Confessions of a Pageant King

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About ElleElle Hinojosa is a proud Hispanic-American entrepreneur whose journey has been defined by resilience, creativity, and purpose. She is the founder of Mention Medical, a fashion-forward medical ID brand that transforms necessity into empowerment, inspired by her own health journey. Elle has also modeled since the age of 17, building confidence, discipline, and a deep appreciation for the power of self-expression. She combines her love for storytelling with her drive for innovation, proving that challenges can be turned into platforms for impact.Deeply rooted in her heritage, Elle holds family, community, and culture at the heart of everything she does. She credits her upbringing for instilling in her a spirit of connection, humor, and the ability to bring light into any room. Whether she’s mentoring, creating, or serving her community, Elle believes in leading with kindness and authenticity, values that continue to shape both her professional and personal endeavors.In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Elle is a trained workshop facilitator with the One Love Foundation, where she educates young women on the signs of unhealthy relationships and inspires others to love better. Now as Miss Utah USA, Elle is excited to use her voice and her platform to empower others, represent her state with pride, and showcase her passion, purpose, and personality on the Miss USA stage.👉 Follow Elle on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ellehinojosaa/⏱️ Timestamps* 0:01 Intro and bio, Mention Medical, and One Love Foundation* 6:52 Finding the Miss USA evening gown with Sherri and Muzzy’s at The Gown Store* 16:18 What “Mention Medical” means and why her ID could be life-saving* 21:30 From blurry vision to two brain surgeries in six weeks, and the emotional aftermath* 37:43 Family entrepreneurial DNA, from embroidery to Star Smiles and more* 39:32 Teaching One Love workshops and a survivor’s message of strength* 47:01 Grandparents’ journey and the heritage that grounds her* 1:01:30 Final ten questions begin, favorite word “love” and the wildcard “papoose”* 1:04:50 Sounds she loves and hates, from white noise to a bee buzzing in your ear* 1:05:50 Superpower to freeze time, plus the unexpected dream job: driving a semi-truckI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you’re ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About Sanne-EsmeeSanne-Esmee Walstra is Miss Earth Netherlands 2025. Her love for nature began in childhood, spending summers camping and growing up surrounded by animals. With a grandfather who raised sheep, she learned how to shear them and even made her own clothing from their wool. These early experiences taught her the beauty of living close to nature and sparked her passion for sustainability.That passion grew into her advocacy, Earthwise Movement, a platform that inspires people to rethink the way we live by embracing slow fashion, upcycling, and mindful choices for the planet. Representing the Netherlands on the Miss Earth stage is a true honor, and her mission is to create real change for a greener and kinder future for the next generation.👉 Follow Sanne-Esmee on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sanneesmeewalstra/⏱️ Timestamps* 0:11 Crowned Miss Earth Netherlands, childhood love for nature and animals* 2:43 First pageant at 14, overcoming bullying, and finding belonging* 6:35 Mentorship from past queens, preparing wardrobe and catwalk* 12:00 Growing up in Friesland, family traditions of sheep shearing and making clothes* 14:54 Fast fashion vs slow fashion, upcycling denim into pageant outfits* 20:00 Tips for beginners: repairing, swapping, and living more sustainably* 25:13 Writing her sustainable fashion book, recycled cotton projects, future label plans* 37:17 Embracing life as an “old soul,” camping, fishing, and disconnecting from social media* 48:00 Why handmade and secondhand outfits belong on the Miss Earth stage* 1:02:28 Final reflections on advocacy, legacy, and hopes for global impactI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you’re ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribeI see it all the time.You’re putting in the hours, you’re grinding, you’re doing “practice” for interview… but you’re not actually getting better. Why? Because not all practice is created equal.Let’s talk about it.Why “Thinking Answers in Your Head” Doesn’t WorkMost contestants tell me they’ve been looking at questions, reading them, and practicing the answers silently in their head. And sure, that’s better than nothing. But let’s be real, it’s not preparing you for the pressure of a real interview.When you’re in front of judges, you don’t get to run the perfect script in your head. You’re dealing with nerves, unpredictability, and actual human interaction. If you’ve ever nailed an answer in practice but completely blanked in the room, you know exactly what I’m talking about.Closed vs Open PracticeHere’s where my background as a tennis coach comes in. In tennis, we talk about closed practice (safe, predictable, controlled) and open practice (real match conditions, full pressure).* Closed practice for pageant interview = you know the questions ahead of time, you rehearse them, you redo until you’re happy.* Open practice = mock interviews, surprise questions, maybe even a panel drilling you under pressure.Both are valuable, but if you stay in the “closed” comfort zone forever, you’ll freeze when it matters most.The Single Best Tool You Already OwnIf you take nothing else from this week’s email, take this:Get out your phone. Record yourself answering. Watch it back. Then do it again.Yes, it feels awkward at first. You’ll probably cringe at your voice, your gestures, your expressions. But that’s exactly why it works. The camera doesn’t lie. And until you actually see and hear yourself, you’re practicing blind.When you record and review, you build self-awareness. You’ll notice things no coach can fully explain to you: your tone, pacing, filler words, even nervous tics like fiddling with jewelry. That awareness is the first step to real improvement.Don’t Outsource Your ConfidenceLook, a coach can be helpful. Feedback is useful. But if the only feedback you ever get comes from someone else, you’re setting yourself up for trouble. What happens if you follow everything your coach says, and you still score low?Now you’re stuck.Instead, build your own standard of what a great interview answer looks and sounds like. That way, even if the judges don’t reward you the way you hoped, you can walk out of that room saying: “I answered authentically. I put my best foot forward.”That’s the mindset of a titleholder.Up NextOn Thursday, I’ll show you how to take this even further using AI, specifically ChatGPT’s voice mode, to simulate interviews and create unlimited practice. If you’ve been waiting for a way to make your training more real without paying for endless coaching sessions, you’ll want to see this.Until then, grab your phone, hit record, and face the truth. It might sting at first, but it will transform your interview game.Timestamps* 1:16 Why practicing answers in your head doesn’t prepare you for the real thing* 2:41 Pressure vs practice, why nerves make you underperform* 4:28 Closed vs open practice explained using tennis* 9:35 The simplest way to add pressure: record yourself on your phone* 11:44 Watching yourself back builds real self-awareness* 15:32 Danger of relying only on coach feedback without self-review* 22:22 Creating your own recipe for an authentic interview styleI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you’re ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About RebeccaRebecca West is a senior at Frostburg State University, where she proudly serves as a cheerleader and an advocate for meaningful community engagement.As the reigning Miss Maryland Volunteer, she uses her platform not just to serve, but to lead with heart and purpose. Her SERVE initiative, Forget Me Not, was inspired by her grandfather’s battle with dementia. Through this heartfelt mission, Rebecca has raised over $6,000 to support Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and their families.She creates meaningful moments by organizing interactive events in care facilities, with her favorite being tap dancing with residents in nursing homes, bringing joy, music, and movement to those who need it most.Rebecca is passionate about promoting the Miss Maryland Volunteer Organization and its commitment to service, education, and empowering young women to become leaders in their communities.