The Pageant Planet

The Secret to Pageant Confidence

Mary Rohweder — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:36:55 +0000

Confidence will radiate from within when you learn to feel comfortable with who you are.

In this post, I will discuss the most important pageant tip that will help you to win the crown. As a pageant coach, I am constantly asked the ultimate question: “What are the judges looking for in the next titleholder?” First of all, every pageant system has a judging criteria. However, these terms are often quite general – poise in evening gown, confidence in swimsuit, communication skills in interview, etc. The judges have to take the criteria and assess which contestant fulfills the terms the best.

Before I reveal the ultimate secret, let me make this clear – I am not a pageant coach that promotes maintaining the status quo, imitating the previous titleholder, or anything disingenuous regarding the pageant competition. Certainly girls have won by doing those things, but my personal philosophy is that you will be a better contestant and have greater capacity for creating your own pageant legacy if you compete at the next level. All you need to do is…be yourself. Most of the time, the judges do not have a picture perfect image of who the next titleholder will be in their minds, and every girl has an equal opportunity of winning the crown. That means you have the chance to show the judges exactly what they want – and while they may not know it yet, what they want is you. Here’s what the judges are looking for and how to show them that you have it all:

Confidence Begins With You

1. Being yourself begins with your personality.

Personality is the way that you display who you are. I believe that representing your personality to the fullest is such a key factor to pageantry success. A serious contender will make sure that her personality shines through in her wardrobe choices, in her modeling attitude, in her composure, and in her words. When it comes to personality, you truly want to focus on the little details that make you unique. Focus on what makes you stand out. The judges do not have a set idea of the next titleholder, and it is your opportunity to persuade them that you are right for the position!

Think about what it is that makes you special, find confidence in that, and show that to the judges. Rima Fakih had such a rare energy to where she could walk into a room with such a glowing, genuine presence. Alyssa Campanella is a redhead who is open about loving science and history! While those things are great for those two, you want to focus on what makes you different and special. The key to learning how to be yourself is embracing who you are! You also want to remember to fully embrace your personality. Your wardrobe choices should scream your name. When you’re modeling on the stage, you want to own your moment. With each step and stance, you should be completely engaged in expressing yourself with your signature smile, upbeat bounce, or whatever way you interject your personality into your modeling. In the interview, don’t get stressed out about having the perfect answer. Instead, put your personality out there for the judges to fall in love with! Smile and be yourself – you will make the judges feel absolutely amazing about choosing you as the next titleholder. Your efforts will backfire if you try too hard and push your personality onto everyone and everything, or you invent a new personality that you think the judges will find more appealing. Be true to you – that is who the judges are ultimately looking for.

2. Let the judges know what you believe in.

Philosophy is your set of beliefs about the world around you. Philosophy is important in the interview competition. This is where you express your opinions or ideas. No two pageant girls actually have the same philosophy, so pretending to “fit the mold” and promote a philosophy that you think all pageant girls have will not do you any favors. The judges are not judging you based upon the content of your philosophy, but rather the way you express it. Philosophy is also crucial in your personal platform. You want to share the moments that define and shape your philosophy in a meaningful way. Your goal is to tug on the judges’ heart strings and see you as a titleholder who wants to change the world! If you are advocating for cancer research because of your mother or best friend, that is a much more compelling stance than “Oh, cancer is bad!” Take the time to actually define what encompasses your philosophy in concrete, fully-developed ideas. Reflect upon why you hold this philosophy. Investing your true self into your philosophy will work to your advantage and make you a memorable contestant.

Finding Confidence in Your Actions

3. Be proactive in your community through service that goes hand in hand with your philosophy.

Service is the actions you perform in order to improve the world around you. While service may derive from your philosophy, they are not the same thing. Philosophy is your beliefs; service is your actions. Service definitely comes into play with your personal platform – you want to show the judges how you enacted your philosophy, whether through organizing a fundraiser gala or speaking at local venues on behalf of your cause. However, service is not completely limited to your platform. If you contributed to your community in a way that is not connected to your platform, you should certainly be proud of that! Service reveals to the judges that you have given a part of yourself to your community, and will take action on the causes you care about.

