Pageant Questions

"Can people win who aren't beautiful, but are just cute?"  J.J., Texas

Answer

Absolutely, but it depends on the type of pageant.  A "cute" young woman can certainly win pageants, but it may be easier for her to compete successfully in scholarship, recognition, or talent pageants that judge many non-physical qualities.  True "beauty pageants" such as Miss USA that emphasize physical beauty might be more difficult for a cute contestant to win. Even so, a young woman who lacks classical beauty, but packages her own uniqueness in an appealing way can be more successful in competition that the traditionally beautiful candidates.

Miss Teen USA 1999, Ashley Coleman, is a great example.   While Ashley is not classically beautiful, she is adorable!  Rather than trying to change her own personal style to fit preconceived ideas about what succeeds in pageants, she presented herself as a unique teen and played up her own personal style.   Judges loved her confidence and individuality and awarded her the coveted Miss Teen USA title. 

Other examples of "cute" winners include Miss America 2000, Heather Renee French; Susan Perkins, Miss America 1978; Susan Powell, Miss America 1981, and Shawntel Smith, Miss America 1996.  So, for those of you who are "cute," our advice is - be yourself, be your best self, and go for the title!

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