It is often brought to my attention that the general public does not have much in the way of pageant education. This is totally understandable... I didn't know anything about pageants until I competed for Miss Vermont USA last year! This blog post is going to help you understand WHAT the heck I am doing right now.
One BIG important fact is this: Miss USA is not the same pageant or person as Miss America. They are two completely different pageants!
This is the reigning Miss USA 2010, Rima Fakih.
See? Different crowns and different girls! I will explain more...
A History Lesson: Miss America began in 1921 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In 1952, the reigning Miss America refused to model her swimsuit. This lead the Catalina Swimwear sponsor to begin its own Miss USA and Miss Universe competition in Long Beach, California. Miss USA has been televised since 1963. Donald Trump and NBC have been co-owners of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants since 2002.
Which is Which?
Miss USA is scored as such:
- 1/3 Personality Interview: This takes place prior to the actual competition with a panel of judges. Judges can ask anything! Current events, questions about a favorite hobby, and "Why do you want to be Miss USA?" are just a few examples. The judges receive an information sheet filled out by the contestant in order to help guide questioning.
- 1/3 Swimsuit: The swimsuit competition is on-stage during both preliminary and final competitions. Scoring is based on healthy looking bodies and physical fitness, but also on confidence, poise, and presence. A girl could have a fantastic body, but she has to rock it on stage! Also, "physically fit" does not necessarily mean unhealthily skinny like a typical runway model. While most girls are quite slender, they must be toned and healthy looking as well.
- 1/3 Evening Gown: This gown portion of Miss USA also takes place on-stage during preliminary and final competitions. The scoring is not based on the gown itself, but on how well the woman wears the gown. She must appear confident, elegant, and poised. The gown should add to her beauty rather than take away from it.
- On-Stage Question: The Top 5 contestants are asked on-stage questions during the final competition. This question can be anything at all!
- Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit: 15%- much less emphasis on fitness than Miss USA
- Evening Wear: 20%
- Talent: 35%- Miss AMERICA has a 90-second talent portion.
- Private Interview: 25%
- On-Stage Question: 5%
General Differences:
- Miss America has a heavily emphasized talent competition.
- Miss America does not compete in Miss Universe.
- Miss America is a scholarship organization that awards academic scholarships to winners.
- Miss America requires a personalized platform that each contestant promotes.
- Miss America is supported by volunteers.
- Miss America is on ABC in the winter.
- Miss America emphasizes a more on business-like, traditional, modest style.
- Miss USA does not have a talent portion.
- Miss USA competes in Miss Universe.
- Miss USA is a beauty pageant that awards financial benefits and sponsors to winners.
- Miss USA promotes several platforms as a whole, with emphasis placed on breast cancer research and supporting our troops.
- Miss USA is supported by Donald Trump.
- Miss USA is on NBC in the summer.
- Miss USA emphasizes a more modern, fun, and sexy style.
Broad Similarities:
Contestants in both Miss USA and Miss America go on to become successful actresses, T.V. anchors, doctors, models, teachers, business-women, etc. Anything is possible! Competing in pageants definitely opens doors to a wide variety of opportunities by ways of networking, confidence-building, and training. Women in pageants are taught to carry themselves with poise and grace. They also receive extensive interview training and contribute as volunteers to a number of charitable organizations/events.
In summary, I am Miss Vermont USA. I will compete in the Miss USA pageant on June 19th. If I win, I will be moved to New York City and given an apartment in the Trump Towers for my year of duty as Miss USA. I will also compete in the Miss Universe pageant in Brazil on September 12th.
I hope all of this information helped! We will be talking soon.
~Lauren Carter
Very well put Lauren. As a pageant fan, I wince when some ridiculous talk show host confuses the two, like, hey, do your research.
ReplyDeleteCassie in Seattle
Lauren that was very clear! We all are cheering you on at Miss USA and then onto Miss Universe.
ReplyDeleteMy 11 year old daughter is a pageant fan and loves both pageants. Neat to hear the differences and I will have her read it :) Pageants for little girls can get a bad rap (we do natural pageants at this point not glitz). I was impressed with what you said about the benefits of being in pageants. There truly are benefits plus she has a blast! Thank you for writing this. I look forward to what else you have to say :)
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