👉 Follow Rebecca on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaawesst/https://www.instagram.com/missmdvol/⏱️ Timestamps* 0:20 Crowned Miss Maryland Volunteer, introduces “Forget Me Not” initiative* 6:00 First in-person Miss Maryland Volunteer pageant, bonding with contestants* 12:00 Growing up in Frostburg, family roots, and small-town pride* 18:00 Caregiving for her grandfather with dementia, becoming a certified caregiver* 24:00 Visiting her grandfather after winning, emotional family moment* 30:00 How she got into pageants, spontaneous start in high school* 36:00 Love for tap dancing, favorite styles, and preparing talent* 44:00 Sponsorships, receiving a convertible, and community partnerships* 52:00 Skills gained through pageantry, building confidence and leadership* 1:00:00 Looking ahead to nationals, preparation plans, and goals for her reignI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you’re ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribeQuick update before we get into it: The Beginner’s Guide to Pageantry is still on track for a mid-October launch. More details soon.I am also shifting the way I deliver content. Tuesdays will now focus on one clear coaching topic for everyone. Thursdays will take that same topic further for paid members with a case study, mini course, or mock interview. You will still see a free preview so you know what we are doing behind the scenes.Why blind spots cost you crownsMost contestants work hard on the areas they already shine in. Compliments and encouragement feel good, but they do not expose the problems that make judges hesitate. Every panel is looking for reasons not to pick you. If you cannot identify those reasons ahead of time, they will eliminate you when it matters most.The car-buying analogyWhen I buy a car, I look for objections first. I am tall, so the first thing I do is sit in the driver’s seat. If my head touches the roof, that car is out. Next I push the seat back to my driving position, then check the back seat. If no one can fit there, that car is out too. By the time I finish just those two checks, more than half the models have already been ruled out.Judges do the same with contestants. They are scanning for deal-breakers. It might not be written down, but it is there. Your job is to figure out what they might see as a deal-breaker for you, then either fix it or address it before they can cross your name off the list.Common blind spots that hurt contestantsFrom interviewing hundreds of titleholders, here are the blind spots I see most often:Relatability vs. resumeSome contestants have incredible achievements, but they sound more like a press release than a person. Others are wonderfully relatable but lack a track record that convinces judges they can handle the job. You need both.Time and logisticsIf you live hours from a major city or your calendar is already crammed, judges may quietly wonder if you have time to add the role of a titleholder on top. Having a plan to counter this objection matters. Think relocation, a gap year, or a clear schedule commitment.Interview presenceYou can be polished on paper and still lose ground in person. Rambling answers, filler words, monotone delivery, or looking overly scripted all chip away at your credibility. These are not fatal flaws, but they are fixable blind spots.Division mismatchTeen contestants who present as too much of a Miss, or Miss contestants who come across too casual, create doubt. Judges want someone who fits the division they are hiring for.Social credibilityScattered branding, low engagement, or a feed that feels boring raises red flags. A strong platform is not just about numbers. It is about clarity, consistency, and energy.How to expose and fix your blind spotsStart by asking one trusted person to list two or three objections they would have if they were judging you. Tell them to skip the compliments. Then repeat with someone else who sees you differently. Compare the answers and look for patterns.From there, sort the objections. Drop what you cannot control (you can’t change your height for example). Focus hard on what you can, like interview habits, tone, social presence, or logistical planning. In some cases, you may even choose to address an objection before it comes up. In sales this is called removing ammunition. Judges cannot hold something against you if you acknowledge it up front and show your solution.Why this mattersEvery contestant is “unique”. Every contestant “works hard”. What separates winners is not who has the most talent or the best gown. The goal is to remove the most objections. When you strip away the reasons to say NO, you become the obvious YES.What is nextOn Thursday I will go deeper on this topic for paid members, including how to disarm objections directly in interview. If you want your portfolio, paperwork, or socials used as a live case study, send me an email and let me know.I want your feedback* What do you think of the Tuesday/Thursday split?* What coaching topics should I cover next?* Would you volunteer your portfolio or platform for a Thursday case study?Timestamps* 3:42 Structure change announced, Tuesday for coaching, Thursday for deep dive* 5:11 Contestants impressive on paper but not relatable* 13:12 Presenting yourself as the best candidate for a 365-day job* 16:03 Buying a car analogy, judges look for objections* 20:00 Identifying and removing objections like in sales* 22:15 Example of logistics objection, living far from a major city* 26:29 Social media blind spots, low engagement or scattered feeds* 27:20 Why you should try multiple coaches to reveal different blind spotsI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About PeytonMeet Peyton Christen, your reigning Miss Georgia Volunteer!A speed painter, performer, advocate, and proud chicken lover, Peyton is honored to represent the Peach State on the Miss Volunteer America stage this June.As the founder of A4E: Art for Everyone/Employment for All, she champions job accessibility for individuals with special needs, ensuring that every person has the opportunity to thrive. Beyond her platform, Peyton is a bold advocate for young women—encouraging authenticity, even when it challenges the status quo.With creativity, compassion, and conviction at the heart of her journey, Peyton is stepping into this role ready to inspire, uplift, and leave a lasting impact.