When preparing for interview, most contestants just review common questions...BUT the contestants who take it a step further and truly understand the pageant organization will always be one step ahead.
Here are "5 Things You Must Know About Your Pageant BEFORE Competing":
- Basic facts:
- For example, the full name of the pageant, the motto/slogan of the pageant, the main competition categories, how you fit in this pageant, who the director is, what the prize package AND responsibilities are for winning
- What they want: your main goal is to convince the judges that you are the best candidate for the job of "titleholder" so you have to understand what they want in a titleholder first to be able to adequately tell them why you are perfect for the job
- Some pageants send a handbook/notebook/website section detailing particular qualities they are looking for - note those and KNOW how you fit them (and be able to communicate that)
- Research and understand what former titleholders have done and be explain how you can expand on it
- The culture: what drives this pageant
- Research the mission statement and values and be able to articulate how you fit these
- Take a peek at the rules (they exist for a reason)
- For example, if there is a "no makeup under 12 rule" it is probably because they value girls being girls...so you now know that a low cut gown or super long train on a little one is NOT the best idea
- Note: the culture is what SELLS a pageant. For example, if talent is highly valued at one pageant and not at another, you can choose to compete or not. To not understand the culture is silly.
- Recent news:
- Maybe the pageant changed the age groups, or expanded into a new state, or is currently moving their national pageant...you MUST know what is going on if you plan to represent the program
- Note: you can often find such details on social media and on the pageant website
- Competitors
- What makes this pageant different than others? Well, why did YOU choose it?
- Example: many judges have asked Miss America (MAO) contestants how MAO differs from USA...you should know this if you are competing in one of these programs
- To understand the competition is to understand the pageant; you must come into the interview with a solid working knowledge of the pageant you are competing in...how else can you expect to represent it?