4. Show the judges what makes you beautiful.

Beauty is the manner in which you display your internal and external gifts. I believe that beauty begins from the inside, and so you must develop your inner beauty. In order to be show the judges your beauty, you must know what makes you beautiful in your own way. Here is where you will find confidence in yourself. Pageants are a wonderful opportunity to search your soul and learn what makes you special. Once you find your inner beauty, your outer beauty will be enhanced through your composure. While outer beauty is not the most important quality to have in a pageant, it is still important to enhance with hair and makeup styling best for your features. You want to be yourself inside and out and have the total package.

Expressing Confidence Through Your Wardrobe

5. Express yourself with a fabulous sense of style that complements your personality.

Style is the expression of your personality through wardrobe and accessory choices. Expressing your personality through your pageant ensembles is another way to reiterate your identity. If a bubbly, outgoing contestant were to wear a demure black gown, she would send a confusing message to the judges. Your wardrobe should confirm your personality and reinforce the message you send regarding your personality.

If you are true to yourself in personality, philosophy, service, beauty and style I can promise you that the judges will absolutely love you! You can see that those five elements are very interchangeable to build the wonderful package that is you – all you need is a crown to complete the look!

Miss Universe Organization at Giants Victory Party

Thatiana Diaz — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:21:34 +0000

This Sunday, the New York Giants won Super Bowl XLVI. In celebration of the big win, New York City Midtown restaurant, Sofrito, held a victory party with the Miss Universe Organization ladies Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella and Miss Universe, Leila Lopes on Monday, February 6th. The beauty queens posed for pictures with New York Giants free safety, Antrel Rolle as dozens of eager fans gathered and took pictures. The celebration also honored famous pop artist Charles Fazzino with his official NFL-licensed Super Bowl XLVI artwork.

For the news video and more information, go to http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/super-bowl-artwork-unveiled-at-giants-victory-party-20120206

This post was submitted by Thatiana Diaz.

Read to Succeed: Picking Your Pageant Magazine

Courtney Charatsaris — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:00:39 +0000

Pageant magazines often feature the latest titleholders, like Leila Lopes, the reigning Miss Universe!

One of the quickest and cheapest ways to get pageant advice (outside of The Pageant Planet of course) and news is to pick up a copy of a pageant magazine. Two of the largest pageant magazines are Pageantry and Four Points. Each strives to educate the pageant community and keep readers up-to-date with the latest headlines and trends.

Pageantry Magazine: The Ultimate Pageant Magazine

For over 30 years, Pageantry has been helping current, former, and future beauty queens stay at the top of their game. They provide insight into all things pageantry and even help with prom and formal event pointers. They do interviews and stories with major pageant titleholders and celebrities, and give advice and expert opinions on everything from dresses to modeling! Pageantry offers beauty tips and different views from coaches and pageant pros, and even articles that can help you break into modeling and show business! This magazine is a staple to almost every pageant girl out there. It is so full of different products, services, and information that is so helpful and fun that it has easily won its spot as the top selling industry magazine!

Four Points Magazine: The Miss America Pageant Magazine

Four Points Magazine is named after the famed four points on the Miss America crown (four points being Scholarship, Style, Service, and Success). As you would imagine, this magazine is focused on the Miss America Organization rather than all pageant systems, like Pageantry. It has articles about current and former Miss Americas, articles about local and state programs and directors, and interviews with industry pros (like Steven whom they interview a few months ago!) as well. Four Points also includes make-up and hair tips, as well as useful tools and guidelines to better prepare you as a contestant and titleholder.

The Up-and-Coming Pageant Magazine: Tiara Magazine

Yet another pageant magazine that will keep you in the loop and at the top of your game is Tiara Magazine, founded by Sherrie Gearhart. It, too, is filled with health and beauty advice, pageant trends and news, fashion tips, and modeling tips. The magazine offers several contests each month, too. Tiara Mag is a fantastic resource for the insider’s look at pageant gossip and savvy tips from experts and pageant girls who completely understand where you are coming from in your experience.

Newest Pageant Magazine: American Model Magazine

American Model Magazine is released once a quarter and was created to spotlight contestants, models, pageant organizations and vendors, as well as top agencies tips and tools to be successful within the Pageant and Model Industry. And in their next issue our founder Steven Roddy is going to be featured.

Pageant magazines are great for any level of contestant and/or pageant enthusiast. For about $5 an issue, you can read about all your favorite titleholders, learn from the best about how to be the best and stay at your most competitive during all phases of competition. Pick up a copy today and start learning more about the organizations you invest your time and money in!