In mastering the pageant interview, you need to ask the director what type of interview style the system uses. There are 5 different types of beauty pageant interview styles: one-on-one interview, panel interview, press conference style (or media) interview, on-stage questions, and talk show style. How to prepare for and have a winning pageant interview will be much easier once you know the style of interview and understand how each one is conducted.

Also, ask the director if the interview will be closed (for the judges); or done in front of the audience. Will you be standing or sitting? Will you be using a microphone? How long is the interview?

One-On-One Interview

This is a closed interview where the judges are seated at individual tables around the interview room. Contestants will enter the room in groups based on the number of judges, and you will rotate around the room in a round-robin style. Each contestant in that group is being interviewed at the same time in different spots within the room. When the time runs out, you stand up and move to the next table. For example, if there are 5 judges and each interview is 4 minutes in length, you’ll be interviewing for 20 minutes. Each interview will be different because each judge is different.
Panel Interview

Can be either a closed or open interview setting. All the judges are seated at one long table. You enter the interview space and will either sit or stand in front of the panel to answer your questions. The interview is usually 5 minutes in length, and every judge hears the same answer. Depending on how long it takes you to answer each question, every judge may not get an opportunity to ask you a question.
Press Style Conference or Media Interview

Can be conducted in a closed interview setting, but it is usually held on stage where the audience can also participate. You will stand either holding a microphone or behind a podium and answer questions from the judges and audience. Questions can be random and are asked quickly. Think of a presidential press conference and that will give you a good idea of this type of interview.
On-Stage Question

You will be onstage with the emcee. You will be asked either predetermined questions that you pull out of a bowl; or the emcee will ask you impromptu questions based on the information you wrote on your emcee card.
Talk Show Interview Style

Think Oprah, or any other talk show format, and you will know what this setting looks and feels like. The finalists are onstage as a group and sitting in chairs. The emcee will then ask each finalist a question or two. It is supposed to have a more casual, conversational feel so the contestants can express their personalities.

Pageants also have a tendency to shake things up from year to year. They may try a different style, or blend two of the styles to create a hybrid format. The more diversified and experienced you become in your interview skills; the less likely you are to be caught off guard or feel uncomfortable.

As a titleholder, you will be interviewed on stage, over the radio, on TV and for newspaper articles. Knowing how to express yourself in a concise and articulate fashion is very important. The best way to develop your Q&A skills is to practice, out loud, with an individual who can give you honest feedback and bring out your very best information.

If you want practice questions, purchase my interview cards under the resources tab.
March 30, 2011 07:22

Natural Pageants

Pageant systems that fall under this category are National American Miss (NAM), Miss American Coed Pageant (MAC), America’s National Teenager (ANTSO), Cinderella, America’s Outstanding Teen, Miss America, Miss USA, Mrs. America, Mrs. United States and Mrs. International. There are many more but this is a sampling of nationally familiar systems within the pageant world.

• Generally speaking, the makeup guideline for children under 12 is zero. Some will allow only mascara and lip gloss on stage under the bright light. Makeup used on teens and women is to enhance the natural beauty, not to become the focal point or to make them look like someone they’re not. The same goes for hairstyle. Always make sure to check with your director about the specifics for your pageant.
• Clothing is tasteful and has sparkle to it; but is not overly ornate. Wardrobe is usually purchased off the rack at a store and subtly embellished or customized by the contestant to reflect their sense of personality and style. The wardrobe is to always bring attention back to the girl wearing it. Not the other way around.
• Modeling style for gown is elegant and smooth. Arms and hands are close to your body moving in natural opposition (when you step forward with your right foot, your left arm is moving forward and so forth). For fun fashion or casual wear modeling, the style is more upbeat than in formal wear and has a runway feel; but elaborate routines and stunts are not appropriate.
• Facial expressions are natural with the energy of the eyes and smile matching.
• Communication skills are developed through an on-stage introduction, personal interview and on-stage question.

 

Glitz Pageants

There are many glitz pageants across the country. Glitz pageants are about creating an illusion and offer the opportunity for young children to get use to being on stage before they can speak.

• In glitz pageants, you will see the use of hairpieces, heavy make-up, deep spray tans, fake teeth (called flippers), false eyelashes, and color contacts worn by the majority of the contestants. Just make sure your child can tolerant having their hair teased, eyelashes glued on, and wearing heavy makeup. Glitz pageants are high maintenance and expensive. They are plentiful and easy to find for young children.
• Clothing for glitz pageant is more costume-like clothes and the short cupcake dress is primarily what you will see on the younger contestants. A cupcake dress is a dress that is several inches above the knee, has multiple layers of lace and is heavily stoned and bedazzled. Most of the dresses you see on the TV show Toddlers and Tiaras are cupcake dresses filmed at glitz pageants.
• Glitz pageants have their own style of modeling. Because of the full cupcake skirt, contestants learn to walk with their hands held away from their body with their finger tips gentle curving around the outer ruffle of their dress. When they walk, their arms don’t move in the natural oppositional way. Instead, they move in the same direction (if you step out with your right foot, the right arm moves slightly with it). The modeling routines are filled with tricks, stunts and elaborate moves to create a character on stage.
• Facial Expressions tend to be exaggerated with lots of eyelash batting, tilting of the head from side to side, and blowing kisses. You will see elaborate performance routines onstage.
• Oral communication skills are not the focus of glitz pageants. If the contestant speaks, it is brief or only to say her name, age and where she is from. This may be because most of the contestants are babies and toddlers whose speech isn’t yet develop. Again, the focus is on outer beauty. The crowns are enormous and the trophies are as tall as the children. There are usually lots of prizes, too.

