Confessions of a Pageant King

The Beginner's Guide to Pageantry - Everything You Need to Compete in Your First Pageant With Confidence... Even If You’re Starting From Zero:👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0645070327--In this week’s video, I talked about a phenomenon I’ve been noticing more and more in pageantry over the last decade: crown inflation.Ten years ago, it would’ve been unthinkable for a single state pageant to crown five separate titleholders in one night.Today, it’s becoming normal.More systems. More appointed titles. More international crowns.But if the industry is shrinking… why are there suddenly more titles than ever?And perhaps more importantly:If everyone can win a crown, what actually still holds value?In this video, I break down:* What “crown inflation” is* Why I think it’s happening and* Why contestants need to become more selective than ever about the systems they enterUntil next week.Adrian.--Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 https://pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

The Beginner's Guide to Pageantry - Everything You Need to Compete in Your First Pageant With Confidence... Even If You’re Starting From Zero:👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0645070327Must be pageant paperwork season.Recently, I’ve been getting so many requests from my private coaching clients asking me to take a look at their paperwork, I think they’ve all started blending into one.(Quick note: there’s a noticeable trend toward using introduction videos or sizzle reels to either complement or replace traditional pageant paperwork. The 3 Edicts we’re discussing here apply to both a video script and the more traditional paperwork.)Before you start working on any aspect of your pageant preparation or ask any external party for feedback, it’s a good idea to remind yourself of what your end goal is.The simplest example is the talent section.Many of you fall into the trap of thinking that the end goal of talent is to perform flawlessly, whereas I would argue that a better goal would be to get a standing ovation. The former is based on your need for perfection. The latter is based on forming an emotional connection with the audience.The former doesn’t affect your score. The latter very much does.In a similar vein, many of you think the goal of your paperwork or your introductory video is to impress. You cram in as many qualifications, achievements, miles travelled, dollars raised, and appearances made as possible into the meager word limit you’re allowed.Let me give you a different possibility.The goal of your paperwork should be to control your interview.Specifically, you know your paperwork is doing its job properly when you get asked the perfect questions in interview. That doesn’t mean you get asked easy questions by the way, it means that you get asked the perfect setup questions to show the judges why you’re their absolute best pick to be the next titleholder.Without further ado, here are The 3 Edicts of great pageant paperwork:* Only include things you’re excited to talk about.* Remove everything you’re NOT excited to talk about.* If there’s anything you DO want to talk about that’s not currently on your paperwork, find a way to include it!Most of you already have great paperwork that’s free from spelling and grammatical errors. That won’t win you a damn thing.But if you make just a few minor tweaks based on The 3 Edicts, you just might be surprised at how well your next interview goes, and that could win you the whole shebang.Until next week.Adrian.Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 https://pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 ABOUT LAUREN SALIMBENELauren Salimbene is the reigning Miss Volunteer America 2026, recognized for her commitment to service, leadership, and academic excellence. A former Miss Utah Volunteer, she earned over $50,000 in scholarships on her way to the national title.She is a 4.0 student double majoring in finance and accounting at Westminster University and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, earning the Utah Seal of Biliteracy. A lifelong dancer with over 18 years of experience, in which she has also earned multiple state and national titles.During her year of service, Lauren has traveled over 80,000 miles as a national brand ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Salvation Army, while coaching with the Special Olympics and sharing her message: “movement has no limits; neither do you.”👉 FOLLOW LAUREN SALIMBENE* https://www.instagram.com/laurensalimbene/* https://www.instagram.com/missvolunteeramericapag/Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 https://pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

The Beginner’s Guide to Pageantry - Everything You Need to Compete in Your First Pageant With Confidence... Even If You’re Starting From Zero:👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0645070327--I’m heading to Miss Universe USA!If you’re going to be there, or if you have any recommendations for things to do whilst in Miami, send me a DM or email and let me know!The real moral of the story though can be summed up in one word.Persistence.When I started this journey a decade ago, I had no idea it would lead me here.More importantly, pageantry is just like life. It has its shares of ups and downs. And sometimes, when you feel like you do things for the ‘right reasons’, it can be easy to feel discouraged at times.I feel you on that one.Here are three things that I think have helped me:* Persistence* Purpose (knowing my why)* Doing things for the right reasons (even when it’s tough)Maybe, occasionally, delulu really can be the solulu.Adrian.--Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 https://pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe--Looking for advice as a newcomer to pageants? We got you covered in this episode!--Pageants & Tangents is an irreverential and honest take on modern-day pageantry, hosted by Adrian Kwan, Founder of The Pageant Project (https://thepageantproject.com).Got a pageant issue or question you want us to discuss? Submit it here:👉 https://pageantpod.comOUR CO-HOSTS:Morgan Morgan:* https://www.instagram.com/morganmorganbonafide/* https://www.morganmorganfitness.com/Peyton Christen:* https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/* https://www.instagram.com/missgavol/Haley Poe:* https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/* https://www.youtube.com/@haleygracepoeFor all media and sponsorship enquiries:👉 [email protected] to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 https://pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/subscribeHow do you stay mentally healthy, confident, and resilient before the pageant, during the pageant, AND after the pageant?--Pageants & Tangents is an irreverential and honest take on modern-day pageantry, hosted by Adrian Kwan, Founder of The Pageant Project (https://thepageantproject.com).Got a pageant issue or question you want us to discuss? Submit it here:👉 https://pageantpod.comOUR CO-HOSTS:Morgan Morgan:* https://www.instagram.com/morganmorganbonafide/* https://www.morganmorganfitness.com/Peyton Christen:* https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/* https://www.instagram.com/missgavol/Haley Poe:* https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/* https://www.youtube.com/@haleygracepoeSPECIAL GUEST CO-HOST:Elleana Garcia:* https://www.instagram.com/ellleanaa/For all media and sponsorship enquiries:👉 [email protected] to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 https://pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe--Not all pageants are built the same. So how do you find your perfect pageant soulmate?--Pageants & Tangents is an irreverential and honest take on modern-day pageantry, hosted by Adrian Kwan, Founder of The Pageant Project.Got a pageant issue or question you want us to discuss? Submit it here:👉 https://pageantpod.comOUR CO-HOSTS:Morgan Morgan:* https://www.instagram.com/morganmorganbonafide/* https://www.morganmorganfitness.com/Peyton Christen:* https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/* https://www.instagram.com/missgavol/Haley Poe:* https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/* https://www.youtube.com/@haleygracepoeFor all media and sponsorship enquiries:👉 [email protected] to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 https://pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 https://pageantmock.com--This week, I had a breakthrough with one of my private clients that completely changed the way she’s preparing for her upcoming pageant.Like a lot of contestants, she had a simple to-do list.One of the items said:Practice piano.Nothing wrong with that.But it was answering the wrong question.A to-do list answers: What do I have to do today?That’s useful, but it almost always prioritizes what feels urgent over what’s actually important.And in pageantry, that’s where contestants quietly fall behind.Because the things that separate winners are rarely the loudest things on your list.They’re the important things that don’t feel urgent yet:* finalizing your talent cut* defining your brand* locking in your interview stories* choosing the right gown direction* building a social media narrative* clarifying your platform planThese are the things that never scream for your attention.Until it’s pageant week.Instead of asking what do I need to do today?, I want you to ask:What result do I want this week?When I asked my client that question, her thinking changed immediately.The result wasn’t “practice piano.”The result was:Win talent.Now the strategy changes.Winning talent is not just about getting the notes right.It’s about:* showmanship* crowd connection* emotional pacing* music cuts* creating a standing ovation momentThe real breakthrough?She realized the first step wasn’t practicing at all.It was getting the cut of the piece right, so every rehearsal was preparing the exact competition version.That never would have made it onto a normal to-do list.But it became obvious once the result was clear.This week, I want you to break your prep into categories:* interview* gown* swim/fitness* talent* branding* social media* platform* mindsetThen ask:What result do I want in this category this week?That one question will instantly make your prep more strategic.You’ll stop feeling busy.You’ll stop feeling overwhelmed.And most importantly, you’ll start building momentum in the areas that actually win crowns.Busy feels frazzled.Productive feels powerful.This week, stop managing tasks.Start managing outcomes.Adrian.--I offer a limited number of private coaching sessions for contestants who are serious about taking home the crown. Find out more:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/coaching This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe--👑 ABOUT THOM BRODEURThom Brodeur is an American businessman, brand builder, and philanthropist with deep roots in the pageant world. In 2025, he stepped into the role of CEO of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.