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The Ultimate Beauty Pageant Notebook

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The Ultimate Pageant Notebook:
Teen Pageant Edition

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The Ultimate Pageant Notebook:
Miss Pageant Edition

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The Ultimate Pageant Notebook:
Ms. Pageant Edition

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The Ultimate Pageant Notebook:
Mrs. Pageant Edition

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The Ultimate Kids Pageant Notebook

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The Ultimate Pageant Snap Book

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In the wake of the summer pageant season, many fans are left wondering, why didn't my favorite contestant win? There are many factors of pageant judging that can affect the final outcome of a pageant, producing results that can sometimes leave pageant contestants and audience members puzzled and cause speculation as to whether the pageant winner was somehow preselected. To better understand how pageant winners are chosen, let's take a look at how pageants are scored and some of the ways that the judges' votes can affect the final results in a beauty pageant.

1. Judging Panel

Each and every pageant has a unique set of contestants and a unique panel of judges. It is due to these circumstances that pageant results can be drastically affected by as much or as little as one judge's vote. Many pageant experts would agree that if you were to recreate a pageant with the exact same group of contestants and the exact same performances, but change the judging panel or even just one judge, the resulting scores in every pageant would change. This is often due to the nature of the fact that all judges are individuals who come from varied backgrounds, therefore, each judge is likely to be impressed by a different set of qualities in each contestant.

2. Preliminary Competitions

The majority of pageant productions begin with an introduction of all the contestants, followed by an immediate announcement of the Top 10 or Top 15 Semifinalists. What audience members usually don't see are the preliminary competitions held prior to the actual pageant stage show. While it is the practice of some pageants to wipe the scores clean at the start of the on-stage competition, others carry forward some or all of the scores that the contestants earned during the preliminary rounds of the pageant. When preliminary scores are kept and added to semifinalist scores in this manner, it can affect the total scoring while leaving the audience in the dark as to how each contestant performed prior to what they are watching on stage.

3. Final Vote

More often than not, there are multiple contenders slated as favorite contestants to win a pageant, and having more than one favorite actually can adversely affect scoring when it comes to final voting by the judges. Let's say for example that there are two equally good contestants, both top contenders for possible winners of the pageant. When it comes to the final vote, if the judges are split in their decision with half the judges voting for one contestant and half voting for another, the actual winner could be a completely different contestant who flies under the radar and has the majority of 2nd or 3rd place votes, giving them the highest combined score from all the judges; as opposed to the other two contestants, who each received only half the votes for the top spot.

As you can see, there are many factors that can affect pageant scoring and the final results of any beauty pageant. Over the years there has been some speculation on whether beauty pageants are fixed, especially when the audience favorite does not win. These situations can be explained by evaluating the total circumstances of how the judges' scores for preliminary and on-stage competitions were applied, along with how the final vote was scored to determine the winner of the pageant. With this understanding, contestants and fans alike can practice good sportsmanship knowing that no matter the final outcome, all the contestants were winners.

No matter what your age, type or category, the Ultimate Pageant Notebook will guide you through each step of the pageant preparation process from start to finish so that you will know exactly what to expect during each phase of pageant competition, and what to do when the pageant is over no matter what the results.

Although there has been controversy surrounding beauty pageants for adults and children in recent months, there are many reasons why pageant people compete in beauty pageants. To get a better understanding of how ordinary people get involved in pageants, let's take a look at some of the reasons why pageant people choose to compete.

Scholarship money

Much like sports, for children, teen, and miss beauty pageant contestants there is scholarship money given as prizes for those who win or place in pageants. For young ladies who are talented in the arts, competing in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen and the Miss America pageant systems offer substantial amounts of scholarship funds to students who would otherwise be unable to afford college. There are several pageant systems that offer scholarships, cash money prizes, and bonds to their winners, which many young people need to further their education in today's economy.

Celebrity Status

Many celebrities got their start in beauty pageants, and it is no surprise that there are plenty of pageant contestants out there who would like to follow in their footsteps. Some celebrities who have competed in beauty pageants are Oprah Winfrey, Diane Sawyer, Halle Berry, Marla Maples, Vanna White, Delta Burke, Sharon Stone, Michele Pfeifer, Vanessa Williams, Paula Zhan, Kathie Lee Gifford, Raquel Welch, and Tiffani Thiessen, just to name a few.

Learning good sportsmanship

For those children who do not enjoy sports or outdoor activities, pageants can be healthy competition and a way to learn good sportsmanship. To help teach good sportsmanship, it's important also for the parents and families of pageant contestants of all ages to conduct themselves as good sports no matter what the outcome of the pageant, just as they would when cheering on a child's team at a sporting event.

Networking

For many pageant contestants and pageant supporters, participating in pageants is a great way to meet like-minded people. The average pageant contestant is intelligent, educated, talented, and enjoys meeting people, so it is no wonder that many participants list networking as a reason to participate in pageants.

Fun and Friendship

Other than winning the crown, a very popular reason for many young women who compete in pageants is to have fun and make friends. A typical state beauty pageant consists of a weekend or weeklong stay at a hotel or resort, spent with fellow contestants rehearsing, practicing on stage, eating meals together, meeting interesting people, dressing up, and doing many things young women only dream of doing. Plus when all is said and done, one lucky lady gets to go home with a crown. What more could a girl ask for?

