10 Competition & Pageant Tips
1. Entry
Almost all competitions and pageants will ask for a set of pictures being 1 face ( Head ) shot & 1 Full length shot ( top to toes) - they will NOT want you to spend out large sums on pictures. They will also require your age, date of birth, stats (chest , waist , hips measurements), and if you are under age 16 and in some cases under age 18 will require parental consent forms to be signed, along with terms an conditions of entry forms to be agreed to. |
2. How do I look ?
Most competitions are happy to see you as you are and looking natural but do make some effort clean hair, looking fresh, clean teeth, and clean clothes. For pageants usually a minimal amount of makeup is advisable before you start snapping with the camera, but for MOST model competitions they want to see you without any makeup to check out the contours of your face, like a blank canvas. If you feel too bare then just a wisp of mascara and lip balm and you will be OK. |
3. Avoid Scams
Be cautious of "Win a makeover worth £...... " style of headlines, as these are usually a company tying to flog you a very expensive photo shoot package. They used to send leaflets through every household door and a number of companies were often featured on BBC Watchdog and Rogue Traders but now the Internet saves them money an time and gets their call out to many millions of naive hopefuls.
Do also be wary of people approaching you in clubs and handing out business cards they may be scouting for genuine competitions, even on the street but always stay safe and NEVER go to a persons house, hotel room or office alone for a promised audition, photo shoot or meet them in cafes, bars, or clubs. Some competitions are held in clubs and hotels but no-one would expect you to go along when the event is not running, on your own. Be suspicious and stay safe and check it out with ALBA first. |
4. Your Conduct
Stay in control of yourself and your actions. Bad attitude, bad behaviour, bitchiness or tantrums will not be tolerated and it makes you look awful to not only the judges but to others behind the scenes and it will be noted. Be kind to others and nice things will come to you. |
5. Health & Welfare
It appears that models and celebrities are all partying 24/7 with wild lifestyles, but don't be fooled they do get their sleep. Good skin, healthy hair, clean teeth and nails are essential, nails don't have to be talons' but keep them clean and tidy. Smoking, alcohol, 24 hour or late night partying will take it's toll and damage your body. It will leave you feeling and very much looking drained plus you and your breath will not smell so good either ! So do keep a check on your lifestyle and eat lots of healthy food and drink healthy drinks too. |
6. Nerves & Stress
Don’t get worked up into a jittering mess, there is no need – relax and enjoy this experience, everyone will have a twinge of nerves, despite their calm exterior but don't let it get you into a state. Deep breathing helps and make sure you keep yourself hydrated and DO make sure you eat. |
7. Comments
If you receive comments about your look, performance or attitude from judges, listen and learn. Don’t get defensively aggressive these people are only trying to give you constructive advice to help you achieve your goals. |
8. Envy
Is an ugly thing to have or have it aimed at you, shrug it off the moment it arrives, if someone says or does something, they may be feeling inferior or threatened, so smile and be pleasant that person will just look a fool. Do NOT retaliate it will make you look bad, DO rise above it. |
9. Failure
Not everyone can win the event , if you do win or get placed as a runner up then fantastic, but be kind to your fellows that did not make it that time. If you did not win , don't take it too badly be gracious and move on to the next one, never start shouting "fix" or bad mouth the judges, think about what you did enjoy about the event, people you met friends you made. It is about the participation so don't be a diva or bad sport treat it as a learning curve and look towards the next event and if at all, take some time out to consider how you can improve. |
10. Have a Go
You have to be in it to win it - so DO have a go and have fun! |
Watch out for bogus competion scams - see our advice here
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Alba recommended Competitions and Pageants |
Since 1995, albamodel.info has pioneered to improve standards within the modelling industry overall, thus we will only promote fair, ethical modelling contests and beauty pageants. We do not take payment to recommend any of the contests or pageants.
Our aim to give those that wish to enter model competition or pageants, guidance on those which have a proven track record so they can make an informed choice about the contests they may wish to enter may not if they do not meet our seal of approval.
The difference between Modelling competitions & Beauty pageants -
Modelling competitions are totally different to a pageant as they will usually be to promote a company, Magazine, event, product or even a Model agency so they do not usually charge a fee to enter or to get through to the into the semi-final events as they have a budget to self promote / or they have a company sponsoring the competition to access the entries in one way or another either by promoting or advertising their company goods or services. Usually the prize will not have much cash value, perhaps spending vouchers and products from the sponsors such as makeup, hair care and clothing but the most valuable of the prizes will be to get taken on or given a contract with a model agency or the opportunity to appear on a cover of a magazine and kick start a modelling career.