👉 Follow Peyton on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/https://www.instagram.com/missgavol/⏱️ Timestamps* 1:00 Living in the sticks with SOS phone signal* 6:00 Animal roll call: chickens (Maude, Phyllis, Loretta, Arlene, Ethel), plus horses* 8:10 Crawling through a chicken door… and meeting a snake* 11:55 From Disney performer to pageantry* 21:00 “Dreamers Like Me” coloring book and the Disney “if you can dream it” ethos* 31:20 Emotional Miss Georgia Volunteer crowning (knees give out)* 47:10 Speed painting breakdown: upside-down Sinatra piece, easel jam* 55:15 Paintbrush flies across stage; still beats the clock* 57:20 The clean Eminem track that became her hype song* 1:06:06 Final Q: “Well done”—the answer that gets her tearyI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribeMiss USA: Ownership Drama and Dates Finally DropIf you’ve been following the Miss USA saga, you know it’s been… messy. Thom Brodeur popped up saying he’s the new owner of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Meanwhile, Laylah Rose dropped a statement on the Miss USA account saying she hadn’t heard a thing.Whatever you think of Thom, he comes across as a sharp businessman. I interviewed him just a couple of weeks ago, and I can’t imagine he’d go public with ownership if he didn’t have the paperwork to back it up. And today (Sydney time), he finally gave us what everyone’s been waiting for: dates. Miss Teen USA on October 23 and Miss USA on October 24, both in Reno, Nevada. After weeks of “are we even sending someone to Miss Universe this year?”, the general mood I’ve seen online is shockingly positive - rare in pageant social media, which usually finds something to argue about.Pageantry should be about the contestants, not about directors playing celebrity. If this reset gets the spotlight back to where it belongs, that’s a win.Are We Actually Entering a New Era?Like it or not, American pageantry sets the tone for a lot of us in the Western world (Australia, the UK, Canada, New Zealand). When the U.S. systems slide (sponsors, TV coverage, general buzz), everything else shrinks too: production budgets, opportunities, and eventually participation numbers. That’s why the U.S. matters more than some people realize.Right now, I’m cautiously optimistic. Beyond Miss USA, Thom’s also working with folks he’s teamed up with before on Miss Earth USA and Miss International USA. That’s three of the Big Four (Universe, Earth, International). Not perfect, but overall a solid group. Shared know-how, better systems, more opportunities - that’s the kind of ripple effect that helps everyone.New and Revived Systems to WatchThe Miss USA drama had one unintended side effect: a bunch of disillusioned state directors quit and built something new. RPM Productions launched Miss All American and brought back Miss Teen All American. RPM’s been around forever, they have a loyal following, and their first national pageant had both Noelia Voigt and Uma Sophia show up - that’s a huge endoresement.And then there’s Miss Volunteer America, which I’ve already raved about. I’ve honestly never seen anything quite like it - think crane cameras swooping across the crowd, huge screens syncing with pre-shot contestant clips, and an audio-visual setup that just made the whole thing feel next level. Production isn’t everything, but energy matters. You want to feel fired up on stage, and your family and friends want to watch something that looks like a proper show, not some grainy livestream from a judge’s phone.For comparison: right after Volunteer America, I watched my friend Savannah Miles compete and win at Miss Georgia USA. The production was fine, but coming straight from Volunteer, the difference in scale was obvious. And I heard competitor numbers were down, which explains why Miss Georgia USA was held in Tennessee alongside Miss Tennessee USA. That dip probably wasn’t helped by all the negative press under the old Miss USA leadership. Hopefully the reset helps turn those numbers around.So add it all up: Miss USA looks like it’s stabilizing, the team also linked to Miss Earth USA and Miss International USA is a good sign, and then you’ve got fresh options like Miss All American and Miss Volunteer America generating real excitement. That’s a lot of reasons for competitors to feel hopeful.The Miss America Question MarkNow, let’s talk about Miss America. Someone asked me recently what I thought of their ballot system. I hadn’t seen that used in pageantry before, so I gave my quick take: pros and cons. What I didn’t expect was what came next. Over the last 48 hours I’ve received numerous DM requests from people I’d never talked to, sharing negative stories about their daughters’ experiences at MAO, or asking if I’d seen certain judging practices that don’t look good at all.One message stood out: they asked about coaches who work very closely with directors and hang around backstage with contestants, and whether it’s a conflict of interest when those coaches’ girls win more often. (Spoiler: yes, it’s a conflict.)To be clear, I have friends who see Miss America, not Miss USA, as their dream system. It’s one of the oldest brands in the country, and the scholarship focus genuinely works for a lot of people. Plus, I know there’s new leadership nationally. What I don’t know is whether the issues I’m hearing are a state thing, a national thing, or just baggage from the past. I’m not anti–Miss America. I’m just saying: I don’t know what’s going on there, and I want to find out.If you’ve had firsthand experience, I’d really like to hear from you.Looking Toward 2026: More Options, More OptimismI keep up with all this mostly by talking to you - through interviews and those off-camera conversations we have around them. Tomorrow I’m chatting with my first state titleholder from the Teen American system (hoping to get their national titleholder on soon too). And honestly? For the first time in a while, if someone in the U.S. asked me which pageant to enter, I’d actually have solid recommendations.I don’t think we’re headed back to the so-called “glory days” of decades past. But if you’re in the U.S. and considering competing in 2026, you might have more choice than ever. With Miss USA steadying itself, connected systems sharing resources, and newer contests putting on slick shows, I’m more optimistic than I’ve been in years.So tell me:* Are you thinking about entering in 2026?* Do you feel more optimistic about American pageantry lately, or are you waiting to sit back and see what happens?* And if you’ve got an opinion on the scoring system at Miss America, I’m all ears.Have an amazing week. 🙌Timestamps* 0:00: Intro + What’s Coming Up* 2:17: Miss USA ownership drama explained* 4:35: Thom Brodeur confirms Miss USA + Teen USA dates* 6:53: Why contestant focus matters more than directors* 9:11: Are we entering a new era of pageantry?* 11:30: RPM launches Miss All American + Teen All American* 13:47: Miss Volunteer America’s next-level production* 16:05: Comparing Volunteer America with Miss Georgia USA* 18:23: The Miss America ballot system controversy* 20:41: Looking to 2026: optimism, options, and closing thoughtsI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Normally, I’d be using Thursdays to answer questions from our paid subscribers in our weekly Q&A video. But unless you’ve been living under a rock, you no doubt have heard or read about the assassination of conservative political influencer Charlie Kirk, as well as the brutal murder of young Ukrainian woman Iryna Zarutska on a light rail service in North Carolina.By the way, if you haven’t been too active on social media in the last 48 hours, you may want to stay off it for a while, because the images and videos being passed around are horrific, haunting, and traumatizing. It’s ironic that Meta can lock me out of my own account but can’t seem to stop gruesome imagery like that from popping up in my feed.The bottom line is I’m not in the headspace to create pageant content today. Instead, I’ve been wondering why those two murders have impacted me so deeply, along with many others in the pageant community.Political inclinations aside, one thing I deeply admired about Charlie Kirk was his willingness to go into hostile environments