LAS VEGAS - As the Miss America festivities continue during the week, Nicole Rash sat in a Planet Hollywood hotel lobby.
Across the hall, her directors, Frank Ricketts and Aren Howell, said they sat across the hall and could only wave hello.
"We don't interact with her freely all day," Ricketts said.
Because Rash is competing for Miss America, she has to compete without an immediate support team. The help she received because of her Miss Indiana status will not be present as often, the directors said.
During Rash's tenure as Miss Indiana, she took online classes to handle her busy schedule of traveling.
Her directors said she would be on the road at least three days a week to speak with adults and children. She was often with her directors or mom, they said.
For this pageant, although her friends and family are congregating in Las Vegas for the Miss America competition, she will have a limited time to see them.
She must do her own hair and makeup during the preliminary events.
"Makeup artists are not allowed," Ricketts said. "If you become Miss America, you're doing your own hair and makeup."
Ricketts said he and Howell aren't worried about Rash's fashion savvy.
"She knows how to do [makeup and hair] by herself," he said.
Before Miss America, the directors said, Rash received help from a team of people now absent from her view.
Ricketts said a preparation team from the Miss Indiana organization helped her with her wardrobe, and she also had a photographer.
Howell said Rash had access to interview coaches preparing her for on-stage questions and judges' interviews.
Ricketts said Estee Lauder had provided Rash's makeup because it was "like the official" makeup company of Miss Indiana.
Nicole even designed her own evening gown, the directors said, and Project Runway contestant, Jonathon Cane, made her talent gown.
The money used to purchase the gowns and put Nicole through the pageants is from Miss Indiana Pageant, Miss America and Rash's personal fundraising.
The money spent on a competition isn't about how expensive the makeup or outfits are, the directors said, but how the contestants feel and look.
Howell said contestants could go to Walgreens for makeup if they wanted.
"We have," Ricketts said with a chuckle. "We're not snooty."
Howell said contestants could wear a $3,000 dress, but if the contestant didn't feel ready for the crown, it was not the right dress.
"If you put on a $100 gown and you feel like Miss America, then that's the answer," she said.
Rash has also worn dresses that she has worn before, the directors said.
"We had a girl compete in a swimsuit from Goodwill," Ricketts said.
Although, that was a long time ago when they were local pageant directors, he said, the swimsuit did look good on her.
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