Pageant Tips
Which Pageant is Right for Me?
There are lots of pageants out there; how do you know which one is right for you?? I would have to say first and foremost, it depends on what your focus is and how far you want to go.
If you think you'd do really well in a pageant that focuses on beauty, then you should check out the Teen USA and Miss USA programs. They don't place most emphasis on academics and achievements. Your score in these systems is more heavily weighted by your poise and appearance and evening gown and swimsuit. (Think Carrie Prejean and that Miss South Carolina -- you remember "The Iraq, and such as....")
If you prefer to enter something that emphasizes achievements and academics, then check out scholarship pageants like America's Most Outstanding Teen and Miss America. While you are still judged on poise and appearance in evening gown and maybe swimsuit or fitness, these tend to be less weighted in your overall scoring.
The Internet is Literally an "All Eyes On Me" Venue!
Do you have a Myspace, Facebook, or Twitter page? Make sure they're set to private if you don't want the whole world to have access to your private thoughts and photos. Nowadays, even potential employers are looking people up! Are there videos of you on youtube?? Know what's out there...if there is anything questionable, that is definitely a BAD thing. Be careful what photos and videos you participate in...once they're on the internet, they're there forever and available to everyone worldwide!
Completing Your Application
Your application is the FIRST real impression the judges get of you. With some pageants, particularly those that tend to have A LOT of girls enter, the application takes the place of an interview.
In most pageants, however, the application is what the judges refer to during your interview. I would suggest you retype the application on a computer (duplicate it EXACTLY), and type your responses. I've always found that there's NEVER enough room to handwrite or type with a typewriter!
It goes without saying, but when you answer question, think of the "unusual" things you do or have done and be sure to list those! Remember, the judges may be reading hundreds of applications, and you have to make sure that there's something memorable about yours. Do you have a really unusual hobby or talent? Talk about it! Oftentimes, this is what the judges will focus on and ask you about in your interviews.
READ THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY. If you are only allowed to list things in the past 2 or 3 years, then don't add older items. And definitely DON'T lie! Make sure you follow the directions exactly. In this day and age of technology, judges and pageant workers can Google your name and do a quick "fact check" about things you may have written.
List things in chronological order, newest to oldest, and list your most interesting or unusual or important facts first.
And it goes without saying that you should always make a copy of paperwork you turn in. Familiarize yourself with everything you wrote on your application; this is what the judges will pull from when they interview you, and you don't want to forget about something you wrote!
Interview
The application is where most, if not all, if your interview questions will come from. That's why it's really important that you make a copy of your application and study it carefully. Know what you put on it, and be able to speak to anything that is on it.
You should smile warmly, don't over-gesticulate with your hands. Be honest and sincere in your answers. It's fine to speak to your opinion on a subject; the judges should NOT be judging you on your opinion, but rather in your ability to answer the question.
Practice makes perfect, so if you're nervous at all, have a teacher, parent, sibling, or friend practice with you.
WATCH YOUR POSTURE! Sit up straight in the chair! Keep your knees together. Crossing your ankles is fine, but make sure you keep your knees together.
Interview Suit
You don't have to spend a lot of money on your interview suit! I won "Best Interview" in a stage pageant, and I had on a $6 gray jacket and skirt I bought at the local thrift store. I wore a bright blue camisole tank top underneath - and it was something I already owned. Just make sure that your suit fits you well and doesn't overpower you. You don't want it to be a distraction from what you have to say.
Make sure you pick a color that looks good on you, that the skirt is a length that looks good on you and isn't too short ("just" above the knee is acceptable; anything shorter is a no-no). Easter is a great time to look for suits! Stay away from patterns, although subtle pinstripes are OK. a solid, flattering colored suit that fits you perfectly is what you are looking for.
Wear simple earrings - studs, pearls, short dangling earrings...don't let your jewelry distract. I would recommend against necklaces, bracelets, and rings, unless it is something you mentioned in your application ("my most prized possession is my Grandmother's ring...")