to have constructive yet fiery debates about his political beliefs. That takes real courage. He was also a man of faith and a family man, leaving behind a wife (a former Miss Arizona USA) and two young children.Iryna Zarutska, on the other hand, fled from Ukraine and was starting a new life with her mother in the U.S. She was on her way home from her shift at a pizza shop, traveling on a light rail and minding her own business, when the man behind her leapt up and attacked her, leaving her bleeding on the floor. That man had multiple previous criminal convictions and had been released back onto the street on cashless bail. The look on her face will haunt me for the rest of my life.At this moment, I’m reminded of Cheslie Kryst’s death. For days afterward, the pageant community was awash with messages about the importance of mental health and being kind to others. However, it didn’t take long for many of those same people to start posting nasty comments on social media or gossiping behind other contestants’ backs.We humans tend to have short memories.No matter how horrific or traumatizing the situation, the question is ultimately the same: what are you going to do about it? It’s not about placing blame, it’s about being a leader and taking personal responsibility.In pageant land, there are far too many people afraid of speaking out. Most of us live in societies that believe deeply in free speech, yet we fail to realize that free speech only matters when we’re dealing with those we disagree with. We’ve become such a divided and fractured society that it sometimes feels as if one half literally hates the other half.This is not a future you or I want to live in.We need, myself included, to get better at both having the courage of our convictions and holding space for those who disagree with us. We need to be curious about other people’s beliefs, not demonize them.And above all, we need to remember that time is a gift, and we never know when ours will be up. It’s at times such as these I’m glad I believe in the afterlife, one where we’ll be reunited with our loved ones.Let’s do better. Let’s seek similarities rather than differences. Let’s humanize, not demonize. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About JosieJosie Nasekos graduated from Mississippi State University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Economics. This August, she graduated from Clemson University with her Master’s in Applied Economics and Statistics. This past July, Josie competed as Miss Clinton Volunteer in the Miss Mississippi Volunteer Pageant and was first runner-up, giving her the opportunity to compete in the National Sweetheart Pageant as Miss Mississippi Sweetheart.With 20 years of ballet training, Josie is an avid dancer and loves the opportunity that pageantry gives her to continue performing. She is also passionate about the environment and has provided education, volunteer, and recycling opportunities to thousands of Mississippians through her S.E.R.V.E. Initiative, Earth Empowered.👉 Follow Josie on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/josienasekos/https://www.instagram.com/missmississippisweetheart2025/⏱️ Timestamps* 0:00: Introducing Josie Nasekos* 1:27: Competing at the National Sweetheart Pageant* 6:12: How Josie first got into pageants* 9:53: Dancing roots in Mississippi and beyond* 12:59: Injuries, quitting ballet, and coming back stronger* 17:16: ADHD, academic struggles, and turning things around* 25:55: Study hacks and pageant interview tips* 35:39: Discovering weightlifting and healing her relationship with food* 46:58: Living with tachycardia and advocating for her health* 58:23: The Shepherd Hotel: a life-changing workplaceI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribeLet me run a crazy idea past you - one that might help us increase the chances of choosing the most suitable, best-qualified candidate for the job of pageant queen (for whatever system we’re talking about). The person best suited for the year-long job of being a title holder.The idea I couldn’t shakeBy and large, the way pageant judging is done right now is based on a very short window - one night, or over a few days if it’s a multi-day competition. Interview, gown, swimsuit, talent… we look at those phases and crown the person who nails that snapshot in time.What if we changed it so that instead of picking the contestant who performed best just on that night, we picked the contestant who is best qualified to perform the job over the entire year?Score the job, not the momentIf we’re serious about choosing the best person for the year-long job of title holder, then the scoring has to reflect qualities that actually map to that job. That means looking at a contestant’s track record and capacity rather than just a single performance. Things like:* Commitment* Professionalism* Communication* Engagement on social media* Branding and marketingTake a very specific case. You’re a director. You want your title holder to help grow your pageant business. The metric for that is simple: more people competing next year than this year.If you crown the person who happens to walk best on the night, there’s no guarantee you’ll get someone who is A) interested in helping you grow the business or B) actually has the skill set to do it. How someone walks on stage is no measure of their capacity to help you grow your pageant business.Think like a directorPut yourself in the shoes of a director and ask: What would they want from their ideal title holder? Yes, I know most of you reading this are contestants, and there’s a tendency in the industry to demonize directors, but let’s be honest, there are dodgy contestants too.So, from a director’s perspective, what qualities matter?* Someone who can help grow the business* A genuine role model: responsible, shows up on time, professional* A communicator who’s relatable yet articulate, coming across as intelligent without ostracizing people* Someone who can build rapport with a wide range of people - especially the target demographic, which in this context is likely young womenIf you think about that list, and then you look at the way most pageants are judged, the mapping simply isn’t there. It’s not surprising, then, that we often see systems crown a title holder who does absolutely nothing for the entire year.More recently, there have been several high-profile cases of title holders resigning, or directors saying they fired them, depending on who you believe. Either way, it shows a mismatch between what the system or director wanted and what the title holder wanted or was prepared to do.That’s why I believe we should be using our scoring systems to more accurately pick the best contestant for the year-long job of being a title holder.Be transparent about what actually countsI know this might sound like putting the power in the hands of the system or director, but think it through. We want systems and directors to be upfront about exactly who they want. The qualities they prioritize and the ones that don’t really matter as much.Take advocacy, for example. Some systems place a very high priority on it. Others talk a good game, but if you look at their scoring, it’s actually very low. You want to know this before you commit your blood, sweat, and tears to that system. You don’t want to prepare for months, spend the money, do the work, and then realize you never had a real chance because you weren’t what they were looking for.This happens much more often than it should: contestants prepare for an entire year, convinced it’s their dream title, only to realize they never had a chance of winning to begin with. Transparency up front helps everyone make better choices.What changing the scoring really takesBy the way, I don’t think this is