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The Pageant
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the national pageant be televised?
The MISS USA® national pageant is typically televised in early April each year. The MISS TEEN USA® national pageant, is typically produced in August of each year, but is not always televised.
What if I raise more sponsorship money than the required sponsorship fee?
You may collect more than the required sponsorship fee. If you do collect over the required amount of the sponsorship fee, please send in the full amount to the state pageant offices, and we will reimburse back to you the difference during the check-in on the first day of the pageant. You may then use the additional money for any additional expenses you may incur during the course of your preparation and competition in the pageant.
Do I need a different gown for finals than the one I wear for preliminaries?
No. We highly recommend wearing the same gown for both preliminaries and finals. Nearly all contestants at the state pageant wear the same gown for both.
What is the "Introduction Outfit" for?
At the beginning of the show for the pageant, each contestant will be introduced to the audience during an opening number production.
Do I need a talent to compete in the state pageant?
There is no talent portion to the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageant system. There are three equally scored categories, including interview, evening gown, and swimwear.
Are there any height or weight requirements to compete in the pageant?
Absolutely not! Each contestant in our pageant is an individual and the judges are looking for body proportion and personality, not a specific body measurement.
What if I have more than 10 sponsors?
You may have as many sponsors as you wish. We do want to stress, however, that only 10 listings (limited to 75 characters per line including spaces) of sponsors can be listed in the state pageant program book and on the website next to your name. In the event that you have more than 10 sponsors, you can simply combine sponsors on a line, so long as each line does not exceed 75 characters including spaces (Example: Hy-Vee Food / Smith Shoe Repair). Or you may list them as something like: “Sponsored by the Community of _____________.”
What happens if I can't get my registration materials in before the deadlines?
Deadlines are very important to us in order to make timely program preparations. However, we realize that unexpected circumstances can arise and that the collection of sponsorship may take longer than expected. Therefore, extensions on due dates are available when needed. If you need an extension, please call or email the state pageant offices and request a new due date.
When will the semi-finalists be named?
The semi-finalists in the pageant will be named during the first portion of the pageant finals on the last day of the pageant weekend. No one will know who the semi-finalists are until that moment in the pageant finals show.
If I am not named as a semi-finalist, will I still be in the pageant finals?
Absolutely. The pageant finals will start with every contestant being introduced and all contestants will participate in the gown review, special awards, naming of the semi-finalist, musical performances, and naming of the titleholders. You will be on stage at many times during the pageant finals, even if you are not named as a semi-finalist.
Do I need to pay for my meals during pageant weekend?
No. Most all of your meals throughout the state pageant weekend are provided by the state pageant. Although all of your meals are provided, we do recommend that are prepared for any additional meals that you may want.
Do I need to pay for my hotel room during pageant weekend?
No. Your hotel room during the pageant is provided for you by the state pageant. You will be roomed with one other contestant in a room with two beds. If you choose to arrive the night before or stay the night after the pageant, your room for those nights would be at your own expense.
How many other contestants will I room with at the hotel?
Each contestant is paired with one other contestant in order to share each hotel room. Each room will have two beds, so each contestant will have their own bed. In order to be respectful to the contestant with whom you are sharing the room, only the two of you are allowed in your hotel room (no family or friends allowed at any time).
Will the photo that I sent in with my application or the photo I send in with my registration materials be returned to me?
Unfortunately, the state pageant offices must keep your application and contestant photos on record for the Miss Universe Organization, and these photos will not be able to be returned to you after the pageant. Please be sure that you are not sending us your only copy of the photo.
Who are the state pageant judges?
The state pageant judging panel consists of experienced judges from the modeling industry, entertainment industry, pageant industry, media, and the business community.
Can I make copies of the white sponsorship form?
Please make as many copies of the white Sponsor Form as needed for the appropriate number of sponsors that you secure. If you are getting individual cash donations from family and friends who do not need or want a receipt, you do not need a white Sponsor Form for each individual. Do, however, send one white Sponsor Form showing the combined amount donated by family and friends.
If my family or friends want to attend the pageant, where do they stay?
They can stay at the same hotel as you! The pageant offers a special "friends and family" rate. www.bythebay.com
How can I order professional photos or videos of the pageant?
A couple weeks prior to the state pageant weekend, you will receive an order form for both photos and videos. If you would like to purchase either of these items, you can simply fill out the form and turn it in to the official pageant photographer and videographer at the state pageant check-in on the first day of pageant weekend. In addition, you can turn in that order form anytime throughout the state pageant weekend.
Is the state pageant televised?
The state pageant is not televised, but videos of the state pageant will be available for sale during the state pageant weekend.
How do my family and friends get tickets to attend the pageant?
You will be sent tickets that you can pre-sell to your family and friends, they can purchase them online with paypal, use an order form that comes in your final packet or they can purchase tickets with cash at the pageant (please keep in mind that the show can be sold out, so it is best to have them purchase the tickets in advance from you or online‘‘). Please note that online tickets sales are not mailed, but must be picked up by the purchaser at the will call ticket table at the pageant.
Are the tickets to the pageant assigned seating?
Due to the nature of the pageant, all seating for the pageant is general admission seating. The seating is separated into two sections though, with a “Golden Ticket” section up front and general admission tickets for the rest of the venue.
What type of photo should I use for my official state pageant photo in the program book?
You will need to have a professional or semi-professional photo in black and white for the program book. This photo must be in jpeg format and emailed to us on the due date you were given in your acceptence packet.
What should I do if a sponsor gives me cash for my sponsorship fee?
If you receive cash contributions for your sponsorship fee, you may put that money into a money order or send a personal check. Please DO NOT send cash through the mail at any time. If your cash collected exceeds the sponsorship fee for the state pageant, then you do not have to send in the additional cash.
How many contestants compete at the state pageant?
The number of contestant vary from year to year, but each year approximately 20-30 contestants compete for the Miss title, and 40-60 contestant compete for the Teen title.
Can my family or friends take photos or videotape the pageant?
Your family and friends may take photos from their seats during the pageant preliminaries and pageant finals. Unfortunately, video cameras are not permitted at the pageant preliminaries and pageant finals.
What should my family and friends wear to the pageant?
We recommend anything from business casual to formalwear for the pageant preliminaries and pageant finals.
Can I wear a sarong or wrap with my swimwear?
Because the new titleholder is unable to wear a cover-up or wrap at the national pageant, we cannot allow any type of sarong or wrap during the swimwear portion of the state pageant.
When will this years contestants' photos be posted on the website?
This years contestants' photos will be posted on the state pageant website approximately three to four days prior to the state pageant.
Will my sponsors be listed on the website?
Yes. Each contestants' ten sponsor listings will be listed on the website with her photo.
Can I purchase an ad for the state pageant program book?
Yes. Once we have received your complete registration materials, you will receive from us another packet containing information on how to secure a spotlight page for yourself.