Top 5 Pageants Myths

The pageant world is awash with rumours and comments about how they are run and what the competition is really like behind closed doors. Unfortunately there are unscrupulous people in the pageant industry that can leave a black mark on competitions.

Luckily I have never had this experience with Miss England. Ran by an incredible team headed by multiple beauty queen Angie Beasley, Miss England is a fantastic example of how all pageants should be executed. Best of all, it leads to the most prestigious of all competitions; Miss World. So please don’t tar the organisation with the same brush if you have had a bad experience elsewhere.

Here are my top 5 pageant myths and what actual reality is like, for Miss England heats and the finals anyway.

Myth 1 – Pageants are fixed

Okay, I should make it clear that I have entered Miss England regionals a fair few times, as well as a handful of other, smaller pageants from different systems. I haven’t had any experiences of fixing in any of these instances. I also honestly believe it doesn’t go on as much as people think it does.  I am a journalist day to day so I have my ear to the ground as a career choice; therefore I think I might catch wind if someone was trying to cheat me out of a sponsorship fee just to place their favourite girl in the throne regardless. A lot of the time it’s contestants that didn’t win that kick up a bit of a fuss, unfortunately, which is very sad but also proves probably why they didn’t win in the first place.

Miss Hampshire organiser Paula Langley, from Abbeyfield Films, is an incredibly honest lady, and sent through a mean average of the scores to each individual contestant in this year’s competition so each girl can see what they excelled in and what they can improve on. Also, there was a split vote this year, which means fixing wasn’t an option when you have judges having different preferred winners.

For Hampshire the organisers are also keen to pick judges that do not have ties or links to the contestants so the competition is an even level and unbiased.

Myth 2 - You have to have previously competed to stand a chance of winning

 Experience definitely helps; I am not going to lie. But that is because it builds confidence, helps with walks and interview techniques and it makes you hungry for that crown, ultimately. But beginners, and newbies to the Miss England system can do it on their first go. Just look at Carina Tyrrell, the newly crowned Miss England who after missing out on the Miss Coventry title, took Cambridgeshire, and England, by storm. Alize Lily Mounter, England’s most successful Miss England in recent years who also won the Miss World Beach Beauty award, also won Miss England on her first go, entering through the Miss Everymodel round. She had previously competed in a number of other national pageants, but rocked Miss England on her first go.

There are other examples, such as Charlotte Holmes and current Miss United Kirsty Heslewood who entered Miss England a few times before getting that winning moment. I wouldn’t say there is a pattern. Previous experience might help you get remembered, and keep you from looking like a deer in headlights the first time on stage (this was me on my first try) but if you’re good, you’re good.

The only thing I would say is certainly don’t turn up and expect to win by doing nothing. Every year try 100%. The current Miss Hampshire Charlotte Giles won her county title on her first ever go, and was in the top group for every single national award this year. She came 16th. And she placed so highly because she tried so hard in everything and never, ever gave up. Carina this year already had a guaranteed top 15 spot after winning an award but it didn’t stop her from going at it during the boot camp. Other’s might sit back and relax in that position, but she went for every win.

Myth 3 – contestants are self-involved

I have had Internet trolls accuse me of this, and it’s something I have always been really afraid of; the fact that people assume you must be totally in love with yourself to enter such a competition. Miss England is a multi-faceted competition incorporating generosity, charity work, intelligence, confidence, charisma and beauty too.

If I really loved myself I would be sat at home eating pie in my fat pants not giving a monkeys because, hey, I’m perfect right? No, I spent weeks and weeks training in the gym, raising money for good causes, promoting local events and telling people all about Miss England. I didn’t sit in interviews with radio and newspapers telling them about me, I told them about the charities and the organisation.

Miss England entrants really want to give back to where they are representing and use their title for good, such as promoting anti-bullying campaigns, or like Carla Fitzpatrick, the reigning Miss Coventry, raising awareness of Type 1 diabetes and the insulin pump.

Myth 4 – you have to wear a bikini

Maybe for other competitions you do, but Miss England revolutionised the pageant when Katrina Hodge won back in 2009.

There sometimes is a little confusion on this though. So to clear this up, Miss England does have a ‘Beach’ round as such. It is optional, and national finalists are invited to send a swimwear/beachwear snap to the head office which will be judged by an elite panel normally featuring Angie, excellent photographers, sponsors and a few ex Miss Englanders.  A top group is chosen and then invited to a beach shoot, which took place this year roughly two weeks before the competition on a luxury Triple 777 yacht in Torquay.

During the final, an extreme boot camp takes place instead of a live swimwear round on stage. This fitness camp tests endurance, muscle strength, agility, fitness and mental strength as well. Typically there are bleep tests and burpee exercises, as well as obstacle courses.

So to clarify, you don’t wear a bikini on stage, and your vital statistics are not read out either like they were in the olden days. Phew!

Myth 5 – You have to be rich

I’d love to spend trillions on sparkly dresses and a personal trainer, but I can’t. I don’t live with my parents any more and most of my wages get eaten up by rent and bills, and yes, pageants are expensive. However, you don’t need to spend a fortune on dresses, outfits and other expenses. I do a bit of bridal modelling on the side and saved half of the money from this for my journey to the finals and for my evening gown, and donated the rest to charity.

Dedicate yourself to finding a sponsor, and get to know a number of local boutique owners and beauticians who would love to get involved in your pageant journey for a cheeky discount or two. People are very generous and might surprise you. Some people are afraid of asking and branching out, and end up forking out for everything, but it is nice to share your journey with others and promote their business too. Miss England is a great platform for businesses so get your local shops and companies involved by spreading the word, instead of splashing your own cash.
There will always be people telling you not to do something, and they’ll always be people out to spread rumours about an industry that many don’t fully understand. However, I hope I have cleared up a few things about pageantry, and what Miss England does, and doesn’t, entail. Good luck!

P.S. I'll be asking the pageant community about other myths they've encountered and will write an update blog on even more myths and the realities of pageants in the UK.

You can email me privately at larissa_19_90@hotmail.co.uk to tell me about your experiences.

:)