Kim Gravel’s Pageant Secrets: Mentoring the Next Crown Winner

*This transcript was auto-generated*

Kim Gravel:

This week, I'm talking to a young woman who is about to do the biggest beauty pageant of her life. Y', all, I'm stepping back into my KOQ days.

Lexi Muccio:

Everything you said on the show, I was thinking to myself, I'm using this.

Kim Gravel:

It's really important when you are in front of the judges that you believe in you.

Lexi Muccio:

Oh, I'm so happy we're having this conversation. To me, it sounds like I'll have a little more control if I do that.

Kim Gravel:

Abso freaking lutely.

Lexi Muccio:

You get it.

Kim Gravel:

The most important thing is. Hey, y'. All. Welcome to the Kim Gravel Show. This is your weekly dose of encouragement, hope, and a little bit of laughter. I'm Kim, and as always, I'm joined by my favorite producer of all time. Hey, Zac.

Zac Miller:

Hey, Kim.

Kim Gravel:

Wow.

Zac Miller:

Thank you for that.

Kim Gravel:

I know. Can I just tell you, this is a. People might not know this, but you were a producer on the Kim Gravel, not the Kim Gravel Show. You are the producer of the Kim Gravel Show. You were the producer, one of the producers on Kim of Queens with Lifetime. Do you remember that? That's how we met.

Zac Miller:

I was the production manager on Kim of Queens, and that is how we met. And I love that show. I look back so fondly. It was one of those shows that I. It's. You know, I didn't know what to expect going in, and it ended up being one of the best things I've ever done.

Kim Gravel:

Well, you know, not because. Just because it was us and me. But then you just loved working with us, I think, also because you loved the message.

Zac Miller:

So the show had a soul. It had a heart and a soul and a message. And you don't always know if you're getting that, especially in a show about beauty pageants, you know?

Kim Gravel:

Yeah. Well, to me, that's where it all starts. It's all in the heart. On an episode with Addison, I said it's all in the face, but really it's in the heart, and then it comes out the face. But we're doing something different today.

Zac Miller:

You don't know what we're doing today. Well, you sort of know what you're doing today. You know that we are doing.

Kim Gravel:

You just said we're doing something different, and it involves a young girl in a beauty pageant. That's all you said.

Zac Miller:

Yes. Okay. So we are reviving this segment, Kim, called Gravel Mail. Gravel Mail.

Kim Gravel:

Oh, my gosh. Lance Bass, if you're listening, and Drew Pokorny, if you're. Remember, Gravel mail from our SiriusXM Lance Bass series. XM, right? Oh, yes, honey.

Zac Miller:

So tell the people what gravel mail is. Let's let them know.

Kim Gravel:

Okay. Gravel mail was Lance Pass right around. Kim of Queens. This is so great. He asked me, he was a fan of the show and he asked me to come on and do this like Dear Abby advice radio column call in thingy on his show. And so people would call in with questions and then I would just give my advice and my answers really candidly from that point of view of like a trainer of people and pageants and all things. What should I do? You know, I have a lot of opinions.

Zac Miller:

Oh, do you, Kim? I had no idea.

Kim Gravel:

I do. And I also. It was so popular because people would call in, like, should I. I just caught my boyfriend cheating. What should I do? I just. My mother in law is evil. How should I handle it? I mean, it was just great questions about life and about everything I loved.

Zac Miller:

I went back and listened to a bunch of those. I wish there were more of them online, actually. And that's part of the reason why we're bringing this back. Because I want to. To be more gravel male in the world.

Kim Gravel:

Okay, but we're doing it.

Zac Miller:

But let me tell you so. Okay, so you have no idea who I bring on this week. I will tell you. Her name is Lexi. She lives in New York. She is about to do a massive beauty pageant this weekend. So this is gonna be. She emailed us a few months ago asking for your advice.

Kim Gravel:

Oh, yes, I got it.

Zac Miller:

Now at the very last second, you're gonna swoop in and you are going to. Well, let's just see what. Let's just talk to her.

Kim Gravel:

Okay. We're about to talk to Lexi, our Padgett girl. But first, we wanted to say a huge thank you to everybody who is hearing this right now. If you're listening, that means you're listening to the show. And I just wanna personally say thank you and that I love you and appreciate you. I also want to ask you for a personal favor. Please share this episode with a friend. Word of mouth will help us grow so we can keep making this show better every single week.

Kim Gravel:

And you are my marketing people. I want you to share it, tell everybody about it, and just know that I love and appreciate you for it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means the world to me. For right now, though, let's get back to the episode. Lexi, Hi.

Kim Gravel:

Oh, my gosh. You're just absolutely gorgeous. Hello, future Miss New York. You're gorgeous.