particularly hard to implement. It will take a shift in mindset, because it’s a different way of scoring, and a lot of people are just against change in general. The line is usually, “Well, the way we’ve done it in the past has always worked, so we’re going to keep doing it.” I would argue it’s not working - certainly not as well as it could.Changing the scoring system, and being transparent about it, can go a long way to fixing that mismatch. But there’s another crucial part: you need to pick judges who are qualified, knowledgeable, and who care enough to implement such a scoring system.Your scoring system is only as effective as the people who are applying it.Your turnThis whole idea stuck with me because of a simple phrase I came across the other night:Pick the person who’s going to be best for the year-long job, not just someone who looks good on the night.So let me know your thoughts. How would you change scoring? Would you change it so that the contestant best suited for the job of being a title holder for that system is actually selected?Tell me what you think!Timestamps* 0:00 Intro — Why “pick for the year, not the night”* 0:24 The idea I couldn’t shake* 1:18 Score the job, not the moment* 2:42 Think like a director* 4:15 Be transparent about what counts* 5:37 What changing the scoring really takes* 6:55 Your turn & wrap-upI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About GiaGia Iwanec is a 22 year old recent graduate from Quinnipiac University with a bachelor of science in Marketing with a minor in Integrated Advertising and Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. Gia just started her career in June at ADP as an Associate District Manager/ CPA Centric Sales Representative. Gia has been competing in pageants since she was just 5 years old and her childhood dream became a reality this August as she was crowned Miss CT Volunteer. She is excited to make an impaCT throughout her year of service and "Get Into Action" with Connecticut.👉 Follow Gia on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/missctvol/https://www.instagram.com/giaiwanec_/⏱️ Timestamps* 1:00 First pageant at age five* 6:40 Seventeen years straight on stage* 10:00 “Get Into Action” and Impact CT 365* 13:30 Dancing on America’s Got Talent* 21:00 An untraditional crowning moment* 27:00 Landing three sponsors in one month* 33:00 Why connection matters more than perfection* 41:00 Preparing for Jackson with her Impact 365 vision* 46:30 Advice for contestants starting out* 51:45 A day in the life: sales job, teaching dance, and queen dutiesI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About MeghanMeghan Poore, Miss Tennessee Volunteer 2026, is a 24-year-old graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she earned her degree in marketing. As the Governor’s Spokesperson for Character Education, she will spend her year promoting the importance of respect in schools across Tennessee. Her platform, The Gift of Time, focuses on raising awareness and providing support for grieving children, helping them cope during life’s most difficult moments.👉 Follow Meghan on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/meghanpooree/https://www.instagram.com/misstnvol/CODE “MSTNVOL” for The Soap Factory⏱️ Timestamps* 0:00 — Intro & guest bio (Miss Tennessee Volunteer 2026; “Gift of Time” platform)* 1:24 — From MVA attendee to Miss Tennessee Volunteer (4th year pays off)* 2:22 — Crowning moment* 5:45 — Mindset shift across 4 years; trusting God’s timing* 7:05 — Talent segment: singer; “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (nationals planning)* 11:01 — First-week $6K for St. Jude; Governor’s spokesperson for character education; school tour date* 17:26 — Serve initiative “The Gift of Time”: personal loss story & respect message* 24:48 — Heavy conversations with grieving youth; why it motivates her to keep going* 25:53 — Social media’s impact on mental health (message to teens)* 42:53 — Pinch-me moment: Soap Factory Bronco sponsorship & local prelim weekends* 59:23 — Final “Top 10” quick-fire starts (after a makeup-staying-put hack)* 1:07:17 — “Pearly gates” question & closing thanksI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About HaleyHaley Poe is a passionate advocate, scholar, and future physician dedicated to protecting both human health and the environment. She is the founder of the Microplastic Awareness Project (MAP), an initiative focused on educating communities about the harmful effects of microplastics and driving tangible change. Through MAP, Haley organizes cleanups, promotes single-use plastic reduction, and champions legislation to safeguard our planet and its people.In Pennsylvania, Haley spearheaded House Bill 1415, which, once passed, will require annual testing for PFAS—cancer-causing chemicals found in microplastics—in local watersheds. She is also collaborating with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency on policies that would require warning labels on all plastic bottles, informing consumers of their microplastic content and associated health risks.A proud Erie, Pennsylvania native, Haley earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a pre-medical concentration and a minor in Healthcare Ethics from Gannon University. She plans to attend the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine to pursue her dream of becoming an endocrinologist, with a vision to address environmental factors that impact human health. Her work blends science, service, and advocacy—proving that meaningful change starts with knowledge and the courage to act.👉 Follow Haley on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/https://www.instagram.com/missearthusa/⏱️ Timestamps* 00:00:01 — Welcome & who Haley is (Miss Earth USA, MAP, HB 1415)* 00:02:02 — Life since the crown + “Pretty Down to Earth” behind-the-scenes* 00:12:45 — Ballet roots → back on pointe for Miss Earth talent* 00:17:19 — Managing injuries, PT, and heels stamina during pageant weeks* 00:29:35 — Endocrine 101 → Haley’s PCOS diagnosis and what it means* 00:39:06 — Mental health in medicine & pageantry; BetterHelp partnership* 00:46:13 — From advocacy to policy: working with legislators; HB 1415 status* 00:56:35 — Training playbook: 180-BPM runs, sprints, and gym routines* 01:03:42 — Preparing for stunts: fear, safety, and adaptability on set* 01:29:02 — Final reflections and sign-offI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribeI want to start with two real women I know and respect. Not theory. Not gossip. Actual results on actual stages.One is Sheridan Mortlock here in Australia. She earned the Miss Earth Air title—first runner‑up at one of the biggest internationals. That’s no consolation prize; coming from Australia, that placement was an enormous deal and—at the time—our best result at that pageant.The other is Presly Pedigo in the Miss USA system. Within weeks, she went from not placing at Miss Tennessee USA to top three at Miss South Carolina USA. Same woman. Same résumé. Different stage, different night—wildly different outcome.If those two data points don’t make you question the way we talk about judging, I don’t know what will.Two Women, Three Results: Why the Math Doesn’t Add UpSheridan’s story messes with the tidy narrative that a single result defines your ceiling. First runner‑up at an international like Miss Earth is an elite outcome by any measure, yet in a different system she didn’t replicate the same success. Presly’s back‑to‑back experiences are even starker: no placement in Tennessee, then top three in South Carolina barely two months later.What changed? Not Presly. Not in any meaningful way. But the panel, the preferences, the night, the room—they changed. That alone should tell you something: pageant judging is