Pageant Preparation with The Ultimate Pageant Notebook

Free Pageant Tips: Advice on Mrs Pageants for Married Women

2012-02-11T05:03:00.003-05:00

Here is a great article for contestants preparing to compete in a Mrs. Pageant:

3 Pageant Preparation Tips for Mrs Pageants and Married Women

by Rhonda Shappert

Speaking from personal experience, the amount of time and level of preparation it took for me to get ready to compete in a Mrs. pageant was at least double the amount of pageant preparation time it took when I competed as a Teen or Miss contestant. As married women, we are juggling our husbands, jobs, children, managing our households and serving our communities. Because of this, Mrs. contestants need to start preparing long before single competitors to avoid making costly mistakes.

The first year I entered the Mrs. Ohio America pageant, I started my pageant preparation 6 months before the pageant. Looking back, all I really focused on was losing the baby fat I had gained with my third child. I did look great in my bathing suit that year; however I didn't even make the top 10. Within 3 days after that state pageant, I started my preparation for next year's pageant and the results were dramatically different.

The big three pageants for married women are the Mrs. America, Mrs. United States and Mrs. International pageants. I want to share with you 3 key pageant preparation tips I've learned over the past decade with these systems for married women.

Tip 1: Start your pageant preparation 1 year before your first competition date.

From the audience, watch the pageant you plan on competing in the year prior to entering. You will see the style of gowns, hair and makeup worn by the top 3 contestants. This will save you money and time as you will see which styles do and don't work for that system. If this isn't possible, purchase the DVD from the previous year and watch it.

You will need the year to develop excellent interview and communication skills. It takes time to break speech habits and to develop the necessary confidence to speak with ease in front of a crowd. This is especially important if married women have been home raising young children for several years. Mothers may be out of practice from speaking with adults and communicating on a deeper level. No judgment here. I'm speaking from my own personal experience of having had 3 children in 4 years. It takes a little bit to jump from Sesame Street to the real world.

Married women need to set aside time to work out and refine their personal image. It takes time to find the right hairstyle and makeup that is most flattering for your facial beauty.

Tip 2: Create your pageant budget.

Financial issues will quickly create stress and conflict in a marriage. I'm about to share the following numbers not to scare anyone but to offer guidance so you know upfront what is expected financial from pageant contestants. To enter one of the big 3 state pageants for married women, a contestant can plan on spending between $2000-$5000. For a national pageant, plan on having at least $5000 for starters. Armed with these numbers and enough preparation time, women can use their creativity and resourcefulness to produce the money they need to compete.

There are four main areas you will want to budget for:

Coaching services

Photos, headshots and advertising pages

Wardrobe

Travel, hotel, food and tickets for your family to attend the pageant.

Don't make the mistake of spending your entire budget on your clothing. I did that my first year. Your wardrobe is important but not as important as the coaching services you need to polish your image.

Tip 3: Put together you pageant preparation team.

When I heavily invested in my team, that's when I started winning the titles. With Mrs. pageants, the look is very classy and elegant with a hint of fashion flair. Interview, walking, hair, makeup and fitness are some of the areas you will want to find experienced pageant coaches to help you prepare. Just because someone says they are a pageant coach or a makeup artist doesn't necessarily mean they are the right fit for you. Research your people and trust your gut feeling with who you hire.

Your interview makeup needs to be flawless. No heavy false eyelashes or brightly colored cosmetics. Your skin should appear smooth and radiant. Choosing the right foundation is critical. This takes the skilled hand of a makeup artist experienced in the pageant world to bring out your natural beauty and make it look like you aren't wearing any makeup. If you look heavily made up during your interview, it will cost you points. Stage makeup is different but the concept still applies. Your facial features should stand out without screaming bright colors.

Your hair needs to look healthy and shiny. Hair worn down is the best look for most women. When it comes to color, one solid color with subtle highlights scores better than the dramatic streaked look. The soft highlights help to give depth and texture to hair under the lights but you don't want them to be overly dramatic. In Mrs. pageants, they are looking for the natural beauty of a classy woman to shine.

Rhonda Shappert, is an iPEC certified expert pageant coach. In addition to holding multiple titles herself including Mrs. Ohio America, her clients have won titles at local, state and national pageants. Her free special report, 10 Insider Secrets to Winning, is available on her website http://www.WinningThroughPageantry.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5954584

Competing in a Mrs. Pageant?