Lexi Muccio:

Oh, my gosh.

Kim Gravel:

It's so nice to meet you, Lexi. I am so excited you are going to Miss New York.

Lexi Muccio:

Quinn, I'm leaving tomorrow, so it's a three day weekend. Yeah.

Kim Gravel:

Okay. Okay. Here we go. Here we go. You sent me an email, Zac. Do you have the email? Can we read the email? I haven't. I haven't even read the email, Lexi. This is kind of a surprise to me.

Kim Gravel:

I've got lots to share. So read the email, Zac.

Zac Miller:

Okay, Lexi.

Kim Gravel:

Or should Lexi read the email? Maybe Lexi should read the memo.

Lexi Muccio:

Oh, my gosh. I'd have to find it.

Kim Gravel:

Let me tell you something, Lexi. I'm always watching. I'm always learning. So as you read this, I'm watching. You know what I'm saying? We'll talk about it. Go ahead.

Lexi Muccio:

My name is Lexi Muccio. I am 24 years old, a freelance model, dancer, and a teacher from Long Island, New York. That being said, I was chosen to be a contestant for the Miss New York pageant, The preliminary pageant for Ms. USA. Obviously, I have watched you on Kim of Queens for years now, which influenced me to reach out to you. I know this is a long shot, but I quite literally have nothing to lose with the experience that you have as a former Miss Georgia. I was wondering if there's any way I could chat with you, maybe get advice or even coaching for this competition. If not, I'd even appreciate if you could possibly direct me to somebody who can guide me with my assets.

Lexi Muccio:

I feel I have a real shot to do well in this competition. However, I have not done pageants since I was a child. I'd appreciate any guidance you can provide me. I hope to hear from you soon. Kind regards, Lexi.

Kim Gravel:

Okay. Okay. First of all, the absolute courage it took to even write the email. You're one step closer to Miss New York going to Miss usa. Future Miss USA here. Okay. Number two, the fact that you're a teacher. Tell me all about your teaching just really quick.

Kim Gravel:

I'm trying to learn a little bit more about you before we go all in.

Lexi Muccio:

Sure. So I recently graduated with my bachelor's degree in special education last year. And right out of college, I landed a job. I teach at a Title 3 school. I teach resource room. So it's small groups all day long with children who have special needs. And it's something I'm really passionate about. And my mom is actually a teacher, so I think I take a little bit from her.

Kim Gravel:

Okay, so why do you want to be Miss New York?

Lexi Muccio:

Well, going off of my teaching career, I think it would Be a really great platform for me to show support for neurodiverse individuals. To go back a little bit. I also want to mention my younger sister has autism, so she's also a big reason as to why I feel it's important to support individuals that are neurodiverse because I feel like they don't always have the same opportunities that people like you and I have. And so I think this would be a great way for me to show my support on a greater scale. Also, I'd love to be Miss New York. I mean, let's be honest. I do freelance modeling, and this could really help my modeling career. So I would love for that to happen as well.

Lexi Muccio:

I think there's so many benefits to getting the title, but even just being a finalist is. I'm happy with.

Kim Gravel:

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Lexi Muccio:

Stop.

Kim Gravel:

No, no. There is no finalist. It's win. Okay, I'm gonna ask you a few more questions. I've already found two or three things that I'm gonna sharpen that knife for you. You're gonna be sharper than a Ginsu knife, girl. When you hit that stage and you hit that interview. Okay, past Padgett passed.

Kim Gravel:

You mentioned you did pageants as a kid. Talk to me about that.

Lexi Muccio:

Honestly, I don't have much experience. I did do some local pageants when I was very little. I would say between 7 and 10 years old. They were not glitzy pageants. They were just kind of little ones in hotels. And I remember my mom got me a dress from Macy's, and she put my hair up in a bun, and I just walked out there, and I got a prettiest smile sash. So that's something.

Kim Gravel:

No doubt there.

Lexi Muccio:

But, yeah, I mean, that's really all of my experience. And I think my modeling career, I have a freelance personal brand that I've been building, and I think that has really helped me as well. But overall, not too much pageant experience.

Kim Gravel:

Couple of things. First of all, you are absolutely stunning.

Lexi Muccio:

Thank you.

Kim Gravel:

You are gorgeous. And the more I look at you, the more more beautiful you become. The more you talk, the more beautiful you become. No doubt you won best smile, but, like, just the physicality of your presence is absolutely stunning. So, hey, you're. You're one up on me when I did pageants. Trust me, you. You got that before anything else.

Lexi Muccio:

Oh, my gosh.