Most are height and age restrictive and targeted to a specific age range such as the Sugarscape competition aimed at teenagers. Others like the Cosmo girl competition are designed to find a girl that has made an ethical difference or achieved great goals to be awarded a cover shoot for the magazine. There should be NO fee to enter such competitions and We suggest you stick to those that are ALBA recommended competitions
Beauty Pageants are a bit like a hobby - you either love them or you hate them, it is very much different to a modelling competition as teenage girls and ladies that enter may not even want to go into modelling or would not meet the age and height criteria. So pageants are more of a fun event. but is still very competitive as prizes are usually a set amount of cash, clothing, and products along with holidays plus a crown, sash and a title to keep for a whole year, with certain duties as the title holder. Most pageants do not charge a fee to actually enter, but will charge a fee once contestants are narrowed down to the semi-finals, fees vary from £95 to £600 but most pageants try to ensure their semi-finalists find a company or business to sponsor for this fee.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Modelling Competitions • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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 GMTV search for a model
Status : Now Closed
Aged 16 to 24 and only for ladies over 5 ft 8ins tall. Prizes are to win a contract with Independent Model Management plus other prizes.
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UK Glamour Girl of the Year
Status : Voting Finished - Semi-Finals Soon!
This competition is run by ALBA as a fun event which aims to raise funds for charity from the sale of the PIN UP calendar in a classic Hollywood GLAMOUR style which will go on sale through outlets Nationally towards the end of 2009 with our winner and her 11 runners up as the models.
FREE to enter if you are :-
- Over age 18 and married / divorced with no upper age limit
- You can have children
- you can be over size 16
- You have worked in glamour
- You have a past history & want to move on
website: www.glamourgirloftheyear.org
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 Boardmaster Babe
Status : awaiting
If you're after a career in glamour, then this may be one for you. Prizes plus the winner appears on the front cover of Nuts Magazine, and so long as you are happy to get out there and walk the walk at the Boardmasters in Newquay during the summer months, and be on the cover of lads mags, then have a go. Not for the feint hearted, and not for those wanting a catwalk or TV presenting career but this gives girls with a desire to get into Glamour modelling an opportunity, rather than the high fashion end of modelling. Top glamour models like Sophie Howard have been discovered in these style and type of competitions, run by Lads mags and gone on to undertake a very sucessful Glamour Career.
(no competition details yet) |
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Beauty Pageants • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
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 Miss British Isles & Miss Teen British Isles
Status : open
Well worth entering if you're just starting out and want to gain some useful experience on the UK pageant circuit. Semi-final entry fee is £100, with a free photo shoot if you get through to the final, well presented and run with a good track record.
Contestants and winners that have started here go on to other pageants usually with positive results and past winners have won other UK and worldwide and pageants got modelling work out of winning this title. Great cash prizes a European holiday, a model portfolio, clothing, a personal website, and introduction to ALBA recommended modelling agencies. You are not tied onto an exclusive contract with this title and so that means you can go on into other UK pageants without restriction.
Miss British Isles was the first to bring in a teenage title which is ideal for those wanting to gain experience and confidence to start out on the pageant circuit.
Miss British Isles www.missbritishisles.com
Current Winner: Nicola Moriarty
International Contest: coming soon for 2009 |
 Miss Beauty Queen
Status : semi-finals running
First held in 2008, there is also a Teen section of this pageant, which is good news for those younger entrants starting on the pageant circuit. The competition culminates in the national final for selection of a UK candidate to attend Miss International and Miss Teen International in Chicago - what a trip ! The entry ages are 13- 18 and 19 to 29, so more mature contestants who narrowly miss out in other UK pageants still get to shine. The winners of each section have gone on to win other pageants in the UK and worldwide and again you are not tied onto an exclusive contract with this title and so that means you can go on into other UK pageants without restriction entry fee £95
Miss Beauty Queen: www.miss-beautyqueen.com
Current Winner: Miss - Jamie Lee
Teen winner - Amy Jackson
International Contest: Miss International & Miss Teen International
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 Miss England
Status : Entry open until 31st May in year of entry
With a new user friendly website for 2008, a pageant with lots of back ground history. FREE ENTRY - Audition fee of £20 may be payable in some regional competitions. Enter online or by post to MISS ENGLAND COMPETITION PO Box 190 Leicester LE2 8ZN
Age range 17–24, contestants gain maximum publicity from being in the regional competitions as well as national final. Prizes £5000 cash, plus a good selection of sponsored prizes which include: a holiday for two, gym membership, teeth whitening, and a wardrobe for Miss World. Contestants for 2008 were interesting an ex - army servicewoman and 1st runner up Chloe was a size 16 one of the first to make the Miss England final. For many ladies the all important prize is it's the only qualifying contest in ENGLAND that qualifies for renowned Miss World contest which has a top prize of $100,000.
