Let's Talk About Pageants!
This will be short and sweet. Fresh off my latest pageant event, I’m sharing why pageant judging is my jam. So… Let’s talk about Beauty Pageants!
Zozibini Tunzi – Miss Universe 2020
Over the years beauty pageants have become the topic of many “pro and con” conversations. I even once denounced them, a long time ago, and then decided to give it a try. Sparing you the details of the grueling rehearsals and the large amounts of money it seemed I was pouring into the endeavor at every turn, not to mention the racism embedded in it (I’ll save that for another blog post), I wound up 2nd runner up to Miss Black Atlanta in 1983, the year I graduated college. I can honestly say, even after almost 40 years (Yep, I just said that, YIKES!!!) pageants haven’t changed much at all. After my experience, I swore I’d never do it again. Competing just wasn’t my thing. But I always knew I’d be a coach or a judge one day, because I saw so much to be gained from pageant participation. And I still get to wear a gown, so there you go!
Mentoring
I’ve been a mentor to pre-teen and teenage girls, young women and women of all ages. Many years after my trial pageant experience, I dabbled in pageant coaching, but soon realized what I called “coaching” was really mentoring. People who pageant coach are in competitions of their own, having to solidify records of wins and finalist placements to secure their credibility. I wasn’t so much concerned with my pageant girls winning the title as I was with them ultimately winning in life. I’ve always said: “I want to give you the tools you need to wear an invisible crown and reign as queen for life, not just a year.”
Why I Do It
For years there have been many spirited debates on whether or not pageants are legitimate outlets for young girls and women. Back in the day pageants were charged with objectifying women and putting too much emphasis on outward appearance. But over the years pageants evolved and this messaging faded away for the most part. Today, I’m an avid proponent of pageant participation. I think they do so much for building self-esteem and confidence, poise and presence, and training in public speaking and interviewing skills; all things that will be valuable to them as they journey on in life, becoming successful, stand-out women in whatever endeavors they pursue. Pageants are also wonderful platforms to promote camaraderie and sisterhood.
They call me The Pageant Whisperer
While I continue to mentor, I’m more of a pageant fairy Godmother, supporting the young ladies in my life as they pursue their dreams in the pageant world. I was deemed “The Pageant Whisperer” by one of my mentees back in 2015 and it stuck! Just a few of the special ladies I’ve coached, advised and/or mentored…
Monique Wilhite – Mrs. Arizona International 2014 & Arizona State Pageant Director
Me with (from left) Holly McCune – Mrs. International 2013, Kara Washington – Mrs. International 2015 (@dancingkueen4), and Monique Wilhite – Mrs. Arizona International 2014 & current Arizona State Pageant Director (@azinternationaldirector)
(From Miss Teen USA 2017) Stunningly poised and gorgeous, Paige Robinson, Miss Teen Indiana 2017 and 3rd runner up Miss Teen USA 2017 (2nd from right) and I spent a little time together brainstorming and rehearsing. (@paigeleneigh)
Chloe Hiller – Miss Arizona High School 2020 & First Runner-up Miss High School America 2020 – I loved participating in mock interviews and talent run-throughs with this beautiful pageant girl inside and out. (@teamchloeinfo)
National American Miss Pageant
I was so honored again this year, to be asked to serve as one of the overall judges for The National American Miss (better known as NAM) Arizona and Nevada State pageants over the Labor Day weekend. Of course this year was a little different from last year, given that we’re dueling it out with COVID. The organization, led by Ryan and Breanne Ewing, did a stellar job of making the event safe for all the contestants, judges, crew, audience, and all participants. Even with less people, per hotel and event guidelines, it was still a spectacular, flawlessly, socially distanced event! Memories from 2019 and 2020…
(@nambreanne, @nationalamericanmiss, @aplucknett, @queenofdiamondsaz, @mrsnevadainternational2019, #CorinaMunson, #DonnaDonati)
For the second year in a row, I had such a wonderful time fulfilling my duties and interacting with my sister judges, and would gladly submit my time again if honored to be asked back!
