Pageants Are Politics, Especially In California

Right Before The Big Show

About over a week ago, I had one of the most amazing life experiences as a participant in the Miss California USA Pageant. As a child, I always dreamed of being one of the pageant girls, but never thought I had the potential. The previous weekend as Miss Northridge, I proved myself wrong - Yes, I do have the potential! I may have not come back with the crown, but I came back with tons of memories and a bunch of new friends! It really felt like it was my Wedding Day with all the attention, love, and support I received from friends and family. Now here I am writing about the details of it all.

Let me first start by saying, if you are in pageants or particularly were in the Miss California USA one, please do not get offended. These are merely my opinions and you should not take it to heart.

I came into this pageant with many people warning me of the "politics" of it and how the winner would already be known. I also came into this pageant knowing certain people worked for celebrities (Elle Degenres for example). With these thoughts in mind, I checked into the Riveria Resort in Palm Springs, California and arrived with hope. What I saw was interesting, pageants are very cliquish, just like high school. People started to form groups: there were the newbs (A ton of other girls and I were new to things), the ones who were anti-social, and the annuals (Ones who did pageant often or this certain one at least once, twice, or more). I easily guesstimated about half of the top 15 for the pageant. When they were announced, I was not all that surprised. However, I became angry. As I walked off stage and went to the dressing room to change, I started to tear up. You might think I was tearing up because I had hoped I would be in the top 15, I did, but so did 132 other girls. Yet, I was not tearing up because of that, but because I felt there were so many other girls who deserved it more than they did. I met girls that had so much life experience and had been through so much in life and the fact they still were alive or not on the streets to me was an accomplishment. I wanted that crown badly to help people, but it was during preliminaries that I realized pageants were not for me. Miss Teen and Miss (Though extremely nice) had trouble pronouncing names of people and their cities. Not to mention the fact that one did not know where Alaska or Michigan was until they won (One of the two). It totally turned me off and made me realized that this pageant was not for me.

My Evening Gown For The Pageant

During the Live Telecast, I did not like the script written for Chris Jacobs of The Insider. I am no fan of Carrie Prejean (Except her beauty) but it was a bit childish to STILL poke fun at her, even at something as serious as the Miss California USA Pageant. But we all know it was for the ratings...

Regardless, I congratulate Nicole Johnson aka Miss Sherwood on her accomplishment on taking on the title of Miss California USA 2010. Rumor has it that she is or was dating Olympic Swimmer (Eight time Gold-Medalist) Michael Phelps. There has been talk that she was also anti-social all weekend, I cannot confirm that. Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa was also in attendance and witnesses said that he hugged a supposed top 15 Miss as well.

If you're going to be in a pageant, know that it takes a lot of practice to win - not just looks and personality. Not to mention all the money that is spent to get to that point for clothes, training, fees, et cetra. Some of the top 15 had been in there five times and still have not made it. I am not saying, do not bother with pageants if you consider doing one! All I am saying is that everything in life is politically affiliated, do not be surprised. It is a great experience, you develop confidence, make new friends, have tons of fun, and not to mention the memories you have forever. Last but not least, no one is perfect. The most beautiful girl can have a terminal illness, a physical disability, or even a obvious imperfect on her body (Acne, stretch marks, cellulite). We are all beautiful and different in our own way.

To all those potential and continuing pageant girls, I wish you the best and that you realize these important points. Best of luck to you all!

[Images via Moi]