Nakapanayam ni Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach para sa The Buzz ang isa sa naging judge sa Miss Universe 2011 na si Lea Salonga, ang ating sariling international theater sensation.

Ipinalabas ang naturang taped interview noong Linggo, October 2.

Marami ang nagtatanong kung paano napiling judge si Lea sa Miss Universe, na ginanap sa Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ito na rin ang unang itinanong ni Charlene.        

"One of the casting directors of the Miss Universe [pageant] sent a note to my manager in the States," banggit ni Lea.

Ayon pa sa Broadway at West End award-winning actress, hindi siya nag-prepara at hindi rin niya pinag-aralan muna ang mga kandidata sa Miss Universe.

"The only time I saw any of the pictures," kuwento ni Lea, "parang, even playing field kumbaga, they had a souvenir program in my hotel room. 

"When I got in, I picked it up, and I went through all.

"That was the only time I looked at everybody."

So, wala siyang naging interaction kahit konti sa mga kandidato bago ng gabi ng pageant?

"No. We were sequestered. We were completely kept away.

"We were in a separate hotel from the candidates. They were at the Hilton, we were at the Hyatt. 

"All the communication with any of the candidates, barred.

"It was very strict, and even before we could enter the venue, tinitingnan muna nila kung may bumababang kandidato sa hagdanan.

"Like in dress rehearsal, 'Wait, the candidate is going down.' So, once they passed, then we could get in. 

"We can't look at everybody."