(@nambreanne, @nationalamericanmiss, @ashlynn_richey, @thearizonabarbie, #RebeccaPierreCharles, #DonnaDonati, #Contestant103)
Closing Argument
In the end, I think it’s good for girls to participate in at least one pageant, after which they can decide for themselves if they want to continue and do more, or chalk it up as one and done. As for me, I’ll continue to be the Pageant Whisperer upon request, and enjoy every aspect of pageant spectatorship, haha!!! :)xo
You are an amazing mentor and Chloe and I are grateful to have had your expertise in her pageant preparations. I could not have written a better blog post about the benefits of pageantry than what you have said here. It is truly a life-changing experience, especially for those who are in it for more than a banner and shiny hat. Thankful for all the time and energy you invested into my BabyLady.
Makisha, the pleasure has been all mine. In the short time since we connected, it has been amazing to watch Chloe grow into the humble and graceful young woman she is today… #imnotready, haha!!! Her future is so bright, with the world at her feet, significantly because she’s got you, Super-Pageant-Mom, guiding her! Thanks so much for your beautiful sentiments my friend :)xo
My former sister in law, the current Ms. Cheryl Johnson Stokes, competed in the Miss America Pageant in 1974 as Miss Wyoming; something I learned about shortly before she married my brother in 1980. That of course spurred me into a brief period of closely following that & other beauty pageants because back then of course no woman of color had yet won one of those things and I thought that was because the judges were clearly as blind as a bat and racist to the core.
Three years later in the Fall of 1983 as I was walking back to the AU campus from the AUC Library during the first semester of my freshman year at Morehouse College I picked up a copy of the Atlanta Journal Constitution and saw that Vanessa Williams had been crowned the first African American Miss America the previous night and I went nuts.
I went skipping & dancing, hootin’ and hollerin’ all the way back to the campus and when she made a personal appearance at Morehouse College the following month, me and every dude there literally stood on our seats and went crazy. I mean she was so radiant on that stage that even the gay brothers went bonkers and for a moment I thought President Gloster was gonna be assassinated by his wife Dr. Beulah Gloster because he was giving Ms. Williams such a thorough stare down on that stage that the Mrs, could not help but be anything but pleased.
I am still enraged to this day over the raw deal she was given by Penthouse Magazine the following Spring. Not to be crass but I saw it as just another example of white America’s exploitation & raping of black women. I remember my Dad telling me that he immediately grabbed every copy of the magazine he had purchased over the years and tossed them into the trash.
Even though I was 18 and of legal age in 1983 I was rather ambivalent about magazines of that sort but Penthouse’s decision to exploit Ms. Williams & Playboy’s decision gave me a favorable bias towards the latter in that I have never so much even glanced at a Penthouse I’ve seen since and Mrs. Williams ability to bounce back and overcome that travesty has made her a hero of mine ever since.
She’s one of those icons who will, in my opinion, always be associated with the title she once held. For instance, whenever I think of the world’s tallest building I always think of the Empire State Building. Whenever I think of the World Series I always think of the New York Yankees. Whenever I think of the Heavyweight Champion of the World I always think of Muhammad Ali, and whenever I think of Miss America or any beauty pageant for that matter, I will always think of Vanessa Williams; a trailblazing pioneer & heroine to me in every respect.
Wow, that’s a story Eric! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Miss Ingrid,
What a wonderful post! You are a very talented person and I am forever grateful for all you did for me when I was Mrs. Arizona – you helped me with my events, you did my hair and makeup for various appearanes, and you even secured a sponsorship for two dresses for me to wear during the International competition. After I became a pageant director, you agreed to serve as my Judges Chair and as a judge. You are an amazing lady!
Best,
Monique Branscomb Wilhite, Esq.
Monique, thank you so much for the opportunity to share with you during that time. I’m forever a pageant girl and a pageant fan, so any time you need me, I’m there! Thanks also for stopping by and sharing your thoughts here. It’s so appreciated :)xo
Ingrid
What can I say other than your posts are always a good read. I truly enjoy reading your posts and I see you enjoy pagents. For only beauty can asses beauty; the inner and outer. They made an excellent choice selecting you as one of the judges. I am sure you will be highly requested for 2021. Excellent as Always. “Great job”
Awww, thank you so much Teddy! And thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment. Much appreciated!