Pageant People - News, Interviews, Pageant Tips

Carrie Prejean Expecting

2010-11-11T08:14:00.000-08:00

Carrie Prejean, model and one-time beauty queen, has announced that she is pregnant. UsWeekly reports that Prejean is excited to be three months pregnant with husband Kyle Boller's child.

"I'm due in May on my grandmother's birthday," Prejean told FOX411.com. She recently passed away, so that's very special to us."

Asked about the physical effects of pregnancy, Prejean said, "I'm trying to stay healthy, but it has been tough. I've been getting night sickness. We've started thinking about names, but we are keeping it to ourselves for right now. It has been fun looking at baby books."

2011 Rose Queen Announced

2010-10-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

The new Rose Queen of the Tournament of Roses 2011 was awarded today to 17-year-old Evanne Friedmann of La Canada High School. This National Honor Society member, former girl scout and child model will be present with her court on January 1st in Pasadena, California at the annual Tournament of Roses Parade, televised live nationwide. Miss Friedmann is the 93rd recipient of the coveted Rose Queen title.

Interview with Miss Universe 2010

2010-09-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

Jimena Navarrete, Miss Universe 2010, Speaks About Her Plans for the Crown & Beyond

For Mexican born Miss Universe, Jimena Navarrete, pageant life was ingrained in her Latin upbringing. Jimena (also spelled Ximena and pronounced “Him-eh-na”) is intent on using her new title of Miss Universe to clear up some misconceptions about her native, Mexico. We discussed the economic climate in Mexico as well as the education offered in her country. Jimena surprised me with her responses to my questions, making me aware that there is likely a considerable segment of the Mexican population that is overlooked by the American media. It is in these moments when I am reminded that our news media is somewhat filtered, as we often get just the highlights and extremes. We miss the nuances and the areas of gray that exist in other nations and cultures. It is in these shades of gray that humanity is most apparent.

Jimena Navarrete is a nutrition major at the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac in Mexico, and her strong motivation to learn about nutritional science as it pertains to health is one I can certainly relate to.

Beyond that, Jimena revealed to me that she admires a certain other beautiful world famous Latina and she enjoyed meeting rock star turned comeback kid Bret Michaels who hosted last week’s Miss Universe pageant. Jimena Navarrete also wants you to know that she doesn’t take her newfound public image too seriously. She advises that others follow suit and she touts the merits of learning to laugh at yourself.

Read the full interview...

Vanna White

2010-07-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

Former Runner-Up at Miss Georgia USA, Vanna White (far right in orange) went on to become the hostess of the popular television game show Wheel of Fortune.

Oprah Winfrey

2010-07-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

This former Miss Black Tennessee is now one of the most successful celebrity icons of all time, host of the self-titled Oprah Winfrey Show, publisher of "O" Magazine, and Academy Award winning actress.

Sarah Palin

2010-07-11T17:30:00.000-07:00

Here as Miss Wasilla 1984, the future Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin went on to become a Vice-Presidential Candidate in the 2008 Presidential Election.

Diane Sawyer

2010-07-02T12:54:00.000-07:00

Crowned America's Junior Miss 1963 as the representative of Kentucky, Diane Sawyer spent several years as the anchorwoman for ABC's Good Morning America and Primetime Live television shows.

The list of activities she provided for her first pageant win stated that she enjoyed "tennis, basketball, being a Young Republican and, when time permits, knitting". She is currently the lead primetime anchor of World News with Diane Sawyer on the ABC television network.

Beauty Pageant Calls for Entry

2010-07-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

Pageant Directors, post your calls for entry here! Post a comment to enter your pageant details. Be sure to include the date, time and place of your upcoming pageant, and contact information or a link to your website. Once approved by our site administrator, your call for entry will be added. Contestants, subscribe below to be updated whenever a new call for entry is posted to the Pageant People website and Get your Crown On! Click here to see recently added Pageant Calls for Entry

Welcome to the Pageant People website!

2010-07-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

Pageant contestants, directors, alumni and fans - get your crown on! Post your pageant calls for entry or subscribe to new posts to get the latest pageant updates. Watch pageant videos, check out our top recommended pageant products, view current casting calls, and get the scoop on pageant people in the news and making the headlines.