Kim Gravel:

Thank you very. You're very. You're very well spoken, Lexi. You're very well spoken. I will say now we are in a virtual situation here, so I don't know the setup at Miss New York, but I want to tell you the importance of looking someone dead in their eye. Okay?

Lexi Muccio:

Okay.

Kim Gravel:

Because when you talk, you probably don't even notice this. You always look up. You're always looking up for your words. You're always looking up. Now, what that says is a. I'm trying to decide what I'm going to say, and, baby, I'm not so sure if what I'm saying is good enough. Right.

Lexi Muccio:

Okay.

Kim Gravel:

Now, it could be just because we're virtual, I don't know, because we're not. But I just want you to be aware that there is something about a beautiful woman like yourself that can walk into a interview and look a man or woman sitting behind that table or anybody for that matter of fact. For a matter of fact, dead in the eye. And you never drop eye contact first, ever. I mean, have you ever seen those westerns and those guys and they walk out and they've got their guns and they sit out there and they're looking at each other, and it's like, dun, dun, dun. I mean, seriously, that's how deadlocked and aware you need to be of eye contact. Because that is a sign of absolute confidence that the judges are looking for, at the end of the day, a good platform, a great story. Yay.

Kim Gravel:

Everybody's got one. But can she do the job with the media and New Yorkers, they don't play. New York. People do not play. It is a whole different ball game in New York. I mean, you almost have to have, you know, your guns loaded, so to speak, with, you know, how you look, how you think, how you talk, the strength. I mean, when you think of Miss New York, I remember Miss New York and Miss America, she didn't play. She was some attorney somewhere doing some big old hotshot stuff.

Kim Gravel:

And she was a baller shot caller. So to go in Miss New York, you want to be. You've got the resume, and we're going to talk about that in a minute. But I want you to look those judges, me and whomever you're speaking to. If you're on stage, you look each judge dead in the eye. Make sure make them make eye contact with you. Does that resonate with you?

Lexi Muccio:

Yes. Thank you so much for that because I recently did some content with my boyfriend promoting this competition. And I actually did notice I'm doing it right now as we speak.

Kim Gravel:

It's a habit.

Lexi Muccio:

Yeah. In the video, I'm looking up a lot. I'm not looking directly at the camera. And that is Something I did notice. So I'm really happy that you brought that up because I definitely need to work on that.

Kim Gravel:

And it's a shame because you're very confident. Do you know what I'm saying? So it's one of those things where it's going to set you apart because most people don't look, especially your generation, do not look people in the eye. It's a tough thing to do these days because we're here 100%.

Lexi Muccio:

Right?

Kim Gravel:

We're here. Okay. Number two, I want you to self promote like you've never self promoted before. And it's going to be tough for you to do that.

Lexi Muccio:

Okay.

Kim Gravel:

Because you're very, very. You are. I can tell you're a person of great integrity.

Lexi Muccio:

I do try.

Kim Gravel:

Based on what you do for a living, you have to have a good heart. And number two, see how you just did that? What'd you just say to me?

Lexi Muccio:

Yeah, what'd you say that I do try.

Kim Gravel:

You don't try. You are so saying so there. You have to work on self promotion, and it's really important that when you are in front of the judges that you believe in you, which I think you do, right?

Lexi Muccio:

I do, yeah.

Kim Gravel:

I'm gonna ask you how to. I'm gonna ask you to tell me what that looks like in a second. You've got to make sure the judges understand that you believe in you whether they believe in you or not.

Lexi Muccio:

Right.

Kim Gravel:

That ain't your job. To convince them that you need this job is not your job. Because if you don't get that job, that is their loss. So when you go into this competition, you're leaving tomorrow. I want you to practice that mindset with every single person you meet. You go, Kim. Well, that's not being humble. You.

Kim Gravel:

You don't have to work on being humble. I can tell you, you have a lot of humility. You have a lot of integrity. You don't need to work on something you already got. I want you to work on that. I want you to work on that presence that you. You physically have my love. You're so beautiful.

Kim Gravel:

And I want that power to come within. Okay? I want her. I want that Lexi to show up and say, I deserve this job, I'll be excellent at this job, and you need me in this job. Okay. Ask me a question, any question right now, and I'm going to show you the two ways of response. Ask me anything.

Lexi Muccio:

What do you like to do for fun?

Kim Gravel:

Well, I like to do a lot of things. I like to, you know, Run my businesses. And I like to help people. I like to. Okay, ask me the question again.

Lexi Muccio:

What do you like to do for fun?

