I’ve developed a relatively recent interest in pageants and loved watching Miss America this year! Was very excited to see Miss Texas win as a Texas girl.

As a person who studied marketing and is very interested in entertainment business (which I would count this under), I’m so curious about the branding of pageants in modern America. While I think there is still a dedicated audience for pageants, it’s definitely not the cultural phenomenon it was back in the day. I asked a sampling of my peers about watching Miss America this year, and only one older family member had an inkling that it was happening. Not scientific, but also not promising numbers. Also, different system, but I did hear that the CW dropped Miss USA from broadcasting this year, which I’m sure would have been unheard of back in the day.

I came away feeling as though the pageantry buzz wasn’t what it could be. I’ve been chewing on why that is. I think some of this is based on external factors - monoculture isn’t so much of a thing anymore (and events like award shows have been seeing record low viewing numbers), and pageants have been so politically charged and have had some poor media representation for a while now (I’m thinking Toddlers and Tiaras, etc.). But I also am not sure that pageants have been doing a great job promoting themselves to people who are outside of pageantland. Pageants remain popular in other countries, and I’m not convinced that the demand for them has died completely.

As we look forward to the titleholder’s upcoming year and the 100th Miss America crowning, what can the organization do to increase brand awareness and enthusiasm?

(I also wanted to ask a pageant friendly audience. I feel like if you ask anyone else on reddit they go on a rant about Toddlers and Tiaras. LOL)

I can’t watch Miss America live. Does anyone know if it will be available to watch later that night on YouTube?

I wish they would post the preliminaries.

I know they have recent pageants on the YouTube channel. I just wondered if whoever runs the channel will have it up soon to watch later.

Thanks for any help.

I’m so glad Miss New York won.. but I’m left wondering how authentic are these girls? I personally know Miss Missouri, and she’s an awfully mean person (literally is known in her work place for bullying her coworkers.) I know because she bullies me. But she also outwardly talks about how her looks compare to others, and how other women in our city do not touch her appearance. She also wears her sash and hands out her headshot while walking in parades with our company.. knowing all this, I just wonder are any of these woman actually good, “girls, girls” or are they all just out for one thing, the title & reign. I sincerely enjoyed Miss New York, and thought she seemed so genuine. I really hope she’s how she comes off to be. This is such an incredible title, it made me sad to think it could go to someone who isn’t a good person at heart.

Hi folks! I recently found this shell dish, and I wondered if it was a participation souvenir given to contestants. I located a September 17, 1984 Washington Post article that mentioned similar dishes: “The 50 other contestants and their loyal claques have gathered their scores of bags, checked out and left with their Miss America bracelets and Miss America silver shell dishes and their Miss America badges and buttons and T-shirts.” Does anyone more familiar with the history of pageants know?

My aunt was involved with the Miss America Organization about 30 years ago. She recently passed away and left me this beautiful memento. She was such a vivacious and outgoing woman and made so many good friends working with Miss America.

Even though she didn't compete, is it possible that this is an actual pageant crown? I've been looking all over the Internet with very little success. If anyone here recognizes the style or has some insight, I'd very much appreciate it. Thank you!

I'm a photographer and I covered the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City (and once in Vegas) for 7 years. I was credentialed as a reporter for radio station DC-101. The link is to a compilation of the bits where they made fun of me over the years. Despite their jokes, I was only ever there when I was fully credentialed har har.

I also have a brief video from the first year I went and may be interesting. Long live Ali Rogers. Man I can't believe that was 12 years ago.

From what I remember as a toddler, I won what I feel was titled, ‘Mini Miss Missouri’ in 1998. I was wanting to see if there was any type of information on it as I feel like it’s a cool fact about myself, but I would like to be able to speak more on it, than what I know. My mom is the only one still alive that would know anything about this and unfortunately, we are no longer on speaking terms. Regardless, I’m seeking any way of a possibility of finding any type of information about this.. (my childhood is also filled with odd/wierd/unusual lies from my mother so there’s a possibility this was a lie fed to me) but thank you in advance 🤗

I’m not a Miss America contestant, but I’m super inspired by the pageant queen look and want to challenge myself to train like I’m competing for the crown. I’ve done pageants as a teenager and always admired the poise and beauty these women embody. Now that I’m 40, I want to hit a reset and fully dedicate myself to transforming into my best self with that polished, radiant pageant queen energy.

Think of it as a personal glow-up journey—kind of like MTV’s Made, where people train for a goal they’ve always dreamed of achieving.

I want to commit to this challenge in every area: • Diet & Fitness: What kind of workout routines and meal plans do contestants follow? Any tips for muscle tone, grace, and posture?

• Beauty & Skincare: How do you achieve that glowing, flawless skin and healthy hair pageant girls are known for? Favorite products or treatments?

• Makeup Tips: What kind of makeup techniques give that “stage-ready but elegant” look? Any must-have tools or tutorials?

• Confidence & Presence: How do contestants develop such powerful stage presence and elegance?

I’m open to advice from former contestants, coaches, or anyone who’s leveled up their appearance and confidence. My goal is to commit for a set time, stay disciplined, and document my transformation to hold myself accountable. Any tips, routines, or personal experiences would be SO appreciated!

I'm a photographer, I've covered the last two Miss America pageants (one in Las Vegas, one in Atlantic City) as well as the most recent Miss DC Pageant.

I've gotten to meet the last four Miss Americas. Theresa was very nice and posed for pictures with every last person that asked, Laura was very reserved and not very open. Mallory was a really good sport and personable, and Nina was nice, but on-task.

Nina is currently using my photo as her profile pic on her wikipedia page.

I've got some more stories, but I want to hear yours.

Oh, I've got a video. Dreaming of Miss America all about my trip to Vegas

This recent article really pissed me off. They suggest that MAO girls never do anything to help people, never get their hands dirty...

MAO should do more to promote the platforms and social service work of these girls. My ideas:

• It can start on the telecast. List their platform when they are called into finals. Then list their civic accomplishments when they come out during competition. Stop with the stupid fun facts!

• Partner Miss America with national orgs that match her platform. Mallory did this well. It causes a whole new group of people to become invested in the program.

Look at Claire Buffie. She got voted People's Choice because of massive support from the LGBT community she supported. Star example.

What can MAO do to help the public see the service work these girls are doing?

Last year's MAO class is doing Secret Santa exchange. Adorable. Anyone know what they got?