Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

The bold and the beautiful, Mr. Emerson

Last semester’s winner of the Mr. Emerson contest, Jeff Rizzi, has apparently taken to pageant life. The broadcast journalism major went on to entertain audience members at the Miss Boston 2011 pageant last month.

Held on February 20 at the Omni Parker House, the pageant featured 15 Boston beauties — and our own Mr. Emerson.

Rizzi said he performed a part of his act from the Mr. Emerson competition. It included  wearing  a ketchup bottle costume and lip-synching to Dreamgirls’ “And I’m Telling You.”

In the middle of the song he ripped off the costume, revealing a pink and white silk kimono, he said. Next, he pulled out a retractable sword, waved it at the audience members and the judges, and stripped off his kimono to show off his Mr. Emerson sash.

Rizzi said he was mostly “arm candy” for the contestants. He escorted them on and off the stage and presented them with prizes.

“At the end, the judges asked me a couple of questions, too,” said Rizzi in an interview. “It was mostly basic stuff like what’s my major and what I want to do with my education. But I also said I wanted to be a contestant on Survivor someday,” he said.

According to Rizzi, participating in the pageant has been a growing experience. “I just can’t believe how much love and support I’ve received throughout the entire thing,” he said. “It’s made me realize what I’m capable of and how important it is to keep trying to surprise myself.”

Rizzi said he didn’t originally see himself performing in the Mr. Emerson pageant, let alone at Miss Boston.

He said he had previously viewed the beauty pageant as a typically female endeavor and was pleasantly surprised by the opportunity to competed for Mr. Emerson.

Rizzi’s friends however, said they weren’t at all shocked by his participation in the pageant.

“Are you kidding?” said sophomore Liz Ronzio, a marketing communication major. “He’s a total show-boat!”

Rita Maureen Thompson, an acting junior, agrees. “Jeff has such an energetic disposition; he might as well have his forehead stamped with ‘hug me’ he’s so outgoing,” she said.

When not dressed as a ketchup bottle, Rizzi keeps busy with a variety of on-campus activities like hosting his radio show, “Like a Boss,” every Sunday. The show’s mission is to discuss all issues pertaining to leading a “boss” lifestyle.

“We play music and talk a lot,” Rizzi said.

Rizzi is also involved with Kidding Around Theatre for Young Audiences. He’s getting ready to portray Muff Potter in the spring production of Tom Sawyer.

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