Kim Gravel:

Well, I do a lot of things and I have to squeeze the fun in. For me, fun to me is work. Fun to me is giving back to my community. Fun to me is sitting right here with you, talking to you in this interview, auditioning, applying for this job of being Miss New York. Because fun and value go together for me. So if I can have fun and add value to whatever I'm participating in, that is what brings me joy. That is the fun. So if you say, kim, what do you like to do for fun? I like to do this.

Kim Gravel:

I like to be sitting here talking to you, encouraging you and your next steps to become Miss New York. And if you give me that opportunity, we will have fun all year long.

Lexi Muccio:

10 out of 10.

Kim Gravel:

The difference is, Lexi, I'm 54, so I'm older than dirt. The difference is you're asking for the job and then you're telling people you need me in this job. And if you do that, you will never, ever lose. You might not win the crown because they might be idiots. They might not know what they're doing. And listen, I've met a lot of idiots sitting behind the judges table. Okay? But I guarantee you, you will be different. You will stand out, you'll be unique.

Kim Gravel:

Because no one's doing that in a real, honest, authentic way. Right?

Lexi Muccio:

Yes. I. This is making me think about when I was trying to get a teaching job and they gave similar advice. Go in there like you already have the job. And so what you were just talking about made so much sense. And also with that question specifically, I really like how you brought up the fact that everything that you're doing, you find the fun in everything. And I think that is a more personal response, which is something that I would like to do when I have this interview. It's an in person interview.

Kim Gravel:

So, okay, I want you to write down a couple of phrases you need to add to your vocabulary immediately. Yeah, get to it. Write it down. I want to add value. You don't want to work hard. You don't even want to work smart. You want to add value.

Lexi Muccio:

Okay.

Kim Gravel:

Adding value is such a high level phrase that people. It's a hook people remember. So when you talk to the judges, you need to work that in. I want to add value. My goal in life, when I go into the classroom to teach my young children who are special needs, who do have to have that personal attention, my only goal is to add value to their lives. Okay, so that's a phrase. Add value. Number two is I've realized not I've learned, not of experienced.

Kim Gravel:

I've realized through my experience. I've realized through my learning. People love to see young people who have learned, accepted, am, implemented direction. Right. PE people your age don't talk about their personal experiences enough. And as a person who has an 18 year old child, you've had them. So any way you can work in the phrase I've realized that is a trigger word like adding value add. And then you can follow it up with a personal experience.

Kim Gravel:

Okay, got it. Another one is if you can. I don't know if you can. But point duly noted. That is a phrase that ends it. So whenever someone comes up to me in an interview or in a business situation and they say what they want or what they think, I say, you know, what point do we noted meaning I hear you, I see you, I've registered it. I might not agree with it, I might not like it. And I say that because I was challenged in my Miss America interview about the abortion topic and I did not handle it well.

Kim Gravel:

And the judge did not handle it well. It was very, very politically motivated, which I'm not going to get into it, but I wish I would have known. Point duly noted. I wish. Because what would have happened is my score would have gone way up because I handled. Because sometimes judges do that to see how you're going to handle the press. Right?

Lexi Muccio:

Right. Yeah.

Kim Gravel:

So that's going to help you with the press. If someone says, yes, this is what I believe, and they say, da, da, da, da. Pointedly noted. And you move on. So those are three phrases that have really served me in interview. And then you just because you win it in interview, because let me tell you something, Lexi, looking at you right now and seeing your body and everything, you gonna win it on stage. That ain't an issue.

Lexi Muccio:

Thank you.

Kim Gravel:

You went into the interview, it's true. So make sure the interview, you control another quickie, quickie. And then I'm gonna get. I'm gonna let you speak again. When people ask you a question, here are my three rules. And if you'll start practicing this just in your mind, just start when your mom asks you a question, practice it. When somebody asks you a question at the thing, practice this. Answer the question.

Kim Gravel:

So maybe it's a yes or no question. Or do you like coffee or tea? I like tea. Tell me why. So you say, oh, Kim, do you like coffee or tea? I like tea because I'm from the south and we were raised on sweet tea. And then give me an example, Kim, do you like coffee or tea? I like tea because I was raised in the south and we grew up on sweet tea. I remember that time when my grandmother, my first time ever drinking sweet tea, was on the porch with my grandmother. And I think there was like a gallon of sugar in the 18 ounce glass. And I drank that stuff up like it was.

Kim Gravel:

Like it was candy. And I was hooked ever since. Do you see? Yes, I answered the question. I told you why, and I gave you an example. Bare minimum, do that. And then if you can steer, I call it the steer method. So if you could steer. Kim, do you like tea or coffee? I like tea.

Kim Gravel:

I like tea because I was raised in the south and I drank tons of it all the time. I remember my grandmother first gave me sweet tea. I was sitting on her front porch. It had a gallon of sugar in it. It just tasted like candy. So I was hooked. But I'll tell you what else I like. I like working out because I've learned to balance in my.