👉 FOLLOW THOM BRODEUR* https://www.instagram.com/officialthombrodeur/* https://www.instagram.com/missusa/* https://www.instagram.com/themissteenusa/--Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 https://pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com👑 ABOUT GEANNA KOULOURISGeanna Koulouris is an educator, author, and community advocate from Long Island, New York. She holds a Master’s degree in Teaching English and Teaching Students with Disabilities from NYU and currently works in education supporting diverse learners. As a first generation Greek-American, she also teaches Greek dance across Long Island to students of all ages and abilities, passing on cultural traditions to the next generation.Passionate about creating inclusive spaces, Geanna also founded EmpowerEd, a platform dedicated to helping young people feel confident, capable, and supported in their education and communities. Geanna uses her platform EmpowerEd to uplift young people through education, confidence building, and leadership opportunities. Through pageantry, education, and community service, Geanna is committed to using her voice to inspire other young women to lead with purpose and compassion.👉 FOLLOW GEANNA KOULOURIShttps://www.instagram.com/geannakoulouris/📖 GET GEANNA’S BOOKhttps://www.amazon.com/Team-Room-Everyone-Geanna-Koulouris/dp/B0GS9NLG6X/Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe--Most contestants don’t have a talent problem.They have a coaching problem.And they usually don’t realise it until they’ve already spent months, sometimes years, doing everything they were told…Only to step on stage sounding exactly like everyone else.This week, I broke down 7 red flags to watch for in a pageant coach.This came off the back of a conversation I had with Ashley Gonor, where we went deep into what’s broken in pageant coaching and what actually needs to change.If you want the full interview, you can watch it here:👉 Watch the full interview with Ashley GonorBut here’s the short version.👀 The Pattern I Keep SeeingA contestant comes to me and says:“I feel like I sound too pageant.”“I feel like I’m saying the same thing as everyone else.”“I’ve been doing everything my coach said… and I’m not improving.”And within minutes, it’s obvious why.They’ve been taught:* The same opening lines* The same structure* The same “safe” answersDifferent girl. Same script.🚩 The 7 Red FlagsIf you’re working with a coach right now, or thinking about hiring one, watch for these:1. They rely on outdated credentials Coaches who trade on having won a state title “5,000 years ago” or being a “sponsored/official coach” without showing how their methods have evolved. The world changed dramatically even just since COVID — if their coaching hasn’t, that’s a problem.2. They teach a formula that can’t possibly work The “do A and you win” model is logically flawed. If you teach 10 contestants the same formula, only one can win. A coach selling certainty of outcome is selling something they can’t deliver.3. Their entire toolkit is “think positive and be yourself” That’s not coaching — that’s a bumper sticker. If a coach can’t go deeper than surface-level positivity, they’re not equipped to help a contestant at a meaningful level.4. They bring their client down instead of elevating them When a contestant outgrows a coach or challenges them, a bad coach turns it around on the girl — calling her “too pushy” or “expecting too much” rather than acknowledging the fit isn’t right.5. They answer for the contestant Your example of the mom coaching answers during a mock interview session is a version of this. Any coach who doesn’t protect the contestant’s voice and authentic expression is doing damage, not development.6. They focus entirely on strategy and ignore mindset Walk technique, interview scripts, stage routines — these are strategy. A coach obsessed with strategy while ignoring state and story is only ever going to get 10–20% of the result they could.7. They don’t know when to refer out or let go A good coach admits when they’re not the right fit. A red flag coach holds on to clients they can’t serve, or worse, holds them back.🙈 The Uncomfortable TruthA lot of contestants don’t need more coaching.They need to unlearn what they’ve been taught.Because if you’ve been trained to:* Follow the same structure* Use the same phrases* Deliver the same polished answersYou’re not being prepared to stand out.You’re being prepared to blend in.🎯 What Actually MattersNot more scripts.Not more memorisation.What matters is:* Your state: how you show up under pressure* Your story: what you believe about yourself* Your strategy: yes, it matters, but it’s not the driverIf your coach isn’t working on all three, you’re leaving results on the table.✅ A Better Question to AskInstead of asking:“Is this a good coach?”Ask:“Is this making me more me… or more like everyone else?”Because if you want to win, you don’t need to do what everyone else is doing.You need to do what they’re not.If you want the deeper breakdown, including the full conversation that sparked this, watch the interview with Ashley here:👉 Watch the full interview with Ashley GonorThen take a hard look at who you’re learning from.It matters more than you think.Adrian.--Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.com--I’ve been working with a lot of clients on branding and strategy recently.These are words that are thrown around far too often in pageantry, usually by coaches who have no idea what they mean.I’m not talking about your ‘branding kit’ - fonts, hex colors, headshots etc. I’m talking about who you are, what you stand for, and how people remember you.If they remember you at all.