Pageant Links

2010-05-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

Pageant U: The Ultimate Pageant Notebook
Pageant planner, organizer, and preparation workbook from author Cherie Wimberly.

Pageant Cast!
The first podcast (internet radio show) dedicated to the people of beauty pageants! Interviews every week brought to you absolutely FREE!

The Glitzy Crown
Rhinestone crowns, tiaras, pageant bridal jewelry and accessories at wholesale prices.

Pageant Emporium
Your online guide in the Pageant World...Pageant Emporium hosts a wealth of information and resources pertaining to the pageant industry.

Pageant Prep
Pageant coaching by Erika Leigh Kruse, specializing in pageant interview training and headshot photography

Beauty Pageant Tips and Interview Questions
Win your next beauty pageant. Beauty pageant tips covering pageant questions, dresses, hairstyles, and more. Never be surprised by another pageant interview question - we give you hundreds of sample questions to practice with.

Pageant Mix Beauty Pageant Music
Pageant Mix CDs original pageant music for beauty pageant directors, modeling and pageant coaches, runway show producers, and choreographers.

The Top Stop Pageant Clothing
10 Years of designing and decoration custom pageant clothing and photo shoot clothing for beauty pageants. Come see how affordable and easy it is to score 10's!

Pageant Link
Helpful pageant information

Pageant University
Pageant Coaching by Judith Cole

Happy Cheeks Special Events
Special events website of Sharon Sampson

Pageant Mix - pageant music

2010-03-11T19:12:00.000-08:00

If you like pageants, then you'll love Pageant Mix pageant music. Both Volumes (I and II) contain a variety of songs with a wide range of tempos perfect for any pageant director to put on a full pageant production! If you are a contestant who needs some help with your pageant walk, then this pageant music is also for you. This is the first type of CD we have seen with so many great instrumental pageant songs, and pageant people love Pageant Mix! We know you will, too.

Tim Kretschmann of Pageant Cast

2009-01-08T12:53:00.000-08:00

Tim Kretschmann is a radio show host who has launched TKPN, an Internet radio network that includes a half-hour weekly program dedicated to beauty pageants called the PageantCast, found online at www.pageantcast.com. The PageantCast has recently celebrated its first anniversary, and Tim has interviewed three past Miss USAs and many other pageant titleholders. The PageantCast continues to bring in new listeners each week.

We turned the tables on Tim and asked him the questions for a change… because inquiring pageant people want to know! Here is our In the Spotlight interview with Tim Kretschmann of Pageant Cast...

PP: How did your podcast “Pageant Cast” get started?

Tim Kretschmann: For 17 years, I was the host of a Milwaukee German radio program called the "Stimmung Stunde." I would interview local German-American clubs and promote local events. One year, I was at Milwaukee's German Fest (an excellent event, I should mention--come see us sometime!) and saw Miss Milwaukee. A friend of me told me that was our local Miss German-American Societies, kind of a county fair type of pageant. I told him he was wrong and, with tape recorder in hand, proceeded to interview her and learn quite a bit about MAO.

I noticed immediately how easily the interview went--pageant participants TRAIN to interview after all! I started having young ladies from local MAO pageants on the radio show regularly to discuss their platforms...but I knew it didn't really fit the format of a German-American radio program.

Then, I discovered podcasting. With the studio I already had in the house and the phone rig I had developed for calling German recording artists for interviews--I went to work. The timing coincided nicely, as well, for a friend of mine was Miss Wisconsin (MAO) and going to Vegas so I could cover Miss America on my trip. That was very exciting!

PP: Have you ever been really nervous before an interview, and if so, with whom?

Tim Kretschmann: I'm always nervous about interviews. You never want to say the wrong thing! I will admit, though, my interviews with Shandi Finnessey, Chelsea Cooley, and Lu Parker (all past Miss USA's) were very exciting and I was a MESS before those interviews. Each of them were fantastic to me and helped put me at ease.

PP: You have a good deal of knowledge about pageants and have spoken with many titleholders. What one piece of advice would you give to aspiring beauty queens?

Tim Kretschmann: Who said I have a good deal of knowledge about pageants? I learn each week that I don't have a clue! I think the only way people really learn about pageants is by being in them--and that is a theme I hear repeatedly in the interviews. Be yourself. Prepare but don't program. Don't worry about the competition. You hear these over and over again in the interviews with successful pageant titleholders. I guess my advice would be to listen to the PageantCast each week and hear from the ladies that have achieved this success and use their advice! (Shameless plug there, but it had to be done!)

