How to Manage Interview Nerves

Learn to Manage Nervousness in Pageant Interviews

Like competing in the Olympics, facing a panel of celebrity pageant judges whose scores on your “performance” could change the course of your life is an understandably nerve-wracking experience. It’s a one-shot deal and you’ve got minutes to win the panel over. Indeed, not being nervous would be the real surprise.

The pressures of upper-level pageant competition can be especially tough on contestants’ confidence. “It can be every intense,” says Debbie Bryant-Berge, a former Miss America and past Miss America telecast commentator. “A lot of people go into pageants and they are so tense because they want to do well, but they’re so nervous that it affects their performance.”

The most effective way to conquer such point-losing jitters is to prepare beforehand. “In the interview, when you see five or ten judges lined up against the other side of the table and you’re sitting there by yourself – the situation is intimidating,” says Christi Taunton, a former Miss Arkansas. “But if you are prepared when you get there, you really shouldn’t have much of a problem with nervousness. I think preparedness is the greatest thing you can do to block the nerves.”

Keep in mind that judges are real people. Like anybody else, they work long hours, get the flu, and have car trouble. “The girls need to realize that judges are people who put their shoes on every morning and brush their teeth just like they do,” says Jeff Bell, a longtime local pageant director. “I think that helps the girls feel more relaxed.” And if all the above doesn’t help, he suggests this unique strategy: “Picture them in their underwear!”

So when you’re hit with the shakes, sweaty palms, and rapid breathing, remember to relax and treat the judges as regular folks. “We have as much stress as we put on ourselves,” asserts Lee Beaman, Miss North Carolina 1988. “It’s a matter of keeping the interview in perspective. It’s just a conversation with people. They mess up and make mistakes, they’re not perfect, and they know that we’re not. This will be your one moment in the spotlight. Why be nervous? Let it be fun! If you have your mental attitude right, it’s usually not too stressful.”

Need Pageant Question Examples?

Pageant Questions – Samples – page 1
Pageant Questions – Samples – page 2
Pageant Questions – Samples – page 3

Wonder what judges might ask in a pageant interview? The following questions are taken from actual judges’ interviews and on-stage question-answer segments. If you want to download the entire collection of questions for pageant interviews and onstage questions, click here.

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