The return of class.......y or less. Which one are you?

Hello all!!!!

I know it's been quite some time since you've seen something from Pageants & Pearls and I have to be honest why.  My mom often told me growing up that when something that wasn't mandatory STOPPED BEING FUN, STOP DOING IT!  Let's just say, over the past few months - things I saw, heard and witnessed caused my beloved pageantry to no longer be FUN!  I decided to take a break and regroup, with hopes that it would once again return to it's proper place in my life ;-)

I spent many hours talking with my pageant sisters, friends and pageant business counterparts about my dilemma and they all assured me the zest I once felt would return and they were right!  I made a commitment to myself and to you, my readers, that we would publish again beginning Sept. 1st and happily, here we are.

As luck would have it, something happens that causes me to dedicate my first return post to the classy and classless, with a question - which are you!

So my dear readers, I will first tell you about a true class act!  - Suzanne Duckworth, Mrs. Mississippi America 2009!   I met this beautiful young woman during our time competing at Mrs. America in Tucson - Sept. 2009 and absolutely fell in love with her!   A true Southern belle, she has one of the biggest hearts I've ever known!

Suzanne & Deanna - Aug. 2009

She and her family were visiting our Nation's Capitol over the Labor Day Holiday.  You know, the times when you meet someone and say "if you're ever in my neck of the woods, look me up?"  Well look me up she did, not only did she call when she was close to my job so I could meet her - for a quick hug and chat - she introduced me to her beautiful family who were kind enough to let me crash their lunch to catch up with my friend.  AND, because she is so absolutely kind and thoughtful, she brought ME sweet treats on HER journey north through Hurricane Issac!

 Suzanne & Deanna - Aug. 2012

That's the beauty of pageantry!  We often say "we'll stay in touch" or "I'll come and visit" when we spend a week of more with dynamic women, but it doesn't often happen.  I am glad to say that because of this class act it did, I can't wait to see her again - next time I'll make my way to Mississippi :-)

Now for the CLASSLESS....... I won't go into much detail, but I will say this.  If YOU or anyone you know, associate with or encourage....... in any way shape or form, think it's acceptable at any point in time to BULLY a girl who decides to participate in pageantry you're a total moron.

There is NEVER any reason, for an adult to instigate or initiate a verbal, social media, text or physical confrontation with a minor, especially over a pageant.   I'll let you marinate on that....

Until next week my friends!!

Hurricanes, Sunshine and Crowns!!!!!

As you can imagine, here in the Mid-Atlantic region, we are bracing for Hurricane Irene.  After an earthquake earlier this week, no one is really looking forward to yet another "mean" act of nature. But in scouring the internet to make sure that I am all prepared - reading about what Floridians do when the threat of hurricanes arise, imagine my surprise this morning when I realized that three of the major Mrs. crowns won in this year have all gone to women from the Sunshine state :-)  Coincidence???

No seriously! Clearly something is going on down there in beautiful Florida, the sun, the water, the beaches.  Look at the list below to see the lovely beauties.

Mrs. America 2011 - April Lufriu from Tampa, crowned at the national pageant in April (the irony right?) at the Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia.

Mrs. United States 2011 - Shannon Ford of Miami/South Florida, crowned August 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mrs. Galaxy International 2012 - Kellie Lightbourn, who competed as Mrs. North America Galaxy in the pageant although she is from Florida, won her title on August 6th in Chicago, Illinois.

I wonder if another state can pick up this dynasty and run with it.  Whatever works, pageant peeps, whatever works!

Whole World in Her Hands

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Stephanie Hunt, the CEO/President of the new Ms. World International Pageant (MWI) and the reigning Ms. World International Nicole Palmer. 

I can't think of a better person than Stephanie to start a pageant of this kind.  The quintessential pageant veteran, she has captured not only the national Mrs. United States title while representing Michigan in 2007, but also the Mrs. Michigan America (2010), Mrs. Michigan Galaxy (2006) and Mrs. Michigan International (2005) titles.

 Ms. Hunt has billed this pageant system as "The Premiere Pageant for Women Over 35".   I hope you enjoy our interview........
 