PP: Has your view of beauty pageants changed since you began airing “Pageant Cast”, and if so, in what way?

Tim Kretschmann: I'm not sure I had any real preconceptions before getting involved. The first pageant I ever went to live was an MAO local that I was also judging at! I guess my opinion has remained that this is every bit of a sport as football or baseball except when people see an aggressive competitor in this sport, they try to demean that competitor. That's just strange.

The one thing that continues to strike me is how insider pageants are. Take the Miss Wisconsin MAO system for instance. If you check their website, they give you the date of the local pageants, but not the ticket prices, location or times. Why? I think they believe "everybody" already knows. As someone that has recently become a fan, you have to, as directors, make more effort to reach spectators outside of family and friends. Go to a local football game--yes, the parents are there; but so are general "fans." Even the local high school production of "West Side Story" has just regular citizen community support behind it. If pageants are going to survive, they need to broaden this base.

Maybe I have that attitude because I became interested in pageants right when ABC pulled the plug on Miss America, but I think there is some validity there. This is not all the director's fault, either. There are only so many hours in the day. Yes, the director should have all the important information on the flyers and website--but the young ladies involved need to get the word out on the street. Contact the mayor. Talk to the police chief and fire brigade. This one is major: call the local radio stations and newspapers. Most local municipalities have small "Super Saver" type newspapers looking for good, wholesome news to fill their column space between ads for ice cream at the local grocery store. Help them fill it with photo opportunities at appearances and granting interviews. Promote attendance at your pageants! Remember to give the date, time and place whenever you mention the upcoming pageant--never be at a loss for that information. You would be surprised how many pageant competitors forget the time, in particular, of their pageant because they only know when THEY need to be there.

It's great to sell tickets to your family and friends, but get the community behind you and you have a built-in audience for your events for years to come. Trust me that I push PageantCast at folks that have no interest in pageants much harder than folks already interested in the program. That's viral marketing at its best.

By the way, I'll give all the directors a marketing tip I've used on occasion. This one is free for your readers on PageantPeople.com: if you want more, you need to listen to the show! Go to your local bookstore and find the beauty magazines that young ladies interested pageants will likely read. Particularly if you find "Supermodels Unlimited" or "Pageantry" magazines--this works great. Bring along your flyers and drop them between pages of magazine, just like those subscription cards they always have blown into the magazines. You reach your target audience and get people interested in your pageant. Can you get more targeted than that?

PP: What was the most memorable interview you’ve ever conducted, and why?

Tim Kretschmann: I have to say I've had plenty, but Shandi Finnessey was probably the most memorable because she was my first Miss USA on the show. She was absolutely lovely. We had some real time restrictions with her--we had to do the interview about two weeks before she gave up her crown. She was already being declared one of the better Miss USA's and she was just so easy to talk to.

PP: Tell us about your upcoming plans or projects.

Tim Kretschmann: One thing we are working on is some more "Conference Calls" that may include seminars or reunions. The plan is to put these on and then take portions of the calls for use on the show. We're still working out the logistics of what would work well this way and what won't.

I have a number of trips that I plan on taking this year to cover various pageants. In July, I hope to cover the Mrs., Miss and Teen International pageants again, if they will have me, in Chicago. I also hope to travel down by you guys in Orlando to see the International Galaxy Pageants. In August, I'm going to Beauties of America in Myrtle Beach--that was a highlight from last year and I really don't want to miss it.

In October, I'll be judging in Austin, TX--I'll let you guess what pageant it is!

Tim Kretschmann was the host of a Milwaukee German Radio Program, the Stimmung Stunde, for 17 years and recently retired from that volunteer position. Tim has been a volunteer and participant in many of the largest German-American organizations in the city of Milwaukee (including German Fest), and in 1995 organized a national convention in Milwaukee . In February 2000, in conjunction with his 10th Anniversary in broadcasting, Tim Kretschmann Day was proclaimed in the County and City of Milwaukee.