Check out the latest styles of Mrs. Pageant Swimsuits

Read testimonials about our products from Mrs. Pageant Contestants

You'll also need a copy of the Mrs. Pageant Notebook

Pageant Coaching Video: Beauty Pageant Interview Outfits

2012-02-02T06:58:00.003-05:00

Learn which interview outfit to wear to a beauty pageant interview, what it says about you, and how to interview with a judge.

Preparing for a pageant interview?

You'll need a copy of the Ultimate Pageant Notebook

Learn more about the importance of Pageant Interview Preparation

Browse the latest styles of Pageant Interview Outfits

Pageant People We Love: Vanessa Williams

2012-01-26T06:12:00.020-05:00

Vanessa Williams Miss America 1984

Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop R-and-B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first African-American woman to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal caused her to relinquish her title early and she was succeeded by the first runner-up, Suzette Charles of New Jersey, who was also African-American. Williams rebounded by launching a career as an entertainer, earning multiple Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award nominations.

Williams competed in the Miss Syracuse Pageant when a campus musical she was in was canceled in 1983. After winning the Miss Syracuse title, Williams won the Miss New York crown in 1983, and went on to compete for Miss America at the national pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Prior to the final night of competition, Williams won both preliminary competitions - Talent and Swimsuit - earlier in the week. She was crowned Miss America 1984 on September 17, 1983.

Due to scandalous photos that were published of Williams, and sponsors threatening to pull out of the upcoming 1985 Miss America pageant, Williams felt pressured by the Miss America Pageant officials to resign, and did so in a press conference on July 23, 1984. The title subsequently went to the first runner-up, Suzette Charles.

Vanessa Williams in Ugly Betty

Although she resigned from fulfilling the duties of a current Miss America, Williams was allowed to keep her crown and scholarship money, and is officially recognized by the Miss America Organization as Miss America 1984.

Williams released her debut album The Right Stuff in 1988, and in 1994 she debuted on Broadway in the musical Kiss of the Spider Woman. In 1995 she recorded "Colors of the Wind", the Oscar-winner for Best Original Song from the Disney animated feature film Pocahontas.

Williams's first film acting role was as the star of the feature film Eraser in 1996. From 2006 to 2010 she played the role of the scheming, self-absorbed diva and former supermodel Wilhelmina Slater in the ABC comedy series Ugly Betty, for which she received three Emmy Awards nominations. In 2009, Williams released her eighth studio album, The Real Thing.

In 2010 she joined the ensemble cast of the series Desperate Housewives as spoiled rich gal Renee Perry.

Many singers, actresses, television celebrities, and print models get their start in pageants. If you would like to learn how to compete in a beauty pageant, check out the Ultimate Pageant Notebook for insider secrets to winning and pageant tips on how to get started.

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Pageant Dresses and More: Gown Guide for Beginners

2012-01-18T13:55:00.006-05:00

A Beginner's Guide to Beauty Pageant Dresses and Gowns

By Tiffany Hansenn

When it comes to beauty pageants, everyone knows that pageant dresses and gowns can make or break a contestant. Choosing the best pageant dress is critical to ensuring that you have given the competition your very best effort. Along with exuding self-confidence, poise, and grace your choice of pageant gown may be the determining factor of how the judges score your performance. It is important that you make the decision of what gown you will wear carefully.

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a pageant dress is color. When choosing the color of your dress, it is important to understand what colors look best with your natural skin tone and hair color. Certain colors are more flattering to the wearer then others and you should never choose a dress simply because it is your favorite color. You may find that working with a pageant trainer is the best way to develop your eye for shades and ensure that you choose pageant dresses that compliment and enhance your skin and hair tones, rather then work against them.

Beauty Pageant Notebook

Knowing your body shape is vitally important when selecting a dress. Always choose a dress that compliments your shape. If you are long waisted, then don't choose a dress that has a short waist line, and vice versa. You will also need to consider how revealing you want your dress to be. Judges may look unfavorably upon some dresses that are too low cut or have excessively high slits. Knowing what the judges are looking for is crucial for making your decision. It is also important to follow any rules and guidelines set forth in the pageant competition.

The season that the pageant is hosted in is also an important factor to consider when choosing a pageant gown. Different colors are associated with certain seasons and it is important to choose a color that is appropriate for that time of year.

