Drew McVey chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about competing in the 2024 Mister USA pageant as Mister Massachusetts.
James Dean once said: “Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.” This quote to Drew McVey.
Drew McVey: The Mister USA contender
On being selected to represent Mister Massachusetts in Mister USA, he said, “I am honestly so excited and stoked about all of this. The news was insane… I was super grateful.”
McVey, 23, shared that he comes from a small little town. “I am forever grateful for this opportunity, and I want to make everyone proud,” he said.
Background on Mister USA
Mister USA is an American beauty pageant, which is held annually, and the winner goes on to represent the United States in the Mister Universe competition. It is a celebration of culture, diversity, beauty, intelligence and empowerment. They believe in the power of young leaders to make a difference in the world. It is not solely about outer beauty; it recognizes the inner beauty and intelligence of their contestants.
The pageant will be held on August 11, 2024 in Hollywood. The winner of Mister USA will subsequently represent USA at “Mister Universe” on September 28, 2024 at The Biltmore in Los Angeles.
Daily motivations
On his daily motivations, he said, “A lot of motivators that I find in my day-to-day life is about being better than I was yesterday. When I wake up, I like to start my day by making my bed because it’s a simple task and it sets up my day (by completing a task and moving on to the next one). Getting ready for the day, and taking my day as it comes, is an initial motivator.”
“Aside from that, the mental motivators that are prevalent in my life,” he said. “When I was young, I was bullied, where I’ve experienced my fair share of trauma through relationships and friends that have come to an end. A motivator that is prevalent in my life is what I don’t want to be like and that structures my movement and my mentality to strive what I do what to become.”
“Proving people who doubted me wrong has always been something that I’ve wanted to do. Proving somebody wrong is mostly for me, because it inspires me that I can do something that others may not think I am capable of doing. I just want to be a better person every day,” he acknowledged.
In his social media videos, he is not afraid to be raw and vulnerable, in an effort to help others that are going through similar situations.
Repping Massachusetts
He opened up about representing Massachusetts, which is affectionately known as “The Bay State” and “The Codfish State.”
“It’s super cool,” he admitted. “My family originates there (my mom’s side of the family). I now live in California because I am active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard, which is where I am stationed. I’ve been in for five years.”
“While I am in active duty in the military, I get out this year,” he said.
Plans for the future
On his future plans, he shared, “I am a bodybuilder, so I am in the competitive aspect of things. I am doing a full bodybuilding competition prep for Mister USA. I am really excited about this process because it is 13 weeks away. I am in the Goldilocks stage of getting my mind right for it, and to enhance my confidence.”
“I am excited because I do love the preparation phase. It can be hard sometimes, but I want to be the best that I can be to represent Massachusetts in this Mister USA pageant, and knowing that I gave it my all,” he added.
“From the Instagram reels, all of the guys look phenomenal. I am excited to meet them and to get to know them. I am really excited,” he exclaimed.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he said, “Set Sail.” “It’s the big change,” he noted. “I am getting into a new realm of how to be myself and I am doing something that I actually enjoy.”
Favorite motto to live by
On his favorite motto to live by, McVey said, “It’s not that deep.” “I live by that through and through,” he said. “I avoid a lot of potential conflicts. Things aren’t that deep to me so I don’t see the point of arguing or having any sort of anger, especially when it can be brushed under the rug, and I can move forward.”
“Also, another motto I live by is to work hard and play hard,” he said.
He also underscored that it is important to “choose kindness.”
Best advice that he was ever given
He went on to share the best advice that he was ever given: “Don’t rush it.” “That way, you can have a clear mind and a clear vision,” he said. “I would save myself potential hurt on the back end.”
Best thing about being his age
“The best thing about being my age is just the opportunity,” he noted. “Being young and active naturally, I feel that young people should have so much drive to achieve what they want.”
Superpower of choice
His superpowers of choice would be superspeed (such as “The Flash”) and to fly. “Those superpowers would be awesome,” he admitted.
When asked which track and field events he would do, he responded, “In high school, I was a part of the track and field team, and I did long jump, and I ran the 800 meters.”
In swimming, he listed the “butterfly” as his favorite stroke. “I love the butterfly even though it is very hard,” he admitted.
Success
On his definition of the word success, McVey said, “Success, to me, means growth… in the simplest terms. Any step in the right direction, whether that is personal or professional or athletic growth, then that is success. Being better than the last time you did something.”
Closing thoughts on the 2024 Mister USA
“I am stoked to announce that I have the pleasure to be Mister Massachusetts at this year’s Mister USA 2024,” he said, effusively.
“This is truly a surreal feeling. I am looking forward to every step of this preparation process to show up as my most raw, genuine, and sharp version of myself. Thank you so much for this opportunity,” he acknowledged.
“The sheer opportunity that I’ve been blessed with means the world to me,” he concluded.
To learn more about Drew McVey, follow him on Instagram.