Kim Gravel:

See how I steered it and went somewhere else where I wanted to go. You lead the conversation. You don't wait for their questions. You. You give them more questions to ask. Does that make sense?

Lexi Muccio:

Yeah, it. To me, it sounds like I'll have a little more control if I do that.

Kim Gravel:

Okay. And scene. We're done. Absolutely. You get it. You're in control. That is brilliant. Oh, my God, you're so smart.

Kim Gravel:

Nobody ever gets it. I do this with people. They're like, does that mean I. I'm like, oh, God, you get it.

Lexi Muccio:

Well, I read a lot of books about perspective and also having control over yourself. Because throughout my life, I've really struggled with trying to control situations and other people. So that really did resonate with me because I'm trying to learn to control myself in situations I cannot control. If that makes sense.

Kim Gravel:

Yeah. Tell me a time where. Where that's worked for you.

Lexi Muccio:

So this is a little more personal, but actually, my boyfriend.

Kim Gravel:

Always make it personal. Always make it personal.

Lexi Muccio:

So my boyfriend, before we started dating, he actually told me that he wasn't ready for anything. And I had been seeing him for a little bit. We weren't exclusive, but we were seeing each other and it was getting more serious. And out of nowhere, he just pulled back. And. Can I be honest, Kim? I was so mad.

Kim Gravel:

Yeah, I was so typical. Yeah.

Lexi Muccio:

Because. Yeah, I was like, really? Where?

Kim Gravel:

Okay, can I stop you? Can I stop you? Can I stop you when you said can I be honest, Kim. Love it. Love it. If you can find out the judges names and put a face with the name and do that in the middle of a fricking question. Burrell. Okay, go ahead. Point Duke. Zac.

Kim Gravel:

We got us some Miss New York.

Zac Miller:

Ding, ding, ding.

Kim Gravel:

That's it. I got a cold. Chills. Okay, go ahead, honey. I didn't mean to interrupt you. I just wanted you to remember that. That was like. Can I be honest with you, Cam? I was like, yes, you can, honey.

Kim Gravel:

I'm in. I'm bought in. Okay, Kat.

Lexi Muccio:

So he did this, and I was very mad, but I chose to act as if it didn't really bother me that much. When he said it, I pretty much said, his name's Cameron. I said, cameron, it's okay if you're. If you're not ready for anything. Don't worry about it. I'm. I have my own things I got going on, so if this isn't right for you, then it's not right for you. I'm happy with the time I spent with you.

Lexi Muccio:

And that was that. I was putting on a little bit of a show. I was so mad, but I didn't. I really liked him, hence why we're together now. I really didn't want to, one, scare him off, and two, I just didn't think that it was a good reflection of myself if I would have gotten so angry with him because I can't control how he felt in that moment. If that's how he felt, that's how he felt. So, yeah, that's pretty much how I reacted to it, and I'm really happy that I did. And that was a really good lesson for me.

Lexi Muccio:

I actually spoke about this with somebody else, and they said, wow, you really handled yourself properly in that situation. So. And now we're together and we're so happy. So.

Kim Gravel:

Well, and can I just say this to you? First of all, it was the perfect response. Second of all, this really can. The way you handled Cameron is the very same way you need to handle the judges in this competition because you cannot control what people think or people want, but you can control how you respond and react to it. And to me, that is your superpower. I'm watching you speak. I've only met you once. I read your email. We've been talking.

Kim Gravel:

I've been doing most of the talking, but anytime you talk, you seem to be a person just from. I mean, hey, it's really great because I don't know you that well, so I can judge you from, like how a judge would judge you. Just meeting you instantaneously. You have your superpower, is your level headedness.

Lexi Muccio:

Wow. Thank you.

Kim Gravel:

So you're not down the steady. Okay. So you might want to think about that when you're presenting yourself. Let that be your superpower. Tell that story. If you get the opportunity, tell. Because that's a story of growth and how. How you.

Kim Gravel:

How you learned from your own life, you know, and you are educated. Clearly, you're reading, you're in the know. But the most important thing is how well do you know yourself? So when you go into this interview, I want to tell you, everybody starts sounding, looking, acting, feeling alike. It becomes this, oh, gosh, she's beautiful. Oh, gosh, she's beautiful. Oh, gosh. Okay, So I tell everybody, you got to stick out. You got to be unique.

Kim Gravel:

And then people will do a tap dance in the middle of their interview, do something crazy and to stick out, which it helps them. I'm not saying it doesn't help, but keep in mind, you win it in the interview. And if you don't win it in the interview, if no one sticks out in the interview, you win it on the stage. But if you stick out in the interview, you will win as long as you don't fall and kill yourself on stage.

