So You Want To Be A Beauty Queen
The Talent Competition:
You do not have to stick to the traditional talents such as singing, piano playing, and dancing. Alecia Rae Masalkoski, Miss Michigan 1986, made national news and caught the judges' attention with a karate kata (martial ballet) number that included stomping through 100 pounds of broken Pepsi and Coca-Cola bottles and putting her foot through four inches of concrete --certainly a less than traditional talent presentation for a Miss America contestant.
Miss Montana 1949 galloped onto the stage at the Miss America Pageant and caused quite a stir when her horse charged off the stage into the orchestra pit (the use of animals in the live talent presentations is no longer allowed).
Polly [Peterson Bowles] judged a teen pageant in which the theme from Ice Castles was sung by a dozen contestants, some of them back to back. It was also played by two pianists. Hearing the same song repeated fourteen times in one night is a bit taxing on the judges' nerves....In addition to the theme from Ice Castles, avoid selections from Kismet, Cabaret, and Showboat, and do not use "When Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "For Once in My Life," or "You Light Up My Life."
Another stereotyped talent is baton twirling. There is a myth that all pageant contestants are baton twirlers. Actually this talent is somewhat rare. To win as a baton twirler, again you must soar above the anti-twirler bias.
Calorie-Cutting Tips:
Beware of beer, the diet destroyer.
Ignore candy vending machines that beckon to you.
Eat a dill pickle to squelch your appetite.
Concentrate on Your Leg Muscles:
Bob Barker says that it is the legs that determine the winner....Inner thighs that jiggle are point stealers. Heavy, untoned legs are especially noticeable is you are standing next to another contestant with long, shapely legs.
You Must, You Must, You Must Increase Your Bust?
Michael Grade of the British Broadcasting System asked a panel of Miss America representatives on the Phil Donahue Show, "When was the last flat-chested queen?" The fact is that there have been beauty queens in recent years who have had very little in the bust area.
Love Your Audience:
Remember that the audience is part of your pageant experience. Love that audience. Keep telling yourself how much you love them. Tell them how much you love them by your smile. This applies during the pageant, while riding in a parade as a titleholder, or walking down the street as a private citizen. Love people and your smile will sincerely show it. Show people that you love them, and they will love you back.
From Becoming A Beauty Queen, The Complete Guide, Barbara Peterson Burwell and Polly Peterson Bowles. Prentice Hall Press, 1987.
3:39:24 PM 
|