not a universal measuring stick. It’s a snapshot taken by a small group of humans with their own habits, blind spots, and personal scales.This is the part most people in the industry say they understand, but keep forgetting when results go up. A different panel can (and often will) produce a different outcome for the same woman. That’s not scandal; that’s statistics.The Myth of the All‑Knowing JudgeLet me say the quiet part out loud: most judges don’t really know what they’re looking for—at least not in a precise, shared, defensible way. They’re not running a calibrated rubric; they’re picking favorites (often without realizing it) and writing numbers that feel right in the moment.When I say that, I’m not accusing anyone of bad faith. I’m pointing at normal human psychology. We all carry biases—conscious and subconscious. Think about how polarizing topics like politics, climate change, and gender can be. You can sincerely believe you’re being neutral while your personal values are steering the wheel.Now add another layer: scoring scales. If you put ten judges in a room and ask, “What score does a solid-but-not-outstanding contestant deserve?” you’ll get ten different answers. Some judges live in the 7–10 range and hand out eights like Tic Tacs. Others reserve 9s for unicorns and think a 6.5 means “good.” When those numbers get averaged, the composite can reflect scale habits more than contestant quality.Totals look objective. They aren’t. They’re a mash‑up of personal sliders that no one bothered to normalize.What the Scores Don’t Show (And What Systems Claim to Want)Listen to how systems describe their ideal: We want a role model. We want an advocate. We want a brand ambassador. We want a woman who’ll do the job. Great—show me where that’s measured.If your criteria say 25% interview, 25% evening gown, 25% swim/fitness, 25% talent (or whatever your flavor is), explain to me how that rubric actually selects for the qualities you say you value. Don’t just say “we know it when we see it.” Define it. If “advocacy” matters, where is it evaluated? If “community impact” matters, where does it live on the sheet?Without that connection, judging becomes a vibe check: we end up rewarding pageant‑night performance over the year‑long job. That’s how you get whiplash outcomes like Sheridan and Presly—phenomenal women by any reasonable standard, shifted around by which slice of the job a panel unconsciously prioritized on a given night.Why ‘Totals Lie’: A Quick Reality CheckLet me give you a simple way to think about this. In school, we talk about percentiles to account for difficulty and cohort. Your raw mark doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it’s compared against everyone else’s. Pageant judging rarely does that level of normalization. We add up scores as if a 9.2 from Judge A means the same thing as a 9.2 from Judge B.It doesn’t. Judges live on different scales. Some avoid tens on principle. Some won’t go below a five because it feels “mean.” If we don’t anchor those scales or calibrate before the show, the final spreadsheet is a confidence trick: it looks scientific, but it’s mostly preference packaged as maths.None of this means pageants are “rigged.” It means they’re human. And when you accept that, your strategy changes.Stop Twisting Yourself Into a PretzelHere’s where I’m going to upset a few people: “I know what judges want” is one of the most misleading sales pitches in our industry. You’ll see coaches post win after win on Instagram, which creates the illusion of a predictive formula. But you’re only seeing the wins. You’re not seeing the many clients who didn’t place—or who placed well in one system and not at all in another. That’s survivorship bias dressed as expertise.If 90% of a panel is operating on gut and habit (and yes, I’m being blunt on purpose), contorting yourself to chase their taste is a losing game. You can spend your time and money sanding off your edges in hope that a hypothetical panel might like you more, or you can spend that energy becoming unmissable on your own terms.Pick one.Be Unmissable: Branding and Meaning Over BeigeThis is where the Taylor Swift comparison is useful. There are countless singers who can sing as well as Taylor and write songs as well as Taylor—and you’ve never heard of them. Why? Because meaning travels further than raw ability. Taylor’s brand is clear, repeatable, and emotionally legible. You know what she stands for before she opens her mouth.Translate that to pageantry. If I asked your friends or work colleagues for three words that describe you, would they say something sharp and specific—or some combo of “nice/quiet/friendly”? If it’s the latter, you’ve branded yourself beige. Beige gets lost on stage. Unmissable women get remembered even when they don’t win.That’s not a call to be fake; it’s a challenge to clarify. Define your message in plain English. Show it consistently across your socials. Live it in interview. Let your wardrobe, walk, and on‑stage answers deliver the same story. Then choose systems that actually align with that story instead of forcing yourself into a template that doesn’t fit.How I Want You to Think About ResultsWhen a result doesn’t go your way, don’t rush to burn everything down. First ask:* Did the panel’s unspoken preferences simply tilt away from what I bring?* Did the scoring emphasize pageant‑night performance over the year‑round job I’m actually built for?* Am I competing in a system that matches my strengths, or am I trying to be someone else’s idea of a winner?If you can answer those honestly, you’ll stop taking one night’s spreadsheet as a moral verdict on your worth. You’ll also become a better strategist: choosing the right stage, for the right reasons, with a brand that doesn’t rely on a perfect panel to make sense.Sheridan and Presly didn’t become better or worse women based on where they placed. The judging lens changed. And it will keep changing. Your job is to be so clear, so consistent, and so unmistakably you that when the right lens shows up, the decision is obvious.—AdrianTimestamps* 00:00 – Intro: the ugly truth about judging* 00:45 – Case study: Sheridan Mortlock & Miss Earth Air* 05:01 – Case study: Presly Pedigo (TN → SC swing)* 09:18 – Bias 101: politics, climate, gender* 11:58 – “Show me where it’s measured” (the rubric challenge)* 12:40 – Percentiles analogy: why totals lie* 19:19 – Do judges really know what they’re doing?* 22:28 – Strategy pivot: stop formula-chasing → build your brand* 23:22 – Taylor Swift lesson: meaning beats raw talent* 38:13 – Closing: maybe it’s luck—so focus on brand & deliveryI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribeQuick housekeeping: We’re in the middle of the launch for The Beginner’s Guide to Pageantry. If you want early access and daily chapter breakdowns, head to secretpageantbook.com for early access to the book and our private Facebook group.Behind the Scenes of a Post That Lit a FuseRecently I posted about the so‑called Big Four in pageantry—Universe, World, Earth, and International. When I first entered the pageant world nearly a decade ago, I had no idea what “Big Four” even meant. An Australian titleholder told me to interview more queens from the Big Four and I genuinely thought she meant giant landmarks—Big Ben, the Big Banana (yes, that absurdly large Australian banana tourists pose in front of).Who decided there are four? Should it be five? Six? Honestly—who cares. I rarely post about international pageantry because, frankly, I’m not that interested in it. I’m extremely specific about the kinds of pageants I follow and the kinds of women I want to interview and promote. International pageantry, as a whole, is not my cup of tea—and the aftermath of that post is a good example of why.The