Riyo, how are you dealing with being so far from home? Whats the biggest culture shock?
Riyo Mori: I lived in Canada for three years, so I’m used to being away from my family, but this is definitely a different situation. I have more pressure and more work to do, so I miss them but I can’t go home right away. I’m having so much fun. Meeting these wonderful girls, it’s OK. I’m homesick, but they’re like my family in New York. Rachel: We are. We’re like a family. TVGuide.com: Rachel, how do you think Tara Conner’s drinking controversy will affect your reign as Miss USA? Rachel: The beauty of the whole Miss Universe organization is that when it’s the end of one woman’s reign, she embarks on her new career and the new titleholder embarks on hers. So this is my year to show the USA what I’m made of and how I’m going to leave my mark on the organization. So I don’t dwell on it. Of course, Tara is a part of this show, so she does come back and she adds to the drama. I just have to think about being me and giving this job my all. By doing that, I’ll get so much back in return. TV
