Answers to Four Common Pageant Questions

There were four reoccurring pageant questions I kept receiving in my inbox this week so I decided to let everyone hear my answers to them.

Q: Do the judges score during the final pageant?

Yes, they do. However, the only contestants scored during the final pageant are the semi-finalists- the top 10 (or top 15 in some pageants). This is why you have to do and look your very best during all of the preliminary competitions. You have to score high enough to make the semi-finalist list to have a shot at the overall title. If you are a semi-finalist, then you have to do your best on finals night.

Bottom line is you need to be your very best every time you take the stage. Even if the opening number is not a “scored” event, the judges are still watching. Judges are human which means everything they see and hear factors into their feeling toward you.

Q: How much of the score is based on the quality of my dress?

This is where it starts to get a bit tricky. The judges never score just the dress. It is how YOU look in the dress. As a general rule, major label designer dresses are made of higher quality fabrics and stones. They fit your body better thus giving you great proportional shape, support and coverage. If you can find the perfect fit, color and style in a $100 dress (and some girls/women do) that’s great. But most of the time, you won’t.

Just because a dress is higher in price doesn’t guarantee it is a higher quality dress. Educate and train your eye to identify high quality garment construction components, and know the cut and styles that look best on you. Ultimately, the dress needs to make YOU look your very best. The dress is only part of the score. Your posture, facial expression, and stage presence also go into your “formal wear” score.

Q: What are the judges looking for in the onstage introduction?

They are looking for your TRUE personality to be revealed, how well you speak into a microphone in front of a large crowd, and your ability to connect with the audience. You can have the most cleverly written introduction, but if it’s delivered poorly, you’re not going to score well. Delivery involves your tonal quality and inflection, vocal projection, articulation, and confidence. It is not about delivering a choppy, memorized speech. It is the right balance between a clever commercial about yourself, and a conversation. It’s better for it to be a little too short than too long. It’s about quality, not quantity.

Q: What is proper interview attire? Can my suit have short sleeves?

Short sleeves are more appropriate if you are wearing a stylish sheath type of dress for interview. If you are wearing a traditional suit, go with long sleeves. Long sleeves are more formal where short sleeves are more casual. Check with your pageant system. Many pageants are moving away from suits because they are very hard to find and expense to make. Make no mistake though. Your interview attire must have a perfect fit, color and style that are appropriate for your pageant system and age division.

I cover these questions and more in great detail in my new 180 page book The Beauty Pageant Success Guide: Insider Secrets to Avoid Costly Mistakes & Emotional Stress Before Entering Your First Beauty Pageant. I guarantee it will be the best $20 investment you will ever make in your pageant preparation.