very special and I am really proud of involving the Corky Kouture brand in The Queen of the Universe Pageant.

Me:  Okay, not many of us get to have an experience like you have had attending the Universe Pageant so please, tell us WHAT WAS IT LIKE???  Was it full of the glitz and glamour that we sitting at home imagine it to be like? 

Lisa Riedel:  YES!  It was very glamorous with beautiful people, clothes, and paparazzi - the whole enchilada. It was exactly what I envisioned and what others would imagine.  Everywhere you looked there was someone you would recognize as well as designers who created some of the women's dresses at the event. I was very excited to attend.

Queen of the Universe International Beauty Pageant at The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills Featuring: Ariel Diane King, Joyce Giraud Where: Beverly Hills, California, United States When: 16 Mar 2014 Credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

Me:   I bet CK was a smashing hit with the judges and the winner!  Did you have a favorite to win? 

Lisa Riedel:  I felt all the girls were great and I didn't have a particular favorite per say.  I applaud each of them for having the courage and ambition to try. And what an experience for them!  I will say Miss USA (Ariel Diane the winner) was very graceful, poised and had great answers to the questions asked of her so she certainly was deserving of the Title. Not to mention she is just beautiful.  And let me tell you, the prizes were incredible!!  WOW!  Prizes consisted of money, jewelry, clothing, shoes, classes, spa services, roses from the Ultimate Rose, Corky Kouture; the list seemed endless!!  You don't see all the prizes and the total values up there on the sponsors’ page but it is incredible!!!  It really is a first class operation.

Me:  Okay, honest - is Joyce as gorgeous in person as she is on the TV screen? 

Lisa Riedel:  Joyce is so beautiful, really!  But what impresses me most about her more than her beauty, is the fact she is so hands on with the Pageant and she is truly appreciative for her sponsors contributions.  She is someone who actually says THANK YOU personally and means it.  This is a woman who is beautiful, wealthy, has a happy marriage and children; you know, just is really living "the dream" but yet she has no arrogance about herself.  She really is the kind of woman who I believe is a woman's woman and wants to lift others up.  I really believe that based on my own personal experience with her.  And she was that way before she was on RHOBH(Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) because I dealt with her with the very first Queen of the Universe Pageant and she is exactly the same gracious woman.

Me:  Who else fun did you get to meet?

Lisa Riedel:  We met lots of fun people there. The first couple we met was Elizabeth Espinosa (CNN Latino) and her husband.  Her designer (he created a dazzling dress for the event for her) introduced us because my Tony is a Surgeon and Elizabeth Espinosas husband is also a doctor.  So, that was nice for Tony and her hubby to have conversation.  She was actually one of the judges and she is very personable and funny.  There was this beautiful African American gal who works for the Obama Administration that I really enjoyed conversing with very much.  We got lots of pictures with some of the BRAVO Reality Series Lisa &Ken Vanderpump, Kyle Richards, and David Cruz (Millionaire Matchmaker).  Let me tell you, David Cruz and his date or boyfriend were HANDSOME!!!!  We actually sat next to them at the Pageant and lots of other fun people like designers, photographers, sports figures; just lots of exciting and fun people.  We didn't go to the after party unfortunately because Tony wanted to catch a late dinner so we went to SUR Restaurant and Bar and got pictures with Arian and Tom Sandoval, as well as Scheana Marie from the cast VanderPump Rules.  I have to say, SUR is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! On the show you really can't envision how spacious it really is or the numerous vignettes there are.  It really is just fabulous!  I highly suggest if one gets an opportunity, they should go for the experience.  We also met Chuy from Chelsea Lately Show and got a picture with him too.  The best part of the night though was randomly meeting a group of 5 women from Orange County that we had a blast talking and hanging out with for a bit.  We will definitely call them on our next trip there.

Me:  So give us the inside scoop... who is your favorite housewife?  Okay - if picking one is too hard - give us your top two picks. 