How was the Ms. World International pageant developed?

Stephanie: Ms. World International was based on the concept originated by the Acclaimed TV modeling competition “She's Got the Look” for women 35 & older.  MWI is about today’s woman who is comfortable in her own shoes.  The woman who knows who she is and is not defined by labels.  We are about celebrating the Beauty, Elegance & Sophistication of today’s Mature Woman.  

 Raquel Riley, Mrs. MD America 2010 (4th from right) and finalists of "She's got the Look" - Season 2

 Editor's Note: Mrs. Maryland America (and 1st Runner-Up to Mrs. America 2010) Raquel Riley, was finalist in Season 2 of TV Land's "She's Got the Look"

Why is MWI focused on women 35 years of age and over?

Stephanie: Women of this age group are today’s movers & shakers.  MWI provides a platform to for these women to compete on the level of  sophistication and maturity that represent their station of life.  

How does this system differ from other pageant's you've competed in as an adult?  

Nicole: MWI allows me to be a mother, wife, educator, role model, and an International Beauty Queen.  The actual pageant categories allow for creativity, fun, and lets women show their flair for fashion.  My other pageant experiences were very standard, i.e.: photogenic, interview, swimsuit, and evening gown.  MWI is very out of the box with a fun flair.  Think Milan, Paris, runway, etc...

How does it feel to have been selected as the Inaugural Queen for this pageant system?  

Nicole: It feels amazing to be the Inaugural Queen for this system.  I never thought it would be me!  I am excited to represent married, single, divorced, etc... all women who are 35 years and older.  This pageant has so much in store for me as the Inaugural Queen, the delegates for the inaugural event, and the woman who is bestowed the honor of being crowned the very first Ms. World International.  I feel so honored!

 Ms. World International 2011 with the North Carolina State University mascot.

In the year to come, what will make Ms. World International stand out in pageantry?

Stephanie: Along with a prize package that rivals the top pageants in the industry, it is the only system celebrating women 35 & over!  MWI has thrown a monkey wrench in traditional pageantry by changing the rules & providing a new twist in pageant competition.

Do you think that the pageant location of Puerto Rico will deter some women from competing?

Stephanie: Absolutely not.  Puerto Rico is the Beauty Queen capital, where the pageant contestant is truly QUEEN.  The island of Puerto Rico is beautiful, and as a US commonwealth, it makes for easy travel as there are no passport requirement for US citizens. Puerto Rico adores pageants and has opened their arms wide to embrace the Ms. World International Organization.  We are drawing quite a bit of excitement over there already.       

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about competing in next year's pageant? 

Nicole: I would say that if you want a pageant where you can be yourself, share your sense of style and fun, and is unlike any other event, then MWI is the pageant for you. A trip to Puerto Rico for the live event isn't so bad either!  I would also tell them to put their thoughts of traditional pageantry aside and go with it!  Step out of the box and have some fun!  Be yourself and smile!

  

Who are some of the notable pageant names associated with Ms. World International?

•  Sheila Strassburg, award winning film Master Hair Stylist & Make-up Artits
• Dr. Ayoub Sayeg, award winning Plastic Surgeon & International pageant judge.
• Norieta Stephanos,  Owner - Crowning Closet & Pageant Fashions expert
• Judy Cole, Pageant University
• A & P Digital International, Beauty and Event videographers/photographers
• Nola Summer, PR expert
• Michelle Butler, Personal Trainer & Nutritionist
• Naomi Horne, MWI Vice President & website designer   

Is there anything else you’d like to share about the Ms. World International pageant?

Stephanie: We are truly excited and proud about what we have created here at MWI.  It has been a dream come true to be at the helm of a pageant system such as this.  I wanted to bring back the integrity of old school pageantry with a modern style & flare. 

I want to thank Stephanie and Nicole for taking time out of their busy schedules to answer my questions!  I for one am very excited to see what the Ms. World International pageant has in store for us.  With delegate selection set to begin tomorrow, March 31st - we won't have long to wait to begin noticing this pageant system nationwide.