Miss Teen USA Tami Farrell talks about her struggle to transition from beauty queen to A-list actress

To read about Tami's struggle to become an actress in Hollywood, don't miss From Model to Actress: Taking Flight!

During my year as Miss Teen USA, I traveled the world as a youth advocate. I walked the runways for New York Fashion Week, mastered the red carpet at premieres and parties, and became friends with celebrities! I signed autographs, made television appearances, and helped raise over $21 million for charity. I was trained by one of the most amazing acting schools in New York, and was blessed to get to record for the first time with a music master. I lived that entire year in a dream.

When my Miss Teen USA reign ended in 2004, my dreams carried me from New York to California, and I settled in Hollywood to continue pursuing my dreams.

The thing about dreams is that you eventually have to wake up.

I awoke almost the moment I moved to LA. I stayed on my friend Justin's couch for my first two months in LA, while I looked for a place of my own. I worked two or three jobs at a time just to get by. I looked at my bank account only to discover it was empty more times then I'd like to admit. Like many other starving artists, Top Ramen became my food of choice.

However, I was blessed to be working with some of the top modeling and acting agencies. I scored a major coup when I met my manager, whose client list looks like a cover of People's Top 100. Winning the Miss Teen USA competition definitely came with a few perks! But at the time, I didn't know how lucky I was to have a team behind me with little to no effort made on my behalf to find them. A title, however, can only do so much for you.

While working full-time as a jewelry store salesperson, as a nanny, and a caterer, lunch breaks became an ideal time for auditions. I took acting classes at night and lessons on life during my days. I found what it meant to be "a work in progress." I was blessed and often humbled. I watched my former roommates climb the ladder toward success. While they landed hosting, modeling, and acting jobs, I continued to work on my "True Hollywood Story."

Tami Farrell currently lives in LA and is pursuing her acting career. She has appeared on the popular soap opera Passions and made a cameo appearance in the short film Let Some Air In. She has served as a judge for several beauty pageants, including Miss Washington USA 2006 and Miss California USA 2006. Tami is also pursuing a recording career in Nashville and has begun recording her break-out demo CD.

Tami Farrell, a native of Phoenix, Oregon, was crowned Miss Teen USA in 2003, and also was honored to be voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow delegates. During her reign, Tami set a record for Teen USA titleholders in raising more than $21 million for charity. She continues her volunteer work as a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association and The Sparrow Club.

See the original article at Pageantry Magazine: Waiting in the Wings

Have a question? Ask our experts!