Lisa Riedel:   Well of course my favorite would be Joyce.  No, I don't know her on a personal friend or even friend acquaintance level, but I do know her from a business perspective and she was gracious, thankful and accommodating so for that she is my numero uno FAVE!  LisaVanderpump is fabulously entertaining as are all of the cast members. RHOBH and RHOOC (Real Housewives of Orange County) (my two favorites of all the Housewives series), so really I can’t pick. I guess I just like watching the dynamics of all the gals who have been on the shows.  I think all the ladies have something unique to bring to the show which is what makes it entertaining.  I really do feel badly when they are fighting or not getting along though but at the same time I know if there wasn't that kind of drama most people wouldn't watch.  I especially didn't like the fighting when it involved Joyce because I feel with her Pageant she is a woman that these young girls are looking up to and are inspiring to be like her.  Also, she is trying to make a difference in the world so for me, I just hate to see someone like her in that kind of drama because she really is nice.  I do think she would really just like to get along with everyone. 

Me:  Where can we expect to see Corky popping up next; team up with or exciting vendor/sponsor at?   

Lisa Riedel:  Wherever there is a celebration going on is where you will see Corky Kouture! I am always open to opportunities for exposure to get Corky Koutures name out there.  But my BIGGEST dream and where I’d LOVE to see Corky Kouture pop up is my most favorite #1 Reality Show and Reality Celebrity - David Tutera!!  I LOVE his show! DavidTutera’s show has got just enough of everything in it.  It touches every emotion in me.  Every one of his shows makes me laugh, cry and I really learn a lot by watching.  His creations are just so magnificent! I would love, love, love to be one of his vendors for any of his events where CK fits in and to do some giveaways for his contests to his viewers.  Also, because both our brands amplify the same purpose - to bring special moments, create memories of happiness, give people experiences, and deliver a gift that is unique and personal.  Of course Oprah Winfrey would be right up there too because she's all about empowerment and feel good moments.  More importantly and the most thrilling and exciting feeling for me is knowing and experiencing that I through developing Corky Kouture I am making so many people smile for even just a moment for so many different reasons and occasions! It has been an amazing journey so far and I am so happy to be a part of touching others with Corky Kouture regardless of age, race, or body type. Our packaging offers unlimited possibilities.  How cool and exciting is that? 

FUN PICTURES!  

Chuy Bravo from Chelsea Lately Show

Kyle Richards and Lisa Riedel

Lisa Vanderpump and Lisa Riedel

 Scheana Marie

David Cruz

Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval

Graced by Joyce Giraud

Corky Kouture™ had the great honor of interviewing Joyce Giraud, an actress and model, a two time Miss Puerto Rico winner and the 2^nd runner up in the 1998 Miss Universe pageant. She is also known for representing Puerto Rico at Miss World 1994, and for her roles in in episodes of Baywatch; in the film Dude, Where's My Car?; and in the TV shows House of Payne and Joey. Joyce’s latest undertaking is the founding Queen Universe Pageant that will take place on January 27^th in Los Angeles.

Joyce Giraud obtained two Bachelor of Arts degrees before the age of 19 as well as one in Special Education.  Her love of children led her to work with the less fortunate children and residential homes in Puerto Rico. 

Joyce later married Michael Ohoven, a Film Producer and Founder/CEO of Infinity Media.  Joyce and Michael have two beautiful children. 

We wanted to know more about Joyce Giraud – what motivates her and her thoughts about the beauty industry.  We hope you enjoy the interview as much as we did giving it. 

CK:  At what age did you begin competing in pageants?

Joyce Giraud:  I started competing in pageants when I was 19

CK:  What do you feel is the most important quality for a pageant competitor to possess?

Joyce Giraud:  In my opinion the most important quality for a pageant competitor to have is self-confidence.  If you are self-confident and secure it simply projects and in order to be self-confident you have to be your true self.