moment you mention systems like Miss Earth or Miss International, the comments section lights up with the pageant fandom. This is why I always say I’m not a pageant fan. I don’t behave the way many of these “fans” do, and I don’t condone it. I’m a fan of certain women who compete and of certain parts of pageantry—the parts that actually empower: real advocacy, genuine education, actual skill-building. The walk and the pretty gowns? Lovely, but ancillary. Feeling amazing in a dress is great; it doesn’t change the world.Under that Big Four post were the usual inane takes: slagging off a director, claiming one system is “irrelevant,” dictating what does or doesn’t count. None of it furthers the conversation. It’s just noise.What I Hear When the Cameras StopI’ve conducted 350+ interviews with contestants from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway—you name it. What you see on camera is only half the story. After the recording ends, I usually end up talking just as long—often longer—off camera. That’s when I hear the things that still can’t be said publicly. They’re taboo, and the climate around certain topics makes people reluctant to speak up.Scroll any heated post and you’ll notice a pattern: accounts with no profile photo, no content, zero followers—troll burners—lecturing others. One example: someone commented that Miss America should be mentioned among the big pageants because it’s the OG. I’ve interviewed many Miss America contestants and I love its scholarship model. Then a “pageant expert” jumped in: “Miss America isn’t international, it doesn’t count, you should know better.” That attitude is exactly the problem: gatekeeping from anonymous critics who have never stood on a stage or sat in a real interview.Why I’m Selective About SystemsI don’t name‑and‑shame, but here’s why I’m so picky. A “relevant” new pageant—one some fans insist is the only one worth entering—has left two of my friends traumatized on back‑to‑back years. One friend had previously competed at Miss World and felt she could be friends with almost everyone there. At the “relevant” pageant, she felt she could be friends with no one. Shallow. Surface. Toxic.Another friend returned from the same system the following year and used the word traumatized to describe it. Meanwhile, glossy websites and loud fan pages paint it as the second coming. This disconnect is why I keep my ear to the ground—not for gossip, but so when a client or friend asks, “What have you heard about X?” I can steer them away from landmines.On more than one occasion, someone has come to me absolutely buzzing about a system because of the marketing, only for me to share what I’ve heard firsthand: interviews used to berate contestants for more money after a sponsor fell through; promises to sponsors (like being featured in the program) that didn’t materialize until months after the pageant; contestants considering legal action.That’s why I say I’m not a “pageant fan.” I’m a fan of integrity. If a system says advocacy is its core, then advocacy must be the core—especially in interview. If it isn’t, I can’t in good conscience recommend it to anyone.Here’s what I would personally want from any system:* Integrity and transparency. If you say something matters, prove it in your scoring and in the way you run the show.* Scoring criteria upfront. Tell contestants what each component is worth.* Scores returned afterward (without a fee). This keeps judges honest and helps contestants improve.* Judging done properly. More time between contestants so judges can actually judge. (You’d be shocked at how often speed and spectacle win out over accuracy.)I’ve sat next to judges being outright horrible to five‑ and six‑year‑olds because they were on a power trip. If you truly believe your judging has integrity, you shouldn’t be afraid of accountability.Know Your Pageant Why (and Guard Your Mental Health)Here’s the practical part. Get crystal clear on what you want and what you don’t want from your pageant journey. Write a list of 5–10 for each. Then circle the musts—not the “nice‑to‑haves,” but the non‑negotiables. For me: integrity, aligned judging criteria, scoring transparency.This clarity becomes your filter when the noise ramps up. If you compete in a national‑only system and avoid the international fan machine, life is usually quieter. But if you jump into an international system, you’re stepping into the world of hot picks and fandom rankings. It gets noisy fast, and it can be awful for your mental health.When you know your musts, you can look at the chaos and say: “You do you—I don’t care about that.” You protect your energy, your focus, and your joy.Hot Picks: Why I Don’t Play That GameFans can do what they like—it’s a free world. My issue isn’t that hot‑pick pages exist; it’s how contestants engage with them.I’ve interviewed phenomenal women from countries that aren’t pageant powerhouses. They almost never get picked up by hot‑pick pages. Meanwhile, someone with a 20‑person media team and a professional videographer gets shared everywhere. What happens? The woman doing the actual advocacy and the real work feels invisible. Watching others get hyped—when you’re having to do everything by yourself—can wreck your head. If you claim to care about mental health and empowerment, why fuel a culture that makes people feel ignored?Even with my longform interviews, I still don’t feel comfortable declaring, “She should win.” An hour or two isn’t enough to truly know someone, and I haven’t interviewed every other contestant. At best, hot picks are opinions based largely on a photograph and a short bio. Let’s be honest: many picks come down to who looks prettiest in a polished headshot. That’s the opposite of what I care about—real empowerment, skill‑building, interviews, confidence that translates to real life.Here’s my ask of contestants: stop sharing hot picks. They’re a distraction. They feed the ego. If social media is part of judging, systems should clearly state what metrics count (followers? engagement?). If they’re going to consider hot picks (I’ve never seen this explicitly), they should say so. Otherwise it’s a gray area that promotes sycophancy—the “you pick me, I’ll share you” loop that helps nobody.If you think I’m being dramatic, look at pro sport. The US tennis Open is on right now in New York. You can tag a player as your pick to win; they’re not going to share it. Why? Because it's irrelevant and distracting. Thank your fans, sure—but don’t tether your focus to strangers’ predictions.The Bottom LineI’ll say it forever: I’m not a pageant fan. I’m a fan of certain women and certain aspects of pageantry—the parts that build people, not just profiles. Know your pageant why, define your musts, and use them to filter out the fandom static. Protect your mental health. Prioritize systems with integrity. And if the Big Four debate pops up again? Remember: glossy arguments don’t change lives—your choices and your standards do.Let me know your thoughts, and I’ll speak to you next week.Timestamps* 00:00 Intro & Housekeeping* 00:44 The Big Four Debate* 07:03 Why I’m Selective About Systems* 11:29 Hot Picks & Pageant Fandom* 11:54 Know Your Pageant Why* 14:07 Behind the Scenes Off-Camera* 16:45 The Bottom LineI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About KennedyMeet one of the newest crowned queens in the Volunteer America family, Kennedy Fewell, your reigning Virginia Volunteer America. She’s sitting down with us to share the heart behind her crown—opening up about her goals for the year, the national partnerships she's passionate about, and why she chose to be part of this empowering organization. From how pageantry has shaped her life to the personal and professional experiences that brought her here, Kennedy is stepping into this role with purpose, drive, and a genuine love for service. As a dedicated businesswoman and advocate, she’s ready to make an impact—and this is just the beginning.