Most recently, Tim has launched TKPN, an Internet radio network that includes a half-hour weekly program dedicated to beauty pageants called the PageantCast. It can be found online at http://www.pageantcast.com. When Tim isn't broadcasting, he is a Senior Commodity Specialist for We Energies.

Catherine Hecker of US Beauties

2009-01-07T13:30:00.000-08:00

A former Mrs. U.S. Beauties titleholder, Catherine Hecker now serves as the Executive Director of a thriving national pageant system. We caught up with this busy mother of two, and, reminiscent of her competition days, asked her to participate in an interview with us!

PageantPeople.com is proud to present our In the Spotlight Interview with Catherine Hecker of the U.S. Beauties Pageant System...

PP: Tell us, how did you first get involved with the U.S. Beauties Pageant System and ultimately become its Executive Director?

Catherine Hecker: I first became involved with the U.S. Beauties system in 2003 as a state queen. That year I competed and placed 1st runner up! I was thrilled with my placing! And so I came back for another year. In 2004 I was crowned Mrs. U.S. Beauties. I knew that a dream had come true! From there, after passing on my title, I became a staff member by first becoming a Media Spokesperson for the system. And then earlier this year Diane offered me a great opportunity to become the Executive Director and to help with the planning for our 2009 national pageant.

PP: Has becoming a national pageant director changed your overall view of beauty pageants, and if so, in what way?

Catherine Hecker: Yes, they have changed my idea. I know how much work really does go into these pageants. There are countless hours of thought, preparation and work that go into those three days of our national pageant. Now I really do appreciate what ALL pageant directors do for their queens to ensure a good time. And as a contestant, I now do all that I can to make things run smoothly for the director, because I understand how much it makes life easier for them.

PP: What was your favorite category of competition when you were a pageant contestant, and why?

Catherine Hecker: Interview! I know that it is a scary area of competition, but it can be the most fun! It is one of the few times in our lives that we get to "brag" about our accomplishments as women!

PP: As a director, what impresses you the most about today’s pageant contestants?

Catherine Hecker: How well they are able to multi-task! These ladies have families, careers, schooling, volunteer work, and they do it all with grace and charm! I am proud to be working with such amazing ladies! The world could use more of them.

PP: What is the one best piece of advice you would give to aspiring beauty queens?

Catherine Hecker: Pageants are all about finding out who you are, and presenting that. As you are preparing for the pageant, take a step back to find out who you are, what you believe in and stand for. If you know that, then everything else will fall into place.

PP: Most pageant people have a personal platform, even the ones who aren’t competing. Do you have a platform? And if so, tell us about it.

Catherine Hecker: Yes, I do. I work with Forgotten Soldiers Outreach Program; this is a program that sends care packages around the world to men and women who are serving in our military! It is a place where you can send e-mail, send letters, care package items, or even help donate money for the shipping of these items. It is a place where anyone at any time can help show their support of our troops, regardless of political views. F.S.O. is all about raising the morale of our troops and to brighten their days while they are so far away from home. For more information about them visit http://www.forgottensoldiers.org/

PP: What has been the most memorable experience for you as the Executive Director of U.S. Beauties?

Catherine Hecker: I have become great friends with the fellow members of my staff! We now have not only the national pageant staff, but also wonderful state directors, ladies from all across the country who love pageantry. It is great to hear their stories of success. They are each doing a wonderful job, and I feel very proud and honored to work with them. I love them all.

PP: Tell us about your current or upcoming projects.

Catherine Hecker: We have just set the dates for our national pageant: July 10-12, 2009, in Illinois. The areas of competition are: Interview, High Fashion Wear, and Evening Gown. We are also holding state pageants in Idaho, Utah, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida.

Catherine Hecker was the 2004-2005 Mrs. U.S. Beauties National Queen. She currently lives in California with her husband Travis, daughter Cora, and her two puppies – Bronx and Brooklyn. Along with her title, Catherine has a Bachelors of Art degree from Utah Valley University, majoring in Integrated Studies with an emphasis on Business Leadership and American Sign Language. Catherine is currently serving on the National Board of Directors for the Forgotten Soldiers, Inc. a non-profit program aimed at providing care packages and encouragement to the men and women serving our country overseas.

For more information, please visit the US Beauties Pageant on the web at: www.usbeautiespageant.com or www.myspace.com/usbeautiespageant

2009-01-01T14:48:00.000-08:00