KAITLYN CHRISTOPHER
MISS INDIANA USA 2005 & CRITICAL BEAUTY AWARD RECIPIENT
You love animals. Do you consider yourself an animal rights activist?
To a certain extent, yes. I would say that I am an activist
when it comes to encouraging people to spay or neuter their pets. I publicly speak out about
the importance of this whenever I can! There are too many animals that are needlessly euthanized
every day in our country. This killing could be prevented so easily if pet-owners would just
be responsible enough to ensure that their own pets were sterilized. Only responsible breeders
should be bringing more pets into this world. The number of pets that are unwanted, abused,
and / or abandoned is truly staggering!
As for other animals’ rights, I consider myself more of an “example-setter” than an activist.
I will not wear furs, not even fur trim. I don’t believe it is morally right to kill animals
simply to adorn ourselves with their skins. However, I would not throw a bucket or paint on
someone’s fur coat just to prove a point!
What do you think is the greatest crime committed by people against animals and how do you
propose to stop this?
In my opinion, the greatest (most frequent) crime committed
by people against animals is abandonment. People let their pets reproduce, and then they often
abandon the offspring at a local Humane Society or worse yet, on a city street or out in the
country to fend for themselves. They simply “dump” the animals they do not want.
My family rescued a newborn puppy that was left with his siblings in a rabbit cage with no top
on it. These puppies were left for several days without their mother, who was tied to a porch
and could not reach them, while the owner went on vacation. There was a bad thunderstorm, and
all of the puppies were exposed to the elements. Neighbors called Pals for Paws, but by the
time they arrived, two babies had already died and the other two were in horrible condition.
Fortunately, veterinarians were able to save the two remaining puppies, and we adopted one
of them. He is a wonderful dog, but he sure had a rough start in life. The whole tragedy was
so unnecessary.
Another day, in the middle of winter, a man dropped off a box of half-frozen puppies he had found
in the middle of the road. Rather than take them to a shelter or to a rescue organization, someone
had decided that if they just put a box in the middle of the road, drivers would have to swerve
around it, hit it, or stop to move it. Luckily, someone stopped to move it, found the puppies
inside, and brought them to Pals for Paws.
These are just some of my personal experiences with animal abandonment, but there are many more
horror stories. I don’t know that we can ever stop animal abandonment completely, but there
are certainly things we can do to curtail it. The first thing is education. We need to educate
the public on the benefits of spaying and neutering, and we also need to offer more low-cost
options for sterilizing one’s pets at an affordable price. The second thing we can do is
encourage our legislators to pass strict spay and neuter laws. Some states already have
these laws in place. Other states, like Indiana, still need to adopt them.
If you were a pet, which famous celebrity would you love to adopt you and why?
If I were a pet, I would love to be adopted by the NASCAR
driver, Kyle Petty, and his family.
I had the pleasure of meeting Kyle, his lovely wife, and his dad, Richard, at the Jeff Gordon
Bowl-a-thon for Riley Hospital recently. They brought one of their dogs to the event with them,
a precious little teacup Pomeranian. My mom sat and talked to Pattie Petty while Kyle, Richard,
and I bowled. The Petty family has 49 animals, many of which are dogs. They live on a ranch
where they have many caretakers who can look after the pets while they travel. They are truly
a family of animal lovers. Their pets get a lot of attention, care, and love!
You wish to be a successful model someday. Any plans of auditioning for “America’s Next Top Model?”
Actually when I was 17 yrs old the auditions were in
Indianapolis and I went to try out even though I was under-age. I never got a call back
to be on the show, but I did find a quote from my audition in a local article, so that
made me feel pretty good. As far as auditioning again, it may be a possibility, but not
anytime soon. I am keeping too busy with an upcoming movie and school.
Are you fashion-conscious? If you were to go away on a trip for one week and you could only bring
along three articles of clothing, what would they be?
I am very fashion conscious! My walk-in closet is
stuffed with clothes of the newest styles and trends, but when I travel I tend to be
pretty practical. I would probably bring a pair of jeans, heals, and a cute beater.
Describe your beauty regimen. How do you take care of your skin?
How do you keep yourself fit and in top shape?
God has blessed me with clear skin and a high metabolism!
Lucky, huh? Even though I don’t necessarily need to work out a lot, it is one of my favorite
pastimes. I love yoga and Pilates.
Tell us a little about the film that you’re starring in. What would the audience expect from it?
Will there be lots of sex, drugs and rock and roll in it? (Laughter)
The film is entitled “A Day in the Life of Joe Redwood,”
and it is produced by “The Really Really Big Show” based out of Indianapolis. The story
is about high school kids and what funny things happen to them, especially Joe Redwood, in just one
day! I play the head cheerleader, Kyra Jackson, and honestly I think the audience will be very
surprised by my character because she is nothing like me! I definitely have a challenge on my
hands, but I am looking forward to it. The viewers will see a little bit of everything: lots
of humor, sex, backstabbing, and some good ‘ole football! We will begin filming in November
and hope to have the finished product by May.
Let’s play the word association game. I will mention names or ideas and just reply with
a few words that come to your mind! When I saw “a few words,” I mean less than ten words!
(Laughter)
Hurricane Katrina : makes me cry every time I see the affects on the news.
Your significant other (if you have one) : none
People who wear and promote fur coats: should let the animals LIVE! Fake fur is just as nice.
Martha Stewart : will make more money now than she ever used to
Old rich men who go out with beautiful women old enough to be their daughters :
there must be something in it for both of them. (Laughter)
George W. Bush : has the most difficult job in the U.S. I completely respect and support him and his decisions
The war in Iraq : is being fought for a just cause.
Chelsea Cooley : is one lucky woman!
Natalie Glebova : has an amazing body
The real Kaitlyn Christopher : was wrongfully overlooked by the preliminary judges! (Laughter)
OCTOBER 2005
PHOTO CREDITS: Sam Tang, The Miss Universe Organization
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