 

 

Because the natural and glitz environments are so different, it’s hard, but not impossible, for children to successfully transition between the two. The habits are hard to break.

 

If you’re going to compete in pageants, the best advice I can give is to make the decision to compete in either glitz or natural. Don’t bounce between the two. It will only cause confusion and frustration for both you and your child. Once you’ve decided on the type of pageant, find the system that is the best fit for your goals and personal strengths and stick to it to obtain the best results.

Pat Miller, national director, created the Pure American Pageants system from her experience of competing in different systems over the past 6 years with her three daughters.

Pure American Pageant system is a wholesome, natural pageant with the focus on growing a girl’s self esteem, confidence and helping each contestant reach her dreams. In my interview with Pat, she shared with me that pageantry is a great way for girls and women to learn how to be ladies, develop their public speaking skills, and (for some) feel beautiful for the first time in their lives.

The national pageant will be very family oriented and have an optional prayer service on Sunday morning. In addition to offering a new pageant for contestants, the Miller family is offering business opportunities for people looking to be directors on the local and state levels.

Below are some of the details about this new and upcoming pageant.

• This first pageant will be an at-large competition where contestants can come straight to the national pageant without competing at a state or preliminary pageant.
• No flippers (fake teeth), hair extensions, wiglets, or hair pieces of any kind are allowed.
• No makeup on children under the age of 8.
• Ages 9-11 may wear mascara and lip gloss ONLY.
• Ages 12-19 may wear AGE appropriate make up. You want to look as natural as possible.
• Each queen commits to attend a minimum of 5 public events during her reign to promote the pageant; attend next year’s competition to help with the pageant and crown her successor; and work to recruit contestants for the pageant.
• Titleholders can compete in other pageant systems while holding a Pure American Girl title.
• National fee is $295 with a $50 sibling discount. May 1, 2011 is the deadline to pay all fees.
• Contestant’s age division will be determined by age as of January 1, 2011 through the National pageant date. Here’s an example: A contestant may be 3 years old as of January 1, 2011, and turn 4 in March or April 2011. The contestant has the choice of moving up to the 4-5 age group, or staying in the 2-3 age group.

 

AGE DIVISIONS

Baby
Age 1

Toddler
Ages 2-3

Tot
Ages 4-5

Little
Ages 6-8

Junior
Ages 9-11

Young
Ages 12-14

Miss
Ages 15-18

Ms.
Ages 19-29 (married or unmarried)

Woman
Ages 30+ (married or unmarried)

 

SCORING

Scoring is as follows:

For ages 3 and under

• Dress Wear 25%
• Casual Wear (Fashion) 25%
• Personality 25%
• Model of the Year 25%

Ages 4 and up:

• Personal Interview 25%
• Formal or Dress Wear 25%
• On-Stage Info-mercial 25%
• Model of the Year 25% (three different outfits)

 

Categories of Competition

• PERSONAL INTERVIEW

Personal Interview is the best way for judges to get to know the girls on a personal basis. Ages 4-11 can wear a church-style dress for interview. Ages 12 and older should wear a suit. The judging will be done in a “round-robin” style. This means that each girl will get 2 minutes to sit and talk personally with a judge and then move to the next judge. There will be three or four professional judges judging the pageant. Ages 3 and younger will not have a personal interview.

 

• ON-STAGE INFO-MERCIAL EXAMPLES (commercial)

Write an info-mercial that tells the judges about your school, community, town, or state. You will recite this info-mercial from memory during the evening wear competition. The info-mercial should not exceed 30 seconds.

 

• MODEL OF THE YEAR

Contestants choose three outfits from any of the following 10 categories. 
Western Wear
Pajamas
Formal Wear/Dress Wear
School Wear
Decade Costume
Seasonal Wear
Interview Wear
Favorite Sports Team
Party Wear
Outfit of Choice (this can be anything you want-ethnic outfit, dance wear, casual wear, etc. Swim wear is NOT allowed.)

• (A contestant should not wear the same formal-wear outfit for this portion of the competition that she will be wearing later for the formal wear separate judging. You can only wear 1 outfit in each category.)

• FORMAL WEAR

All contestants should wear a formal gown to show their elegance and poise. Ages 11 and younger can wear a long or short (knee length) pageant dress. For young contestants, fancy church dresses (Easter, Sunday, Christmas, and flower-girl style dresses are acceptable. Little girls’ formals are also acceptable). Ages 12 and older should wear floor length gowns. No plunging necklines, stomach cut outs, or super high slits, please.