You will also need to ensure that the dress fits perfectly. If it is too tight around the bust or too loose, you may end up forfeiting the win. You will also need to determine what type of neckline your pageant gown should have. Your natural figure and shape will determine what type of neckline will look best on you. The neckline should also compliment as well as enhance your shoulders.

Knowing your body type and choosing a dress that enhances your best features is essential to winning beauty pageants. You will also need to be wary of choosing a dress that has too many patterns or extra detailing. If the gown looks too "busy" the judges may not be impressed and you may walk away with a very low score. Studying past pageants may help you decide what the judges are looking for when it comes to pageant gowns. You want to make sure that you choose a gown that looks smashing, but not trashy. Choosing gowns that compliment your skin tone, don't reveal too much flesh, and have tasteful patterns contribute to ensuring that you will look poised and graceful in your next pageant.

Tiffany Hansenn is a contributor to a leading beauty pageant advice website. The website features pageant tips and beauty pageant dresses. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/576394

Selecting your wardrobe for a pageant?

You'll need a copy of the Ultimate Beauty Pageant Notebook

Check out the latest and most popular styles of Pageant Dresses

Look great in your pageant gown by choosing one of these helpful Body Shapers

Choosing a pageant dress and accessorizing pageant dresses are important aspects of competition. The Ultimate Beauty Pageant Notebook contains valuable tips to help Miss, Teen, Mrs, Ms and Kids pageant contestants prepare for evening gown, formal wear, and other competitions in pageants. Learn More

Pageant News: Miss Wisconsin is Crowned Miss America

2012-01-17T14:39:00.002-05:00

Laura Kaeppeler, Miss Wisconsin, was crowned Miss America 2012 in Las Vegas this past Saturday night after she impressed the judges with opera singing and her answer to the final interview question from Good Morning America host Laura Spencer about whether or not Miss America should be allowed to declare a political affiliation. “Miss America represents everyone,” she said.

Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler

Kaeppeler, from Kenosha, Wisconsin, is working toward a master’s degree in speech pathology, and her title has earned her $50,000 in scholarship funds. She aspires to mentor the children of incarcerated parents.

The new Miss America was awarded an additional $2,000 in scholarships for her win in the preliminary talent competition, a performance of “Il Bacio” by Luigi Arditi.

The pageant took a slightly different turn this year, as contestants were eliminated in the middle of segments such as the talent competition, rather than at the end of each segment, emulating popular reality shows. Contestants were also entrusted to save one contestant from elimination by voting for their favorite, and the majority selected Courtney Porter, Miss Alabama.

The five Miss America finalists were: Miss America (Wisconsin), Laura Kaeppeler; Miss New York, Kaitlin Monte; Miss Arizona, Jennifer Sedler; Miss California, Noelle Freeman; and Miss Oklahoma, Betty Thompson. The finalists did not include Miss South Carolina, Bree Boyce, who gained notoriety from a recent People Magazine article covering her story of extreme weight loss.

Last year’s Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan, who was the youngest Miss America winner ever, at age 17, crowned the new Miss America.

Competing in a Miss America Preliminary pageant?

You'll want to check out the Miss Pageant Notebook

Learn more about Miss America Pageant Platform Ideas

Read about the personal experiences of 22 Former Miss Americas

Pageant Definitions and Terms: Glitz and Natural Beauty Pageants

2012-01-10T05:34:00.005-05:00

Are you glitz and glamour, or a natural beauty? Find out which type of pageant is right for you:

The Differences Between Glitz and Natural Beauty Pageants

By Rhonda Shappert

This week I received the same question from two different mothers whose daughters both want to be Miss America someday. What is the difference between glitz and natural beauty pageants and which one do I recommend?

Both glitz and natural pageants can help young girls develop confidence and stage presence in a fun environment; but there are big differences between the glitz and natural worlds of pageantry. To understand where my point of view is coming from, let me first point out that the two young girls want to compete in the Miss America system. Secondly, I am a specialized natural pageant coach with my expertise being in resume writing, interview/communication skills, and positive self-image development.

Natural Pageants

Teen Pageant Notebook

Pageant systems that fall under this category are National American Miss (NAM), American Coed Pageant (COED), International Junior Miss (IJM), America's National Teenager (ANTSO), Cinderella, America's Outstanding Teen, Miss America, Teen-World, Miss USA, Mrs. America, Mrs. United States and Mrs. International. There are many more but this is a sampling of familiar systems to people 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).

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.

Who does well in natural pageants? Contestants who enjoy speaking, are skilled in an artist talent, make good grades, have a charitable cause they're passionate about, and are well-rounded individuals tend to excel in natural pageants. These skills can easily transfer into life outside of the pageant stage.

Glitz Pageants

There are many glitz pageants across the country. If your child is blessed with facial beauty, then this may be the place to start. Glitz pageants 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.

Clothing for glitz pageant is usually the short cupcake skirt dress. 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 and are 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).

Facial Expressions tend to be exaggerated with lots of eyelash batting, tilting of the head from side to side, and blowing kisses.

The opportunity to develop oral communication skills are limited in 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.

Kids Pageant Notebook

Who does well in glitz pageants? Contestants who really enjoy getting all dressed up to create new characters on stage will love glitz pageants. The crowns are bigger than the child's head and the trophies are twice their height. There are usually lots of prizes, too.

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 very popular and easy to find for children under the age of 5.

Because the glitz environment is about creating an illusion, it's hard, but not impossible, for children who have only done glitz pageants to successfully transition into natural pageants as they age up. The modeling style, limited speaking experience and facial expressions learned at a young age are hard habits to break.

So to answer the second part of the question as to which pageant type I would recommend, since these two little girls want to be Miss America someday (and what 10-year-old doesn't want to be) I would say stick to the natural pageant systems.

Rhonda Shappert, is an iPEC certified expert pageant coach, judge, and mother of three daughters. In addition to holding multiple titles herself including Mrs. Ohio America, her clients have won titles at local, state, national and international pageants. For her free special report, 10 Insider Secrets to Winning, and other resources, visit her website http://www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6113772

Many children involved in television and commercials get their start in pageants. If you would like to learn more about natural and glitz pageants, and how your child can compete in a beauty pageant, check out the Ultimate Kids Pageant Notebook for insider secrets and pageant tips on how to get started.

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Pageant Coaching Video: Preparing for a Pageant Swimwear Competition

2012-01-02T07:31:00.005-05:00

Watch this video for helpful tips on how to choose a pageant swimsuit, accessorize and walk in the swimwear competition of a beauty pageant.

Ready to practice walking in your pageant swimsuit? You might also like:

The Ultimate Pageant Practice Kit

The Ultimate Pageant Practice Kit is a collection of pageant practice music combined with detailed stage direction diagrams and step-by-step instructions on walking and posing on stage to practice your poise and presentation skills across several beauty pageant categories of competition such as swimwear, fitness wear, fashion and casual wear, western wear and evening wear. Also included is a parade of contestants music track to play while practicing your contestant introduction to the judges, along with our list of Top 10 pageant practice questions to help prepare you for some of the questions you may be asked while competing in pageant interviews.

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Pageant People We Love: Vanna White

2011-12-29T08:46:00.008-05:00

Former Runner-Up at Miss Georgia USA, Vanna White (far right in orange) went on to become the hostess of the popular television game show Wheel of Fortune.

Vanna White Pageant Runner-Up

Vanna White's first appearance in a game show was on the June 20, 1980 episode of The Price Is Right in which she was among the first four contestants. She did not make it on stage, but the clip of her running to Contestants' Row was rebroadcast as part of The Price Is Right 25th Anniversary Special in August of 1996 and also was featured on the special broadcast, Game Show Moments Gone Bananas. After Wheel of Fortune hostess Susan Stafford left in October 1982, White was chosen as one of three substitute hostesses (along with Vicki McCarty and Summer Bartholomew) to co-host the show. On December 13, 1982, White became the show's regular hostess and remained as the show's daytime hostess until 1991.

Vanna White on The Price is Right

Vanna's popularity peaked after the syndicated version of Wheel of Fortune made its debut in September 1983, a role she has held ever since. Her 1987 autobiography, “Vanna Speaks,” was a best-seller. Also in 1987, she was featured in a Playboy pictorial, showing photos taken of her by her boyfriend (before her career on Wheel of Fortune) wearing see-through Josh Liebman brand lingerie.

In 1988, she appeared in the NBC television film "Goddess of Love," in which she played Venus; fellow game-show personality Betsy Palmer co-starred as Juno. The film was panned universally by critics with TV Guide joking that White's acting was "wheely" bad. Film historian Leonard Maltin added that said picture was "...bottom-of-the-barrel yet, on its own terms, a must-see."

Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune

Vanna White also has made cameo appearances on television shows such as The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, 227, Simon and Simon, and Full House; and in films such as Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult. She appeared in the supporting role of Doris in the low-budget B-Movie "Graduation Day" in 1981. She guest-starred on Married...With Children, in a gender-bending parody of the film Indecent Proposal; White had the Robert Redford role, while Al Bundy was in Demi Moore's. She served as guest timekeeper for Wrestle Mania IV. In 1992, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized White as "television's most frequent clapper." In 1996, she was the main narrator and singer in the CD release of Leslie Bricusse's "Santa's Last Ride." On April 20, 2006, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Many television celebrities and print models get their start in pageants. If you would like to learn how to compete in a beauty pageant, check out the Ultimate Pageant Notebook for insider secrets to winning and pageant tips on how to get started.

Learn More

Free Pageant Tips: 3 Little Known Beauty Pageant Tips

2011-12-23T08:20:00.007-05:00

3 Little Known Beauty Pageant Tips to Win Beauty Pageants

By Stacy James

There is a myth that one "look" wins beauty pageants. All you have to do is to glance at photographs of winners over the past few years in order to see the fallacy of that statement.

There is no one exact "winning look" that is guaranteed to succeed.

One of the reasons that a "special look" won't always win a beauty pageant is that pageants are not all the same. Each pageant has its own distinct "look" and image. The secret is to find the balance between being yourself and conveying the image of the title you hope to win

Winning the pageant means you will be representing that pageant for the next year and you must "look the part." Understanding the pageant's image will help you develop the most suitable look for the competition. Different pageants have different looks. You should tailor your hairstyle, makeup and wardrobe to look your best and to fit the general image of the pageant you are entering.

The image of the Miss America pageant calls for classic beauty, an elegant evening-gown look, usually mid-length or upswept hair and a wholesome figure. Contestants are generally between 5'3" and 5'11" in height.

Miss Pageant Notebook

Miss USA contestants tend to be taller, between 5'6" and 6'0" in height; and the pageant calls for more of a supermodel look, gorgeous face, glamorous evening gown, long or upswept hair, sexy, busty, leggy figures.

Miss Universe is a multi-ethnic look, a classically beautiful face, oftentimes a regal look, hair worn down over the shoulders or upswept, pretty but not necessarily a voluptuous figure. Heights tend to be in the Miss America range.

In the major teen pageants it is becoming increasingly difficult to match the "wholesome" factor with today's media-inspired "glam" look.

America's Junior Miss and Miss Teen of America look for that girl next-door image, a pretty face, healthy body and simple, pretty evening gown look. The Miss T.E.E.N. pageant is a very similar wholesome image but with a slightly more glamorous look, a "teenage Miss America" look.

Teen Pageant Notebook

The Miss Teen USA image is probably the most glamorous of the teen pageants with a youthfully pretty look, glamorous but simpler evening gowns and a well-toned figure.

Questions & Answers:

"I really want to win. It would be smart to look like last year's winner, wouldn't it?"

Not necessarily. While you want to reflect the overall image of the pageant that you enter you don&'t want to be a "clone" of last year's winner.

The secret is to balance the look of the pageant with your own, unique beauty. Be original, not a copy of someone else. Try to fit the image of the title you are trying to win but make sure you remain an individual and the best you that you can be.

"Are "Big Hair" and "White Dresses" a sure bet to win a pageant?"

While it is true that more pageant winners have worn white dresses than any other color, almost as many past winners have worn other colors as there are colors of the rainbow. Specific colors that have done very well in the winner's circle include black, red, pink, royal blue, turquoise, lilac, metallic silver or gold, pastel blue or aqua, beige or skin tones, yellow, ivory or cream, peach, greens, and even prints and designs.

Colors that do NOT do well include brown, gray, camel, rust, mustard, olive green, navy blue, dark purple, orange and stripes. It would probably be best to stay away from those colors when selecting an evening gown. But otherwise - anything goes! Choose a color that YOU look good in.

"Big Hair" is also a feature that many pageant winners share but your haircut and style should be both the most flattering style for your face and a look appropriate for the pageant you are entering. Although there is a "winning look" for hair - feminine, natural, and flowing - it is uniquely different for each girl.

Should a pageant contestant get dental veneers?