Web site : www.missengland.info,www.missenglandwinner2008.co.uk
2008 Winner: Laura Coleman
International Contest: Miss World
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 Miss Hawaiian Tropic
Status : Entry open until March 20th
Miss Hawaiian Tropic UK finals which will be held for it's 5th year at the "Collection" Chelsea Road, London on April 9th & 10th
Open to females ages 18 - 34.
The Hawaiian Tropic event, has been running for over 20 years and is one big feather in your cap ladies. There is no entry fee for the contestants however, spaces are limited so the judges will be very selective.
All contestants must compete at the event on both nights April 9th & 10th as the scores from both nights are combined. Additionally, each contestant will be given a swimsuit to keep & to compete in by our sponsor Jetedone' swimwear. Contestants must submit head shot and swimsuit photos along with a short bio, measurements and contact information to uk@hawaiiantropicmodels.com
Contestant applications must be submitted in by March 20th.
Web site : www.hawaiiantropicmodels.com
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 Miss Scotland
Status : open
With £10,000 top prize money, Miss Scotland is worth entering for all you lovely lassies. The Scottish Sun has promoted Miss Scotland contest for a number of years, and winners become Scottish celebrities. Age is 17–24, Miss Scotland is an excellent and exciting way to start off a modelling career. Apart from the prize money the winner goes on into Miss World.
Web site www.scottish-sun.co.uk/missscotland
Winner: Stephanie Williams
International Contest: Miss World
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 UK Model of the Year
Status : Entry closed
UK model of the Year contest, is run by the organisers of Miss British Isles, entry fee : £100 and it attracts a lot of girls that have won titles from other pageants. The Winners do go on to get modelling work from this title.
Web site : www.ukmodeloftheyear.com
Winner: Amanda Ball
International Contest: coming soon
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 Miss UK Universe
The organisers behind the Miss Wales pageant ran and hosted the first Miss Universe UK national final in 2008, with good prizes. and a series of ambassadorial overseas visits with their chosen charity. The organisers run a model agency and so winners will be represented and may obtain a modelling career or a foot on the ladder in TV and you are under an exclusive contract with this competition.
Web site www.missuniverseuk.co.uk
Current Winner: Lisa Lazarus
International Contest: Miss Universe
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 Miss Wales
Status : Entry open
A pageant with lots of back ground history. Age range 17–24, contestants gain maximum publicity from being in the national final.
Prizes of cash, plus a good selection of sponsored prizes. Contestants have a history of winning this title and moving into successful careers in modelling and TV. Plus the all important prize is the winner goes into Miss World.
Miss Wales www.misswales.co.uk
Winner: Chloe-Beth Morgan
International Contest Miss World
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 Miss World
Age range 17–24, contestants achieve major publicity from qualifying for this title through Miss England, Miss Wales, Miss Scotland and Miss Ireland. Top prize $100,000, plus a good selection of sponsored prizes. Girls that achieve and win this coveted crown and title go on to do great things with their lives both personally and as an ambassador for their country and the title. This is every girl that does pageants dream title. The competition this year will be held in Johannesburg and that in itself will be a trip of a lifetime.
web site : www.Missworld.com
Winner : Ksenia Sukhinova
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 Miss Northern Ireland
Status : Entry open
Another pageant that gets the winner into the coveted Miss World pageant.
Contestants should be no less that age 17 and not over age 24 by 31st December of each year of the contest. Not open to ladies that are married or have had children.
The winner will be contracted exclusively to the contest name and all contestants must have been born in Ireland or lived for 5 consecutive years in residency. Applicants should contact the relevant venues where heats are being held throughout April to the end of May and arrange details with them directly see the web site, or to apply send a photograph immediately to;
Rushmere Shopping Centre
Miss Northern Ireland Contest
381 Beersbridge Road
Belfast
BT5 5DT
Several contestants may be selected for direct entry into specific heats.
Photographs for application cannot be returned. For further information, telephone; Alison Campbell: (028) 9080 9809
website: www.missnorthernireland.co.uk
Current Winner: Judith Wilson
International Contest Miss World |
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