As you can see, there are many reasons pageant people compete in beauty pageants, and there are many reasons why, year after year, audiences tune in by the millions to watch as the winners are crowned, and to witness the makings of those who will become our future stars.

No matter what your age, type or category, the Ultimate Pageant Notebook will guide you through each step of the pageant preparation process from start to finish so that you will know exactly what to expect when arriving at your pageant.

Ask any experienced pageant contestant and they will tell you - the most crucial competition in any beauty pageant is the interview competition. So what it is about the interview competition that makes it so important? Can a contestant blow the interview, but still win the pageant?

Here are some reasons why pageant experts agree that the interview can make or break your standings in any pageant competition.

First Impressions

Did you ever hear the old saying, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression?" Well, the same holds true for pageants as in life, that when the judges see and hear you for the first time, that impression will set the tone for how they see you throughout the rest of the competition. And, since most beauty pageants follow the format of holding the preliminary interview competitions first, it is likely during the interview competition that you will get your one and only chance to make a first impression on the judges.

Communication Skills

Good communication skills are the foundation for excelling in any pageant speech or interview situation. A contestant who is strong in the interview department conveys to the judges that she can handle the next level of competition, should the winner be continuing on to a national or even international level. For example, the winner of a state pageant may go on to compete in Miss America or Miss USA, and the judges most likely will be looking to choose a winner who can effectively communicate her goals to a larger audience under intense circumstances without appearing nervous.

Expectations for the Titleholder

Once a winner is chosen, as titleholder they will be expected, whether on a local, state, national or international level, to represent their community by attendance at various appearances and events. Many times a pageant titleholder will be asked to speak at an event or to be interviewed by the press. Based upon performance during pageant speeches and interviews, the judges will be able to choose a contestant they feel will be able to effectively fulfill the duties of a winner.

As you can see, pageant interviews can make or break a contestant's standings, and with good reason. The most important thing to remember during any pageant interview is to relax and be yourself, for it is ultimately your personality that will win the crown.

The Ultimate Pageant Notebook will guide you on how to prepare for your pageant interview, work with practice pageant interview questions, and gain the confidence you need to win over the judges and ultimately win your pageant.

Some pageant contestants find that choosing the right pageant platform can be a challenging task. Nonetheless, it is one of the most important decisions you, as a contestant, can make prior to beginning your pageant preparations. Here are some of the reasons why choosing the right pageant platform can help your chances of winning a beauty pageant.

Giving Insight to the Judges

Your personal pageant platform is a reflection of not only you as a contestant and potential titleholder; it is also a reflection of the personal side of you and things that are important to you personally and in your community. Your platform gives the judges insight as to what you plan to do with the title should you win the pageant.

Having Knowledge About Your Platform

By choosing a personal pageant platform based on your own individual experiences, knowledge, and interests, you can position yourself to be able to enjoy working with the organizations and charities that are affiliated with similar goals to yours. For example, if one of your family members has been diagnosed with a particular illness, or if you, yourself, have gone through a life experience and you feel others can benefit from your guidance and example, these are the type of subjects from which to develop a platform that is right for you.

Continuing Your Involvement as a Titleholder

Since the goal of every pageant contestant is to win the pageant, it's important that you enjoy working with your platform since the winner of the pageant will be expected to work toward his or her stated goals during the year of her reign. By picking a platform that you genuinely and thoroughly enjoy, you will ensure that your entire year as a pageant titleholder will be full of exciting events for you and your supporters.

As you can see, there are many reasons to choose the right pageant platform prior to competing in a beauty pageant, but most importantly to enjoy working with your platform and be true to yourself.
With the Ultimate Pageant Notebook you can use our exclusive pageant platform survey to evaluate your personal interests, get pageant platform ideas, and choose a pageant platform that is right for you.

Looking for free pageant tips? Cherie Wimberly is a pageant expert author. Follow the links below to read helpful articles full of great pageant tips from the author of the Ultimate Beauty Pageant Notebook:




Why It's Important to Choose the Right Personal Pageant Platform

Some pageant contestants find that choosing the right pageant platform can be a challenging task. Nonetheless, it is one of the most important decisions you, as a contestant, can make prior to beginning your pageant preparations. Here are some of the reasons why choosing the right pageant platform can help your chances of winning a beauty pageant. Read the full article...


How a Pageant Interview Can Make or Break Your Standings

Ask any experienced pageant contestant and they will tell you - the most crucial competition in any beauty pageant is the interview competition. So what is it about the interview competition that makes it so important? Can a contestant blow the interview, but still win the pageant? Read the full article...


Why Pageant People Compete in Beauty Pageants

Although there has been a good deal of controversy surrounding beauty pageants for adults and children in recent months, there are many reasons why pageant people compete in beauty pageants. To get a better understanding of how ordinary people get involved in pageants, let's take a look at some of the reasons why pageant people choose to compete. Read the full article...


How Pageant Judging Can Affect the Final Results

In the wake of the summer pageant season, many fans are left wondering, why didn't my favorite contestant win? To better understand how pageant winners are chosen, let's take a look at how pageants are scored and some of the ways that the judges' votes can affect the final results in a beauty pageant. Read the full article...