ALWAYS wear pantyhose - something natural. And wear taupe or tan shoes. You don't want your feet to be the focus, either.
A brooch or interesting pin is also acceptable. Many pageant participants wear crown pins on their lapels.
Your hair should be simple, and your makeup should be at a minimum. You don't want to look like a painted lady, and you don't want to look like you're auditioning for your local news anchor position. You should look like the photo you submitted, and you should look natural and like a real person. You want the judges to be able to recognize you in all other aspects of the competition; keep your look consistent!
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Evening Gown
Again, there's no need to spend a whole lot of money, here. Most important is that you pick a dress that looks good on you - that's a complementary style and color for you, and that it fits you perfectly. I can't tell you how many girls I've seen with dresses that are too short, or they look like they borrowed one of their Mom's old bridesmaid dresses...which is perfectly fine, except they didn't get it tailored to fit and they were swimming in it!
Whatever pageant you enter, look at the gallery of photos available for the couple years prior. What style of dress is most popular? I could guess that it's probably strapless since that's pretty much what everybody wears. You may want to try a different style so that you stand out from the rest of the crowd.
My number one suggestion is that you select a dress that you feel really great in; believe me, it shows on stage! If you love it and it looks good, then wear it! Just make sure you follow the rules - if you're not allowed to have slits or cut outs, then don't. Pick a material that looks great on stage, and make sure you're extra conscious of your posture when you walk across the stage. You want to look poised and confident, not clunky and awkward. Practice walking in your dress in the exact shoes you will be wearing, as well. You don't want anything to be a surprise!
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Introduction or Speech
So, this is all my personal opinion, but I have spoken at local, state, and national events, and have won a couple speech contests.
For me, I really h-a-t-e when girls give a really cheesy intro or speech. While it's fine to have something clever to say, my preference is not to turn it into some sort of theatre arts piece.
My suggestion would be to memorize whatever it is you're going to say; practice it well and make sure you know it frontwards and backwards.
When you speak, look at the judges, scan the audience, smile, and vary your tone. Sound excited about being there and interested in what you're saying. Pace yourself, but don't put unnecessary pauses in.
Speak clearly and effectively, and try not to overdo your hand gestures. Do a search on YouTube and look up some winning speeches to get an idea of how to deliver your intro or speech.
Talent
If you happen to enter a pageant that requires talent - and you're not sure what to do - don't panic! Yes, it's true - you may be performing with girls who have studied dance since they were 3, or played a musical instrument since they were 5, or who are American-Idol caliber singer...but you can still hold your own if you plan correctly.
If you can dance, you might want to consider learning a performance piece just for the pageant. I would suggest perhaps learning a dance that's NOT ballet, tap, modern, or jazz-oriented as these are typically the most popular, anyway.If you can carry a tune, consider singing a catchy, but simple song that showcases your voice. Don't try to sing a Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey song if you don't have the chops.
If you can't sing or dance, consider doing a monologue - something funny or heart-wrenching that draws the audience in. I have also seen contestants do cheerleading routines, recite poetry, play a didgeridoo, do magic, and give a speech in a foreign language.
Your costume should be interesting and high-quality, relate to your performance piece if appropriate but not distract from you. And definitely be age appropriate.
Don't despair...oftentimes, it's NOT the person with the best talent who wins, but rather the contestant who turns in the best performance.
Above all, you want to make sure your performance connects with the audience and really gets them into it. Make eye contact, smile, and have a good time!
Attitude is Everything!
Put yourself in the right mindset at a pageant competition. While there may be many participants, you need to focus on doing the best that you can do. Be nice to everyone - it's not a foot race with whoever wins coming in fastest...each girl is judged on her individual merits and performance, so how well you do really falls on your own your own shoulders!
If you don't make the top 15 or 10, or whatever it is, don't fret. Analyze your performance and see if you can gauge where you should focus on improving. Learn from every pageant and use your knowledge to improve.