CK: What are some of the major issues you feel girls and women face today when competing in pageants?  Thoughts on over the top Pageant Mom’s.

Joyce Giraud:  I think now days the one thing I really hate about pageants is when some girls enter for the wrong reasons.  I believe a pageant is an amazing platform that gives you a voice and if you use it correctly and are selfless about it you can truly make an impact and help the charities of your choice. 

About the stage pageant moms, I really hate it! I’m not saying little girls can’t participate in beauty pageants but it should ONLY be because it’s something they really want to do not because they have a mom that wants to live through them. I’m a mother of two and I would never force my babies to do something they didn’t want to do.

CK:  Has your perspective on pageants changed over the years and if so how?

Joyce Giraud:   My perspective of pageants has changed over the years and that is exactly the reason why I created Queen of the Universe.  I think pageants need to have the credibility they used to have before.

CK:  How do you feel your modeling and acting career has shaped you?

Joyce Giraud:   My modeling career was something that just happened. I was scouted by a photographer while I was working in Kentucky Fried Chicken so I could pay for my university studies.  Modeling was great because I found it quite easy to just stand in front of a camera and make enough money to pay for school.  It also gave me the opportunity to travel the world.

CK:  How have you been able to use your education in your current career?

Joyce Giraud:   I have two BA's One in Social Work and one in Special Education. I feel it my education shaped me and I feel I am able to use it almost on a daily basis. Social Work helps you deal with people and understand human beings.  We are all the same... just different shapes, colors, and sizes, but still the same.

CK:  What inspired you to create the Queen Universe Pageant?

Joyce Giraud:  I have been dreaming of creating a pageant that gives women the opportunity to represent their countries, be ambassadors of women, have a voice to help their charities and use their titles to further their careers and goals in life while not being judged for being married, single, or having children.  That’s how Queen of the Universe was born and each day I thank God for my amazing group of Queens. They are exactly what I dreamed!

CK:  What is the most valuable lesson you've learned while putting the pageant together?

Joyce Giraud:   While putting the pageant together, I would say the most valuable lesson I learned is something I learn each day – PATIENCE - Patience is the key to success and perseverance leads you to make your dreams a reality.

CK:  What advice would you give up and coming pageant competitors?

Joyce Giraud:   For any up and coming pageant competitors I would tell them that even though it sounds cliché, the best thing is to simply be yourself.  When you are simply you, everybody will love you because people can tell when someone is fake and just trying to impress a crowd.

For Fun Questions:

CK:  What is the one thing every girl should own?

Joyce Giraud:   The one thing every girl should own is a pair of mile high stilettos! They make you feel beautiful no matter what you are wearing :-)

CK:  Your favorite designer?

Joyce Giraud:   My favorite main stream designer is Roberto Cavalli but MY FAVORITE DESIGNER IN THE WORLD is my amazing friend David Antonio who has made my dress for every major moment of my life. He made my graduation dress, my Miss Puerto Rico dress, my Miss Universe dress, my Miss Venus dress, my Queen of the Atlantics dress, my dress I word when my husband was nominated to the Oscars, and my favorite of them all, MY WEDDING DRESS!!

CK:  Most fun modeling job you ever did and why?

Joyce Giraud:   The most fun modeling job I ever did was for a client who took us (two models) to shoot in the Caribbean on a cruise. We had the time of our life :-) I will always remember that shoot.   The worst was for a client that flew me to London to model bikinis in the snow!  I was miserable because I hate the cold!
:-) 

CK:  If you could model for anyone you haven’t already modeled for, who would it be and why?

Joyce Giraud:  If I could model for anyone it would be for Channel because I’m just in love with the brand and everything in the collection.

Make sure to check out the Queen of the Universe Pageant!  Get to know Joyce more and follow her on Twiter at Joyce Giraud on Twitter and on Facebook at  Queen of the Universe and Joyce Giraud!