Once again the answer depends on the girl and the pageant. At the national level a winning smile is absolutely one of the most important aspects of a contestant's appearance. At the local level and in the younger age ranges it becomes less important.

High tech cosmetic dental procedures are putting the perfect smile within reach of any contestant who can afford it - but be aware that cosmetic dental procedures are a considerable financial investment.

There are some less involved and less expensive alternatives including: teeth whitening, contouring natural teeth or bonding procedures.

Should I try to look more elegant for a pageant, or just go with my normal look?

For the interview and rehearsal portion of the program you want to go with your own, natural, look - but be the best you that you can present. Nicely styled hair and carefully applied makeup, an appropriate interview outfit or rehearsal clothes will make a statement about you.

In the evening gown competition you want to match the image of the pageant and keep in mind that even the most wholesome family-oriented pageants expect some degree of "elegance" in the evening gown competition.

This excerpt has been taken from the best-selling ebook "Insider Secrets for Winning Beauty Pageants". If you want to discover the coveted techniques to win the crown exposed by an underground pageant consultant, queen & judge - checkout: [http://www.beauty-pageant-secrets.com/Special] right now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/847695

The Ultimate Beauty Pageant Notebook is a pageant preparation workbook available in special editions for Miss, Teen, Mrs, Ms and Kids pageant contestants and is part of the Pageant U complete pageant preparation system.

Pageant Dresses and More: The Little Red Dress

2011-12-22T17:51:00.006-05:00

This season instead of the good old standby LBD (little black dress), take our advice and opt for a more seasonable treat - the LRD!

We love the little red dress this year for its simple style, sophistication, and wearability for any occasion. Now is the time to express your personal style and come out blazing at party time!

Whether it's a pageant event, or holiday affair, the LRD is your ticket to pageant fashion this year. Our Top Pick

Pageant News: Former Miss Venezuela Dies of Breast Cancer at Age 28

2011-12-21T16:11:00.002-05:00

Former Miss Venezuela has passed away in a hospital in Houston, Texas, at age 28, leaving an inspired family and country behind her.

Former Miss Venezuela has passed away in a hospital in Houston, Texas, at age 28, leaving an inspired family and country behind her. After she was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2000, she went on to be a runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant, news anchor for Venevision, author and breast cancer advocate.

Ekvall was crowned Miss Venezuela at age 17 in 2000, and the following year she was third runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico. She went on to work as a model, actress and television news anchor. She also wrote a book, Fuera de Foco ("Out of Focus"), about her struggle with cancer, which included images by photographer Roberto Mata.

Ekvalls family said in a statement Sunday that her remains were being cremated in Houston on Monday and that a service is to be held in Venezuela once her remains are returned to the country. She was married to radio producer John Fabio Bermudez and had a 2-year-old daughter.

What was most defining of the cancer struggles Ekvall sought to convey was a portrait on the books cover in which she appeared with makeup and a shaved head and images of Ekvall inside of the book of her going through chemotherapy.

She was just 17-years-old in 2000 when she received the title Miss Venezuela. Ten years later in February 2010 — at the age of 27 — she was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer during her pregnancy with her first and only child, Miranda.

Eva was forced to undergo eight months of treatment including a mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. She documented her battle with breast cancer through her book book Fuera de Foco — Spanish for “Out of Focus” — which included photographs of her throughout treatment.

Ekvalls family said in a statement Sunday that her remains were being cremated in Houston on Monday and that a service is to be held in Venezuela once her remains are returned to the country.

Pageant U: Order Direct

2011-03-29T17:04:00.002-04:00

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The Ultimate Beauty Pageant Notebook

The Ultimate Pageant Notebook:
Teen Pageant Edition

The Ultimate Pageant Notebook:
Miss Pageant Edition

The Ultimate Pageant Notebook:
Ms. Pageant Edition

The Ultimate Pageant Notebook:
Mrs. Pageant Edition

The Ultimate Kids Pageant Notebook

The Ultimate Pageant Snap Book

Free Pageant Tips: How Pageant Scores Affect the Results

2011-03-28T10:28:00.001-04:00

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.

Pageant Fun: Competing in Beauty Pageants

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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.

Free Pageant Tips: Preparing for a Pageant Interview

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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.

Free Pageant Tips: How to Choose a Pageant Platform

2011-03-28T10:06:00.001-04:00

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.

Free Pageant Tips and Expert Advice

2011-03-20T11:27:00.001-04:00

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...

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