A day in the life of Miss Louisiana USA 2015 Candice Bennatt, 26, is all the glitz and glamour you might expect it to be. From hair and makeup lessons with professional coaches to modeling for couture designers such as Stephen Yearick in New York, Bennatt juggles tasks as a titleholder. But, as the saying goes, there is more to this pageant queen than meets the eye.
Bennatt wears many hats in addition to her crown. She is a former NFL cheerleader, full-time law student and advocate against domestic violence. While she juggles her responsibilities and ambitions as Miss Louisiana USA with strides in academics and advocacy, Bennatt has a certain respect for time management.
“There’s 86,400 seconds of every single day,” Bennatt said. “If you utilize that time wisely, then you can get a whole lot done.”
As an ambassador for the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Bennatt does get a whole lot done. Through the organization, she shares her personal story of her own violent relationship with other victims of violence, according to a news release. This is a story also shared with attorneys who advocate and write legislation for domestic violence, Bennatt said.
During the recent Louisiana legislative session, Bennatt spoke at a Senate committee meeting at the Capitol and advocated for HB488 and SB174. Although HB488 didn’t make it through to the governor, SB174, a housing bill concerning domestic violence victims, did.
With a bachelor’s degree in biology and minor in communication studies from Sam Houston State University in her pocket, Bennatt is continuing her studies at the Loyola College of Law in New Orleans. She is a full-time law student working toward a career in patent and trademark law practice or as a legal analyst on a major TV network.
In light of her recent accomplishments, Bennatt had been another member of the audience at the 2014 Miss USA competition before claiming her spot in the 2015 Miss USA pageant.
As she watched Miss Louisiana USA 2014 Brittany Guidry on stage, Bennatt recalled thinking to herself, “Gosh, they look like they’re having so much fun.” Although she already held the title of Miss New Mexico 2012, she had never competed with the Miss Universe organization before. Bennatt said she saw competing as not only an opportunity to re-enter the pageant world but to become involved with her community.
“I really wanted to be involved with the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and I feel like a really great way to be an advocate for an organization like that is by being a titleholder,” Bennatt said.
Starting last June, Bennatt worked on her fitness, walk, makeup and hair. By October, she’d won the title of Miss Louisiana USA 2015. Now, she lives by a planner full of scheduled events with 51 other contestants around the country.
The women have been participating in various activities in Baton Rouge throughout the week, from bagging groceries in Winn-Dixie to attending a water park extravaganza at Liberty Lagoon — and Bennatt’s favorite, parties packed with good food, live music, dancing and smiles. Throughout the experience, Bennatt said she has formed bonds with many of the other contestants.
“I’m really good friends with Miss Alabama USA, Miss South Carolina USA and Miss Idaho USA,” Bennatt said. “It’s really nice to have people to support you who are in the same shoes.”
Bennatt is particularly close to Miss New Mexico USA. They share a lot in common, according to Bennatt, both having been raised by single mothers and having the ability to empower one another.
While Bennatt gains support from her peers, she also has an entire state behind her. She said fans are constantly stopping her in the hotel to take a picture with Miss Louisiana USA. She compares the experience to that of being a New Orleans Saints or LSU football player, with all of Louisiana supporting them. And with all of that support, it’s no wonder she feels calm going into the final rounds of the competition.
“I’m actually really, really relaxed,” Bennatt said. “I mean, obviously, I’m at home, but I couldn’t feel more at home.”

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Zoe Geauthreaux

Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez enters the stage to co-host the 2015 Miss USA Preliminary Competition on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 in the Baton Rouge River Center.