Lexi Muccio:

Right?

Kim Gravel:

So you say, kim, how do I stick out? Be you. 1000% be yourself. I tell my kids this. Every kid I share a coach, every. My kids at home, everybody watching. If you will be yourself 10% more than anyone else, you'll be a savage. Because everybody is living, talking, speaking fake. More so today than ever before.

Lexi Muccio:

I could not.

Kim Gravel:

You're saying what she. Okay. All right.

Lexi Muccio:

Oh, I'm so happy we're having this conversation.

Kim Gravel:

I rather lose being completely myself than when being somebody I'm not. Because I can't keep that up for a solid year as I wear the crown. You cannot keep that up with your boyfriend. If y' all decide to get married and live a life, if you're not who you really are, you can't. You can't live fake forever.

Lexi Muccio:

So true.

Kim Gravel:

So you might as well go on and be real right now. And if they don't like it, it's their loss. Right now, I want you to really, really lean in. Do you have a platform?

Lexi Muccio:

Yeah, my platform is not polished. I don't feel. So maybe you could help me with this.

Kim Gravel:

What's the platform? I can give you a hook.

Lexi Muccio:

Supporting Neurodiverse. Well, I'm a teacher, so I guess Students, but just neurodiverse individuals altogether. I'm also specialized in literacy, so maybe something with teaching reading to students who are neurodiverse. I think that would be something perfect for me to kind of.

Kim Gravel:

I think there's a hook there. Talking about. Is there a catchphrase, a code word for neurodiverse? What does that mean? Give that to me in a definition.

Lexi Muccio:

It's kind of an umbrella term for any sort of special need. So, for example, students who have. Or individuals who have autism, adhd, oppositional defiant disorder, learning disabilities, things like that.

Kim Gravel:

Well, you've just named your. Your platform. You know what it is? What's the name of it?

Lexi Muccio:

Neurodiversity.

Kim Gravel:

Under the Umbrella.

Lexi Muccio:

This is why you're you, Kim.

Kim Gravel:

You named it. My platform is under the umbrella with neurodiversity. There's so many aspects that goes into that. Diagnoses. It's adhd, it could be autism. I mean, you know, all that. I don't know. I'm winging it.

Kim Gravel:

But I want a program where everybody comes under that umbrella of literacy, of being able to have a fulfilled education, be able to thrive in what their calling and purpose is. And I want to be able to that soft space, to land that dry space so that they can grow and learn and become everything they were created to be. Thank you.

Lexi Muccio:

I have no words. My brain.

Kim Gravel:

Just under the umbrella. That's what you call it.

Zac Miller:

That's super impressive, Kim. I have to say I'm sorry. I have to jump in, like.

Kim Gravel:

Sorry. Ut. Utu. Under the umbrella. Period.

Lexi Muccio:

Wow.

Kim Gravel:

But you named it. Do you. I'm saying you named it.

Lexi Muccio:

I guess you're right.

Kim Gravel:

It's yours. I didn't make that up. You said it.

Lexi Muccio:

Wow. That is perfect.

Kim Gravel:

Because. Because. Because I'm going to tell you as a person who did not know what neurodiversity meant, that's a way to explain it to people who do not understand it. So when you say my platform of under the umbrella is this, and then you go on to explain it's. It's. It's this safe place to land for everyone who struggles with neurodiversity. If you have autism, if you explain it, if you have adhd, and these are all the kids that I work with on a daily basis, and they need a place to learn and grow, a safe space. Okay, I don't even know what you do.

Kim Gravel:

And I'm saying.

Lexi Muccio:

Right, right. No, everything you're saying is perfect.

Kim Gravel:

Okay, what color? Let's get to the more important things. What Color is your dress.

Lexi Muccio:

It is a deep garnet kind of wine red. I actually, I really am excited to share this. I have a custom made dress by a friend of mine who is a designer, an up and coming designer. She's pretty new to the scene, but I've actually been close friends with her for years, and we just happened to kind of reconnect in the modeling industry, and she offered to sponsor me a dress. So I.

Kim Gravel:

You are. You're. You're. You're a. You're a person. A girl. You're a girl's girl. Of course.

Kim Gravel:

Girl. She's a girl's girl. Okay. Do you have a picture of it? Can you flash it up?

Lexi Muccio:

Oh, honey.

Kim Gravel:

On your phone. Just do it, honey.

Zac Miller:

Yeah.

Kim Gravel:

You know who you look like, right?

Lexi Muccio:

Who?

Kim Gravel:

No, you tell me what everybody who everybody tells you you look like.

Lexi Muccio:

I've been told Anne Hathaway.

Kim Gravel:

Duh.

Zac Miller:

Yeah.

Kim Gravel:

Yes. Ding dong duh. Yes. Girl, you look just like her. You look like Anne Hathaway. It's like, weird. They're gonna say that. If they ask you that, you know you have to say that immediately, right? Yes.

Kim Gravel:

Okay, here's an idea. Here's an idea. While you're pulling up your picture, you could say, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, no, I'm not Anne Hathaway. I am Lexi. You can do something. You could do that. It would go over well.

Lexi Muccio:

I'm definitely going to say that.

Kim Gravel:

It's so funny.

Lexi Muccio:

Everyone always says that to me.

Kim Gravel:

That's what I'm saying. Say it before they say it. It'll set. It'll put people. They'll have fun. People will laugh out loud.

Lexi Muccio:

That's so crazy.

Zac Miller:

Yeah. It looks just like.

Kim Gravel:

I think you're prettier than her, but don't tell her I said that. Show me your dress.

Lexi Muccio:

All right, here she is.

Kim Gravel:

Dang, girl. Hold on. I got to get up close. Hold it right there.

Zac Miller:

Wait, let me. Let me put you up full screen. Hold on.

Kim Gravel:

Put it up full screen. Oh, that is so sexy. But. But glamorous. It looks very Met Gala.

Lexi Muccio:

Yes. So I had told her I wanted something that shows off my figure.

Kim Gravel:

Right?

Lexi Muccio:

And we were thinking about doing a strapless, but then it looked a little too prom y. Sweet 16ish.

Kim Gravel:

It didn't look motley. I could see the strapless not looking like model. That looks very model.

Lexi Muccio:

Yeah. And she said, why don't I do this halter top? And Kim, honestly, I told her no at first to the halter top because one of her other designs had the same halter like that cross, but it was thicker material and I just thought it would kind of swallow me up. So I was really nervous about that and everything. I'm telling you, I told her, I told her, I love the idea, but I just don't know if it'll look right on me. And then I started sleeping on it and I told her, you know what? I trust you. Just go for it. I think it's going to look great and I'm so glad I did as it's perfect and it's a corset. So I'm going to be cinched in.

Lexi Muccio:

It's going to be great.

Kim Gravel:

And it's different and it's very unique. Again, standing out. Standing out.

Lexi Muccio:

Right. A lot of the dresses I'm noticing I'm in some connect groups with some of the other contestants and a lot of the dresses I'm noticing are very form fitting, altogether kind of that mermaid style, like kind of hugging the whole body. And that's originally what I wanted, but I really enjoy that she did this style instead because it shows off the top half of my body, but it's still kind of classier on the bottom. So I'm over the moon about it.

Kim Gravel:

It's gorgeous. Walk Runway. Use. Use the fullness. Oh, don't be afraid to use the fullness.

Lexi Muccio:

I'm glad that you said that because I also have to show you the back really quick. So the back of it has two pieces of. So the crossing stops at my shoulders and comes down and it's two little. Like little. You know what I'm saying?

Kim Gravel:

And you're doing it, aren't you?

Lexi Muccio:

Yes, I am. So this is the back of it.

Kim Gravel:

Yes. Wow. Okay, we're done.

Lexi Muccio:

And around.

Kim Gravel:

I said, okay, you're going to win if you do what I tell you to do in the interview. Really? Really. Concentrate, focus, Be prepared, meaning be prepared to control the interview. Don't be controlled. They're not interviewing you. You're interviewing them.

Lexi Muccio:

Think of it that way.

Kim Gravel:

Answer the question. Tell me why. Give me an example.

Lexi Muccio:

I remember that on Kim of Queens.

Kim Gravel:

No one did it. They never do it. And if they would just do it, it would work. People never do it. I say it and say it and say it and then I'll ask them a question and they never do it. I have to tell you what happens. What.

Lexi Muccio:

I learned so much from just watching your show. That's why I reached out to you because everything you said on the show, I was thinking to myself, I'm using this.

Kim Gravel:

Good. Use everything you Got use. Use it all. But I want to tell you, like, you'd be surprised how many people are not that interesting. So do me a favor. When you go in, when you leave tomorrow and you be interesting, be yourself. And don't be afraid to control your environment. Do it, and I promise you, you will be a winner either way.

Kim Gravel:

You will.

Lexi Muccio:

Thank you so much.

Kim Gravel:

Okay, Lexi, I'm following you on social media right now.

Zac Miller:

What's your social.

Kim Gravel:

I'm following your journey.

Lexi Muccio:

Okay.

Kim Gravel:

It is.