👉 Follow Kennedy on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/missvavol/https://www.instagram.com/kennedy.fewell/⏱️ Timestamps* 00:00 Intro – Kennedy Fewell crowned Miss Virginia Volunteer* 04:30 Overcoming ADHD, dyslexia & failing kindergarten* 07:50 How pageantry helped her find her voice* 13:50 Serve Initiative: More Than a First Impression* 19:20 13-year journey to the crown & emotional crowning moment* 27:30 Talent performance and her priorities for the year ahead* 33:00 Girl Scouts partnership & expanding her platform* 40:00 Entrepreneurial spirit, business goals & scholarships* 50:00 Wellness hacks, routines & Final 10 QuestionsI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About ThomThom Brodeur is an American businessman, brand builder and philanthropist. Brodeur is the founder and chief executive officer of Brodeur Beauty – a company that brings disruptive beauty brands to market and that owns the internationally renowned Reina Belleza Universo [Queen Beauty Universe] beauty competition, and award-winning BRODEUR BEAUTIES, a pageant coaching, talent management, publicity and marketing company that specializes in strategy, personal branding, styling and social media strategy for pageant queens, models, actors, and beauty influencers from all over the world. Brodeur is a founding shareholder of The Queen Beauty Network [QBN] - a streaming TV network dedicated to beauty, fashion and pageant content.Finally, Thom is also the founder and CEO of PageantFans™ - the pageant industry's first-ever creator and fan app through which Brodeur is taking aim at meeting the needs of the 700 million+ pageant fans and nearly 10 million beauty pageant contestants and queens who compete in hundreds of thousands of pageants around the world every year. PageantFans is the only app of its kind tailored to the global pageant ecosystem, combining content, community and commerce all under one digital roof.👉 Follow Thom on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/officialthombrodeur/⏱️ Timestamps* 00:00 Intro: Thom Brodeur’s background in business, beauty, and pageantry* 02:30 How a scholarship pageant changed his life and career path* 09:40 Lessons from GoDaddy and mentor Bob Parsons* 20:00 Moving into the business of pageantry & working with Chelsea Smith* 26:20 Miss Universe 2016 and realizing his true calling* 30:00 Launching Queen Beauty Universe & the Pageant Fans app* 34:30 The future of pageantry: disruption, technology & global growth* 47:00 What new directors and leaders need to know* 54:40 Why pageantry is self-care, empowerment & entrepreneurship* 01:03:30 Coaching philosophy: honesty, grace, branding & mindset* 01:06:10 Mentors, shoutouts & life lessons* 01:10:50 Final 10 Questions + closing thoughtsI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About SophiaSophia Sargent—sometimes known simply as Sophie—is a dynamic media personality and model who currently holds the title of Miss New Hampshire Volunteer 2026. She serves as an ambassador for volunteerism across the state and frequently shares her journey on social media platforms including Instagram, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.Sophia’s creative footprint extends into digital content and media. Her work has been featured in Bold Journey Magazine, and she has contributed to wellness-focused projects such as Biohack Yourself Media. She also has professional experience in modeling—signed with Tandem Models (NYC Agency) and NEMG (Mother Agent, Boston)—and has worked as an on-camera host for outlets such as NESN's Dirty Water TV, red carpet interviews, TV commercials, and entertainment segments.Beyond her media presence, Sophia is actively involved in community causes. She is partnering with the Miss Volunteer America team to support the St. Jude Walk/Run in Boston, helping raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer treatment in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.👉 Follow Sophia on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sophiesargent/https://www.instagram.com/missnhvol/http://tiktok.com/@sophiesargent19⏱️ Timestamps* 00:07:38 – Crowned early; determined to maximize her year* 00:08:13 – Discovering Pilates and the power of posture* 00:09:27 – Cold plunges, athletic family, and a Lyme diagnosis* 00:10:03 – Home sauna and daily wellness routines* 00:11:48 – Lyme disease journey: missed signs, ER visits, family struggles* 00:24:47 – Black belt, TV dreams, and breaking into modeling* 00:35:12 – Rethinking social media and virality* 00:36:05 – Content creation: filming on her phone, editing with VN app* 01:05:48 – First pageants: Miss Greater Hooksett and Miss NH (MAO)* 01:06:46 – Last-minute entry into Miss New Hampshire Volunteer* 01:07:23 – Winning the crown and feeling seen* 01:08:16 – Plans for the year: connections, MVA team, St. Jude walkI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About BrittneyBrittney Putman, Miss Ohio Volunteer 2026, is using her crown to confront one of the issues closest to her heart: substance abuse. Having witnessed its impact within her own family, Brittney is determined to break the stigma, promote prevention, and offer hope to others walking a similar path. Guided by her faith and resilience, she brings both authenticity and compassion to her reign, showing Ohio that even the hardest stories can be transformed into purpose.👉 Follow Brittney on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thebrittneyputman/https://www.instagram.com/missohvol/⏱️ Timestamps* 00:00 – Introduction and welcome* 00:36 – The surreal moment of being crowned Miss Ohio Volunteer* 04:44 – Sharing her life story and connection to substance abuse* 07:28 – How family experiences shaped her advocacy platform* 11:05 – Breaking stigma and encouraging prevention* 14:22 – Faith and resilience as the foundation of her journey* 21:57 – Balancing advocacy, school, and titleholder responsibilities* 33:18 – Meeting people affected by addiction and the impact on her mission* 50:55 – Plans to connect with teens across Ohio* 01:12:47 – Closing reflections, gratitude, and encouragementI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About ChloeChloe Campbell is the newly crowned Miss Ohio Teen Volunteer 2026. A lifelong dancer with dreams of Broadway, she brings her passion for performance and service to the Volunteer stage. Guided by faith and family, Chloe hopes to inspire others through her love of dance, her dedication to giving back, and her belief in shining light wherever she goes.👉 Follow Chloe on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chloecampbell_official/https://www.instagram.com/missohteenvol/⏱️ Timestamps* 00:00 – Introduction and welcome* 00:21 – The surreal feeling of being newly crowned* 00:56 – Life after crowning: photos, brunches, media appearances* 03:32 – How Chloe first got into pageantry* 06:07 – Walking through the pageant weekend experience* 12:19 – Talent performance and evening gown moments* 14:59 – Reflections on winning and perfectionism* 16:22 – Chloe’s lyrical dance talent and creative process* 20:33 – Dreams of Broadway and a lifelong dance career* 24:04 – Thoughts on opening number dances* 26:51 – Why simple moves can be the hardest in dance* 29:50 – Fear, family support, and learning new skills* 32:30 – Staying busy with school, dance, and cheerleading* 34:15 – Connecting with audiences through relatable dance moves* 40:33 – Closing thoughts and shoutouts to family and faithI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you're ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe