When Milwaukee’s Yomarie Tejada won Crest toothpaste’s "Smile Bright in the Spotlight" contest, she was thrilled. As the winner, she was invited to the People's Choice Awards to present trophies as the official Miss People's Choice. Then, the Hollywood writers’ strike caused the show to reformat, and for a while Tejada was uncertain what he role would be, if any.

So, what happened?

“The show was reformatted to a new magazine-style format, with Queen Latifah as the host,” says Tejada. “I handed celebrities their awards right before they taped a short acceptance speech thanking America for voting to give them a People's Choice Award. This new format was actually really exciting because I was one of the only people in America who knew the behind-the-scenes secrets of who won People's Choice Awards before the show aired on Jan. 8.”

To make up for not getting to walk the red carpet, Tejada’s stay at a luxury Hollywood hotel was extended from three nights to six nights.

“In addition to getting close to celebrities who are taping People's Choice Awards speeches, I had seven days of shopping, relaxing, gaining VIP access to hot Hollywood clubs and parties and dining in trendy Hollywood restaurants with my friends and family,” she says. “I also got a head-to-toe celebrity makeover each time I taped a behind-the-scenes segment with a celebrity.

“This was truly the opportunity of a lifetime. I did get a taste of what it's like to be a celebrity.  After this, I have gained so much respect for actors, models, people in the entertainment industry in general because their lives are not all glitz and glamour.  There are a lot of hours and hard work that are put in what they do.”

After all the hype, Tejada is back in Milwaukee, but still excited from the experience.

“In addition to all of the cool things that I got to do in Hollywood, Crest and Scope sent me tons of products so I won't need to buy toothpaste and mouthwash for a really long time,” says Tejada.