What I Really Look For As a Pageant Judge (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

Confessions of a Pageant King

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Timestamps

* 0:00 Setting the judging context

* 3:25 Why clear judging criteria matters

* 7:33 Substance over production quality

* 15:31 Build strong communication skills

* 21:37 Focus on your best authentic self

Setting the Scene: More Than Just a Pretty Face

Today, I want to pull back the curtain on something that's often whispered about but rarely talked about openly: what really goes through a judge’s mind during a pageant. Whether you're a contestant wanting to understand how to impress the judges, or someone about to sit on a judging panel yourself, I think it’s critical to understand what judging should be — and what it sometimes, unfortunately, is.

Because here’s the truth: not all judges are created equal. And that can either make or break your pageant experience.

The Contestant’s Viewpoint: How Much Control Do You Really Have?

Most of you watching or reading this are probably contestants. You want to know what a judge is looking for because — naturally — you think that if you know what we want, you can perform better, score higher, and hopefully take home that crown.

And let me tell you right now: that's a completely logical approach. If you're working your butt off — blood, sweat, and tears style — it makes sense that you want some control over your fate. After all, no one enters a pageant hoping to lose, right?

But here’s where it gets tricky: not every judge is looking at you through the same lens.

Some judges are seasoned. They know what they’re doing. Others...well, let’s just say they have no business holding a judging sheet in their hands.

The Judge’s Side: Preparation Is Everything

I've been lucky enough to judge a few pageants myself, including twice now at the international Miss Earth competition — one of the four Grand Slam pageants, right up there with Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International.

If you’re not super familiar with Miss Earth, I don’t blame you. In the Western world, Miss Universe and Miss USA dominate the conversation. But globally? Miss Earth brings together 70, 80, sometimes even 90 countries. It's a huge deal.

And let me tell you: when you're sitting at that judging table, it's not a job you should take lightly. These contestants have poured months — if not years — of their lives into this moment. The least you can do is come prepared, with a clear idea of what you're evaluating and why.

It blows my mind that there are still cases where judges are picked not for their expertise, but because they’re Z-list celebrities that no one cares about. People who think judging a pageant just means picking the prettiest face on stage.

Spoiler alert: it's so much more than that.

When a judge isn’t prepared — when they don't understand stage presence, interview skills, advocacy, authenticity — they’re not just making a lazy decision. They're derailing someone’s dream. And that, to me, is unforgivable.

What I Actually Look For (Hint: It's Not Just Looks)

So what do I, personally, look for when I'm judging?

First and foremost, it's about the complete package. Yes, looks matter in pageantry — let's not pretend they don't. But I've seen absolutely stunning contestants crumble under the pressure of an interview because they didn't have a strong sense of who they were.

I've also seen contestants who maybe didn’t fit the stereotypical "pageant mold" absolutely blow me away with their intelligence, warmth, and authenticity.

Here's my checklist:

* Confidence — not arrogance. There’s a difference.

* Authenticity — are you trying to fit an image, or are you truly yourself?

* Purpose — do you have a cause or platform you genuinely care about?

* Preparation — have you done the work?

* Presence — when you walk into a room, do you own it in your own way?

Notice that "perfect body" or "flawless gown" isn't on that list. Because while presentation matters, it’s the person inside the gown that ultimately wins me over.

The Bigger Picture: Why Judging Needs to Change

Look, I get it. Sometimes pageants feel like they’re stuck in the past, full of outdated expectations and surface-level judgments.

But the world is changing. Audiences are demanding more. Contestants are demanding more. And judges need to rise to meet that challenge.

If you're a contestant, know this: not every judge will recognize the work you've put in. Some will overlook you because they don't know what they're doing. That's not a reflection of you — it's a reflection of them.

If you're a judge — or thinking about becoming one — please, for the love of pageantry, take it seriously. Prepare. Educate yourself. Understand that you have the power to change someone’s life — or crush their spirit — with the flick of a pen.

It’s a responsibility, not just a privilege.

Final Thoughts: It's Up To All Of Us

At the end of the day, pageantry is evolving. Slowly, maybe. Messily, definitely. But it’s evolving.

If you’re reading this, whether you're a contestant or a judge or just someone who loves this crazy beautiful world we call pageantry, I hope you remember this:

Be the reason someone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Because in a world obsessed with appearances, being the person who sees beyond the surface is a kind of superpower.

And trust me — that’s the kind of magic that crowns queens, not just at pageants, but in life.

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Pageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Join us if you're ready to go beyond the crown.

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