Lexi Muccio:

So I have a different name for modeling. I go by my middle name just.

Kim Gravel:

For where are you gonna be posting? So I can forward and post and tweet and twerk and all that.

Lexi Muccio:

It's called no no.ellemod

Kim Gravel:

1. I am your follow back girl.

Lexi Muccio:

Oh, my God.

Kim Gravel:

Two days. Yes. That's okay. All right.

Zac Miller:

Okay, Lexi, I'm doing it. Before we go, do you have one last question that you want to ask him before your pageant? Before we go.

Lexi Muccio:

What is a necessity that you think I should have with me product wise, whether it's makeup or anything? What is like a tried and true that you always have with you?

Kim Gravel:

You've got to have something to wet your whistle, meaning smiling all the time becomes very fake and inauthentic. So either you need a Vaseline or you need a swig of water every time before you go on stage. And also, you have to not take yourself so seriously. Have fun with it when you walk in. Enjoy every single bit of it. Take it in. Don't be thinking about what's next. Think about what's right now, especially when you go into interview and when you get that stage, Sell it, work it, own it.

Kim Gravel:

This is your one shot. Take it. Don't let it take you. You take it by the. By the. I was gonna say by the throat. That's like football. Don't take it by throw.

Kim Gravel:

Take it in. Take it by the reins. See, you're already there. And absolutely enjoy the ride. And I promise you, if you keep that mentality, it will come through to the judges.

Lexi Muccio:

Point duly noted.

Kim Gravel:

And you've just won. All right, Lexi, keep me posted. I'm gonna be following you. I'll be retweeting, re Instagramming all of the stuff. Y' all go check Lexi out. She's a model. She's the future Miss New York. I'll be watching you all weekend, girl.

Lexi Muccio:

So great to meet you.

Zac Miller:

Thank you for coming on.

Kim Gravel:

Praying.

Lexi Muccio:

Thank you.

Kim Gravel:

Love you, girl.

Zac Miller:

Bye.

Kim Gravel:

Awesome. I think we have just interviewed the next Ms. New York.

Zac Miller:

I think we have. I'm super excited for her. I felt it. Like, it's funny, you know how you get. You know how when you get an email. We get emails from lots of fans, I guess, and a lot of them are not that. A lot of them just don't have as much sort of to them. And when she emailed us that, I was like, I want this girl to be on the show.

Zac Miller:

Like, I want to make this happen for her. I was just immediately on her side. And if I think you can get the judges on your side, then you've won.

Kim Gravel:

You've won. I do thank her for coming on. And it's hard to sit and take some hits from me sometimes about coaching, but she's so sharp, and I think she's gonna do absolutely amazing at the pageant. And if y' all want to be featured on a future episode of the Kim Gravel Show, Gravel Mail episode. I love it. We're bringing it back. Then just send me a message at kimgravelshow.com or better yet, leave us a voicemail. The message let us know what's on your mind, what you want to be on about, and how can Gravel Mail help you? And you can do that at 404-913-6460.

Kim Gravel:

And remember, Zac, you always answer the question, tell me why, and give me an example. Is that hard to do?

Zac Miller:

Honestly, I was thinking about that. For social media posting, that's probably a winning strategy for basically any communication whatsoever. Yeah.

Kim Gravel:

For life.

Zac Miller:

Yep.

Kim Gravel:

Answer the question, tell me why, and give me an example. All right, till next time, y'. All. I love you, y'. All. Lexi, you're gonna kill it, sis.

Zac Miller:

All right. And we will let you know on a future episode. What happened to Lexi? Oh, did she make. Yeah, we'll see. That wraps up our first of the season, Grivelmo. We'll do more of these. Stay tuned, everybody.

Kim Gravel:

Bye, y'. All.

Zac Miller:

Bye.

Kim Gravel:

Zac Miller is the Executive Producer of the Kim Gravel Show. His production company is Uncommon Audio. Our Producer is Kathleen Grant, the Brunette Exec. Production help from Emily Bredin and Sara Noto. Our cover art is designed by Sanaz Huber at Memarian Creative. Our show is edited by Mike Kligerman. Our guest intros are performed by Roxy Reese. Our guest booking is done by Central Talent Booking. Our ads are furnished by True Native Media. And y'all, I want to give a big huge thank you to the entire team at QVC+ and a special thank you to our audience for making this community so strong. If you are still listening then you must have liked a few episodes along the way. So tell somebody about it. Tell somebody about this show and join our mailing list at kimgravelshow.com. I cannot do this show without you and so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening. I hope you gain a little bit of encouragement, light and love love from watching and listening to The Kim Gravel Show. I love you all so much. Till next time. Bye.