BEN YOSEF: Congrats on earning your Open Pro Card in Illinois! What is it about IPL Evening that attracts you to it?

NIKKI LEARY: Thank you! I love dressing up and showing that I can be both sexy and Athletic.

BEN: What was your strategy when it came to choosing your gown?

NIKKI: First and foremost, I chose a dress that I loved and was comfortable with! But I made sure it accentuated my back and legs since those are two areas I wanted the judges to see.

BEN: Well, it certainly worked! You looked amazing and those legs definitely popped! You competed in several divisions at this show. Including Bikini, Women’s Athletic and Evening Gown. And placed 1st in each! Did you do anything special with regards to your physique in preparation for the Evening Gown division? Also, of the three, which is your favorite division?

NIKKI: I spent a lot of time practicing my posing for Evening Gown. I had so much fun dressing up for Evening Gown! But my favorite divisions were Bikini and Athletic!

BEN: Interesting! What tips can you offer Evening Gown Competitors with regards to choosing the right gown for their physiques? And what about with regards to budget? Did you approach your evening gown with a budget in mind? Also, you had just come off of two wins in your classes earlier in the show. So I imagine your confidence and momentum must have felt amazing? How were you feeling as you approached your first Evening Gown class, Evening Gown Novice?

NIKKI: I was fortunate to find a heavily discounted dress and then I had it altered to fit my body for the stage. I was still able to find something beautiful on a budget. So I recommend others focus on the dress that best flatters their figure. I had really high competition in both of my Evening Gown classes so I was really nervous, but also excited to get on stage! My biggest focus was to show my confidence on stage so I tried to tune everyone else out!

BEN: In the end you would take yet another 1st place win, this time earning your Pro Card in Evening Gown Open. What was it like for you to take such a big win to end your show day?

NIKKI: It was the most amazing feeling to earn my Pro Card! Being on stage is only a few moments, but it reveals all the other “moments” of sweat and tears and workouts and sacrifices that you made to get to that stage in the first place. So, earning my Pro Card was a proud moment for me!

BEN: Love it! When will we see you back on the IPL stage? And when will you make your Pro Debut?

NIKKI: I’ll be competing at the Illinois State Championship in April 2022! I’m hoping to have another Pro Card before I make my Pro Debut, which will probably be later in the year!

BEN: Awesome! Well, I look forward to seeing you bring it in April! Any final thoughts?

NIKKI: Thanks, Ben! I’ll see you in April! NMI