Celebrity Status
Methuen’s Susie Castillo has seen her career in the entertainment world, as well as her golf game, thrive since being crowned Miss USA 2003
By Gary Trask
Susie Castillo took an unusual route to finding a way to play more golf. She went out and became Miss USA.
That’s right, Castillo, a Methuen native, went from her job as a receptionist at Ipswich Country Club in 2001 to being crowned Miss USA 2003. And along the way her golf game became a major benefactor.
“It certainly didn’t hurt, that’s for sure,” Castillo says with laugh. “It seemed like at least once or twice a month I’d get invited to appear at a charity tournament and, believe me, I tried to attend as many of them as possible.”
Of course, being crowned Miss USA came with some other benefits than simply playing golf. Castillo, who became just the third Hispanic Miss USA and the second Miss USA from Massachusetts, crisscrossed the world as part of her duties the year after winning the pageant.
It was always a dream of hers to work in the entertainment profession and the opportunities came calling after winning the title. She got a cameo role in the soap opera, Passions, and appeared on television shows such as The Tonight Show, Fear Factor and Live! With Regis and Kelly. She was also named by People en Espanol magazine as one of the “25 Most Beautiful People.” Currently, Castillo, 26, lives in New York and is the host of MTV’s wildly popular show Total Request Live (TRL).
So how does a girl who grew up in a one-parent family in a low-income neighborhood in Methuen go on to take the entertainment world by storm?
That seemed like as good a query as any to begin our session of 18 Questions with the local beauty queen, who is admittedly a “high handicapper” on the golf course.
1. What was the journey from Methuen to the Miss USA throne like for you?
It was an amazing experience. People always ask me how I came from the background that I did and made it so far and I truly believe that my upbringing has made me what I am today. My mother (Carmen) always supported me and my sisters (Marisele, 28, Yaralia, 20), no matter what we wanted to do. I grew up thinking that there were no limits in what I could do and that’s a main reason why I think I was able to succeed.
2. You seem to be very proud of your heritage and background. Am I right?
Oh, absolutely. When I went to the Miss USA pageant I knew that every girl there was going to be beautiful and have a lot going for them. I had to find something that made me unique and I figured the best thing I had going for me was my heritage. My mother is from Puerto Rico and my father was from the Dominican Republic. It all worked out because the pageant that year was in San Antonio, which has a big Latin population.
3. Were you able to use that to your advantage once the pageant got underway?
Yes. It’s ironic how it all seemed to come together for me. I was the only girl in the pageant who could speak Spanish fluently. When we got there the choreographer told us that we would be salsa dancing during the evening gown competition. I couldn’t believe it. I grew up salsa dancing and doing the merengue. It was like the whole production was set up for me to win. So I had a strong feeling from the very beginning that I was going to win.
4. What was it like spending a year as Miss USA?
It was a fun year. I was able to do so many amazing things. I traveled all over the world from Germany to London to Korea, Canada and Panama. It was a time that was a lot of fun, but it was hectic. And the downside of it was that I was on the road most of the time by myself so I really wasn’t able to share any of my good fortune with my loved ones.
5. After graduating from Endicott College with a degree in Interior Architecture and Design, what made you decide to go for the Miss USA title?
I’ve always wanted to be in the entertainment business, but I knew that if I went to LA with no experience and no connections I would be just another pretty face, trying to break in, working as a cocktail waitress.
After I graduated from college (in 2001) I wanted to use my degree and get a “real job.” But first I figured I’d take some time off, keep my job at Ipswich Country Club and then start job hunting in the fall. But after Sept. 11, there were no jobs. Nobody was hiring. That’s when I decided to give the entertainment business one final shot. I had already won Miss Teen USA (in 1998) and I thought the quickest way to gain exposure was to go the beauty pageant route so that’s what I did.
6. What was the process like?
I went down to Bridgewater State College for the Miss Massachusetts pageant and won that. After that it was on to the Miss USA and then, before you know it, I was representing my country at the Miss Universe. I didn’t win it, but I finished 15th.
7. Tell us more about your job at Ipswich Country Club. Is that how you got into golf?
Yes. I’ve always loved sports. I played volleyball and ran track in high school. I got the job as a receptionist at Ipswich Country Club during college. It is such a beautiful place. I’m not really a true outdoors person, but just seeing how nice the course looked every day, I just had to try golf.
8. Once you became Miss USA, it must have been pretty easy to get tee times at whatever course you wanted?
(Laughs). No, I’m not like that. My friends always tell me that I should do that kind of thing. You know, call a restaurant, tell them who I am and demand a reservation. But I don’t think that’s fair. So, no, I don’t go around calling golf courses asking for tee times.
9. Do you play golf in this area when you are home?
Oh yeah. All the time. My fiancé is from Ipswich and his dad is real hard-core, you know, a real golf nut. He’s the kind of guy that will play in the cold and rain. We always enjoy getting out and playing with him.
10. Where do you play when you’re back home?
We’ve always been big fans of Cape Ann. It’s such a beautiful course. We also go to Rowley or New Meadows sometimes.
11. Does your fiancé golf?
Yes. He loves the game. He’s a lot better than me so he’s always helping me out with things. Most of the time when I play, it’s with him.
12. Do you take him with you to some of the charity tournaments that you get invited to?
Sometimes. The funny thing is, half the time I get invited to the tournaments and I tell them that I can come and I want to play, the organizers are surprised. They always tell me that they’ve never had a Miss USA that actually came and played golf. So I always have to remind them to put me on that tee time sheet!
13. What’s the best part of your golf game?
I would probably say putting. I have a pretty good eye and I’ve learned how to read the greens pretty good. But some days I have a lot of problems just getting to the green.
14. What do you like most about the game?
I just love the challenge. I’m a competitive person by nature so I’m always trying to get better. But it’s just such a frustrating game because some days you play well and you think it’s going to carry over, but then the next time you play it’s like you can’t do anything right. But, like I said, that’s why I like it so much, because of the challenge.
15. With your busy schedule, how often do you get back home to this area?
It depends on the time of year, but I usually get back once a month or so. When things get slow I always try to come home and hang out with my friends and, of course, get some of my mom’s home cooking.
16. What else do you miss about living in this area?
I love going to Cranes Beach. And I miss some of the local restaurants. I try to go to the Clam Box in Ipswich every time I come home. I crave the Clam Box all the time. You can’t find seafood like that anywhere. Believe me, I’ve looked all over New York City and there’s nothing that compares. I also like to go into Boston and go up and down Newbury Street. And another spot I like to hit is the Beverly Depot (Restaurant). That’s another one of my favorites.
17. What’s it like working for MTV?
It’s a dream come true. It’s not something that I want to do forever because it’s not quite as challenging as acting, but it’s so much fun. It’s kind of surreal because I grew up watching MTV. I remember watching “Downtown” Julie Brown. Now, I’m the new “Downtown” Julie Brown. (Laughs). It’s kind of odd.
18. So ultimately is acting what you want to do?
It’s what I’ve always wanted. Like I said, I knew it would be tough to break in without connections. Now that I’m building those contacts, I think I’m ready to realize my ultimate dream.
