Staten Islander, a DSNY supervisor, wins Mrs. New York International 2025

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — She may have mastered the art of pageantry, but amidst all the glitz, glamour and sparkly gowns, Nicole Doz-Pillarella knows full well what it means to be a true winner — both on and off the stage.

The 30-year-old ultimate pageant contender, who’s a New York City Department of Sanitation supervisor by day, swept the pageant circuit last weekend when she claimed the title of Mrs. New York International 2025.

She wowed a panel of judges during the stiff competition that unfolded at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Princeton, N.J., where her husband, Michael Pillarella — a member of New York City’s finestx — escorted her onto the stage in his NYPD uniform.

Then later, when she was declared the winner, Michael was thrilled to descend the stage once again, and place the glistening crown on his wife’s head.

“The pageant’s motto is to make a difference and getting to do it at a glamorous state pageant background alongside my husband made it all the more wonderful,” Nicole gushed. “It was really an amazing competition.”

Michael, 31, and her greatest pageant supporter, has been deeply involved in Nicole’s training and exercise regimen — and he couldn’t be more proud of his role.

Nicole’s diligence and perseverance

But then again, the 30-year-old city leader who calls Westerleigh home, is no stranger to the world of pageants.

She did Staten Island proud when she nabbed the titles of Miss Staten Island 2018, Miss Big Apple 2019 — and Miss New York for America Strong 2021 — with poise, grace and style.

After being crowned Miss Staten Island, she went on to compete on the state level for the title Miss New York within the Miss America program. And though she didn’t advance, she continued to test her mettle in what’s referred to as “open pageants.”

Then, in October 2022 after Nicole and Michael said their “I’do’s,” she tried her hand at the Mrs. International Pageants, which are comprised of married women ages 21 to 56.

Nicole recounted she became familiar with the Mrs. Pageant program after she connected with Mary Moulds, the current director of the Northeast International Pageant.

She entered as a Mrs. last year for the very first time draped in a dramatic floor length, off the shoulder silver sequin and beaded evening gown and placed as first runner-up — meaning if the state titleholder won the national title, she would take on the role of state titleholder.

“So this year we wanted to come back to win the whole thing,” she noted in an Advance interview.

And since her favorite silver gown brought her such good luck last year, Nicole chose to sashay onto the stage in the same glittery number.

To add to the excitement, Nicole was also named Miss Photogenic 2025 and walked away with the Overall Interview Award for scoring highest in that phase of competition.

“During my interview I got to talk about a male-dominated role and a not-for-profit that I work with called ‘Natural Resources Protective Association, a Staten Island-based group,” she said, referencing a group she was involved with even before her position with the city Department of Sanitation. “The organization’s mission is to make all marine activities safe and environmentally secure for all generations.”

Nicole is also centered around her pageant platform called “Grits and Glam” that zeroes in on environmentalism.

She went on to explain that this particular pageant was composed of 20 contestants, from all over the states of New York and New Jersey.

“There’s a lot of physical and mental prep, as far as the competition goes,” she continued. “There’s the evening gown competition, fitness competition and on-stage interview, in addition to a private interview before a panel of judges that’s worth 50 % of your final score.”

A serious contender, Nicole made it a practice to work out in the couple’s home gym, and runs two miles a day four to five times a week as she prepped and polished for the big day.

“My husband loves the pageant so much,” she added. “He helps me with the prep. And has such a good time. He’s actually a part of the competition. And he got to put the crown on my head when I won.”

Now, the awesome twosome will travel to Kinsport, Tennessee for the Mrs. International Pageant finals in July, where Nicole will compete against some 60 women from across the country and throughout the world.

Nicole’s job description

And in speaking about her supervisory role in the department, she noted that it employs some 10,000 workers, but only 10% are women and that being in an industry composed mainly of males is a challenge — but that’s a good thing.

Nicole’s job description includes directing operations of her district and supervising street cleaning, waste collection, and snow removal operations — and the operation of an entire garage.

About Nicole

Nicole is an alumna of Brooklyn College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English.

She was somewhat familiar with the ins and outs of the City Department of Sanitation, since her dad, John Doz, had been a Sanitation worker for more than 20 years — but has recently retired she told us.

And her uncle, Jayson Doz, has been with the force for some 15 years. “And we all live on Staten Island,” she stated.

“I certainly enjoy my job,” she exclaimed and went on to speak about the tons of congratulatory greetings she received from staffers and friends as soon as she got back to work at her garage in Brooklyn.

“And even on Staten Island, she added. ”The outpouring of love has been amazing.

She reported that her mom, Carrie Gonzalez, in addition to her dad, are also thrilled to be a part of the whole incredible moment.

When queried about keeping in touch with her fellow beauty queens in a special sisterhood in which they share, she stated that she certainly still does — especially on social media.

“Ever since I was a kid, I watched the Miss America Pageant on TV,” she recounts, “And I just loved the glamour attached to it. So when I got older I investigated and found out about the Miss Staten Island Pageant.”

She competed about five times in local pageants coming under the Miss America umbrella — before she branched out to International Pageants.

And from here, there’s no telling just where Nicole will land in the vast pageant road that lies ahead.