* Nike =Just do it* Apple = Think different* FedEx = When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight* The Pageant Project (me) = The best way to succeed in pageantry is to create an amazing life outside of itA client asked me for help with content creation, but that’s rarely a problem unto itself. The bigger problem is you have no idea WHY you’re posting in the first place, plus you’re unclear as to what your brand or core message is.In this week’s video, I walk you through the 3 content creation questions you need to be able to answer.Plus, I’ll show you how to use ChatGPT to replace me (partially).Adrian.--I offer a limited number of private coaching sessions for contestants who are serious about taking home the crown. Find out more:👉 thepageantproject.com/coaching This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe-Who's the pageant GOAT (Greatest of All Time)? The Pageants & Tangents crew discuss their picks - who's yours?-Pageants & Tangents is an irreverential and honest take on modern-day pageantry, hosted by Adrian Kwan, Founder of The Pageant Project.Got a pageant issue or question you want us to discuss? Submit it here:👉 https://pageantpod.comOUR CO-HOSTS:Morgan Morgan:* https://www.instagram.com/morganmorganbonafide/* https://www.morganmorganfitness.com/Peyton Christen:* https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/* https://www.instagram.com/missgavol/Haley Poe:* https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/* https://www.youtube.com/@haleygracepoeFor all media and sponsorship enquiries:👉 [email protected] to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm EST. Sign up at pageantmock.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com--👑 ABOUT ADRIAN KWANAdrian Kwan is the founder of The Pageant Project and a pageant interview coach known for helping contestants perform at their best when it matters most. Based in Sydney, Australia, Adrian began his journey in the pageant world as an interviewer after working as a tennis coach at an all-girls school, where he saw firsthand the challenges young women were facing around confidence and mental health. What started as a simple idea to interview inspiring women soon evolved into one of the largest interview archives in pageantry, with more than 350 interviews on The Pageant Project alone and over 500 long-form conversations across podcasts and other platforms.Today, Adrian focuses on high-performance coaching for pageant contestants, drawing on his background in sport, psychology, and interviewing to help women develop the self-awareness, communication skills, and strategic thinking needed to succeed in interview. Through The Pageant Project, he works with contestants from major systems including Miss USA, Miss America, and Miss Volunteer America, offering coaching, mock interviews, and educational content designed to elevate both performance and personal growth. His broader mission is simple: to help contestants become not just stronger competitors, but stronger women who use pageantry as a platform for growth, leadership, and impact.👉 FOLLOW ADRIAN KWAN* https://www.thepageantproject.com/* https://www.instagram.com/thepageantproject/--Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.comThis week I’m taking you back to a live webinar I did with Miss Georgia Teen USA Isabella Bloedorn.Georgia is in incredibly competitive pageant state, and Isabella managed to win her title despite it being her first-ever time entering a pageant, and she credits her interview as a huge reason.Many of you have big pageants coming up, and you might be asking yourself:“How can I stand out?”The answer is deceptively simple.Think different → Be different → Act different → Get different resultsPageant success always starts with how you think. How you plan. How you strategize.Your goal should be to outthink and outsmart your competitors at every turn. Avoid cliches at all cost. And be the one playing chess when everyone else is playing checkers.In this webinar replay, one thing will be very clear: the strategic way Isabella reverse-engineered her pageant success.Your mind may never work in quite the same way as Isabella’s does, but even a little strategic thinking goes a long way.Best,Adrian.I offer a limited number of private coaching sessions for contestants who are serious about taking home the crown. Find out more:👉 thepageantproject.com/coaching This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com--Pageants & Tangents is an irreverential and honest take on modern-day pageantry, hosted by Adrian Kwan, Founder of The Pageant Project.Got a pageant issue or question you want us to discuss? Submit it here:👉 https://pageantpod.comOUR CO-HOSTS:Morgan Morgan:* https://www.instagram.com/morganmorganbonafide/* https://www.morganmorganfitness.com/Peyton Christen:* https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/* https://www.instagram.com/missgavol/Haley Poe:* https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/* https://www.youtube.com/@haleygracepoeGUEST CO-HOST:Geanna Koulouris:* https://www.instagram.com/geannakoulouris/For all media and sponsorship enquiries:👉 [email protected] to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm EST. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 thepageantproject.com--👑 ABOUT BAILEY GODFREYOriginally from a small town in rural Indiana, Bailey Godfrey now calls Philadelphia, Pennsylvania home. A biochemistry and molecular biology graduate and Division 1 athlete from Wake Forest University, she is an aspiring physician currently applying to medical school and working as a researcher at one of the best children’s hospitals in the United States studying gene therapy cures for sickle cell disease.Recently crowned Miss Berks County 2026 in the Miss America Organization, Bailey uses her platform as a megaphone to share her story of growing up in a low-income household plagued by addiction and abuse. Through her advocacy, she focuses on addiction awareness and prevention while also serving as a mentor for youth who feel limited by their life circumstances like she once did.👉 FOLLOW BAILEY GODFREYhttps://www.instagram.com/baileygodfrey7/--Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe--This is not for the girl who’s just happy to be there.This is for the one who would smile as first runner-up… and then go home and tear her prep apart.If that’s you, listen carefully.You’re not losing because you’re lazy.You’re losing because you love being busy.And being busy makes you feel significant.It feeds your achiever identity. It makes you feel disciplined. Driven. Different.It feels powerful to:* Train twice a day* Stack your calendar* Say no to everything except prep* Be exhaustedIt feels like proof that you want it more.But busy without direction is the beginning of delusion.Because effort is not the differentiator at the top level.Strategy is.Here’s the shift most competitive contestants never make.They start with themselves.* My platform* My talent* My wardrobe* My workout planThat’s backwards.Killers start with the system.They ask:* What is this pageant actually trying to produce?* Is it growing?* Is it rebranding?* Is it chasing visibility?* Is it building scholarship credibility?* What kind of titleholder makes the director’s life easier?If you haven’t reverse-engineered the system, you’re guessing.And guessing does not win major pageants.Think of an old-school Venn diagram. There are two circles:* What the pageant wants.* What you bring to the table.Your job is to expand the overlap.If the overlap is small, you have work to do.If there’s no overlap, you either chose wrong or you need to evolve.And if you’re truly competitive, evolution should excite you.But here’s another uncomfortable truth.Most of you over-invest in your strengths.* You polish the walk you’re already confident in.* You refine the talent you already enjoy.* You keep rehearsing what makes you feel capable.Meanwhile, the component that could cost you the crown stays underdeveloped.That’s not discipline. That’s ego protection.Because achiever types don’t like uncertainty.Stop training skills in isolation. Start training outcomes.Instead of asking:* How do I perfect my walk?Ask:* What wins runway in this venue?Instead of:* How do I tighten my answers?Ask:* What makes them see me as the inevitable titleholder?Instead of:* What talent should I perform?Ask:* What dominates in this room?There is a difference between looking prepared and being inevitable.That difference is strategic thinking.That’s what this week’s video is about.In it, I break down:* The real mistake hyper-competitive contestants make every year* Why “just be yourself” is weak advice if you actually want to win* How new and rebranding systems change the strategy completely* Why being busy feels productive but often isn’t* And how to think about every component through a strategic lensThis is not a tactics video.It’s a mindset and positioning video.This is you playing chess whilst everyone else is playing checkers.If you’re serious about winning, this is upstream work.Most contestants will never think this way.That’s why most contestants never win.If this made you uncomfortable, good.Now go watch the video.Then get to work.Adrian.--Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe--👑 About AudreyAudrey Whisman was crowned Miss Pennsylvania Volunteer back in October, and has been living her dream life ever since! She has already travelled over 17,500 miles and attended over 50 appearances, and is still just getting started! Join as she discusses her year so far, her experiences overcoming Selective Mutism which led to the creation of her SERVE Initiative: Beyond the Silence, and much more! She’s currently preparing to represent Pennsylvania at the Miss Volunteer America national competition this June, and is launching National Drop-Off Day in collaboration with The Salvation Army to inspire service nationwide. Audrey believes your biggest struggle can become your greatest strength, and she’s living proof.👉 Follow Audrey:https://www.instagram.com/misspavol/https://www.instagram.com/audreywhismanofficial/--Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe--Pageants & Tangents is an irreverential and honest take on modern-day pageantry, hosted by Adrian Kwan, Founder of The Pageant Project.Got a pageant issue or question you want us to discuss? Submit it here:👉 https://pageantpod.comOUR CO-HOSTS:Morgan Morgan:* https://www.instagram.com/morganmorganbonafide/* https://www.morganmorganfitness.com/Peyton Christen:* https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/* https://www.instagram.com/missgavol/Haley Poe:* https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/* https://www.youtube.com/@haleygracepoeFor all media and sponsorship enquiries:👉 [email protected] to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm ET. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm EST. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.com--Let me break pageant interview into three levels.Interview 101: Can you walk into the room and speak in coherent sentences without falling apart?For most of you, that doesn’t take long to master.Then comes:Interview 201: Talking points. Stories. Structure. Keeping your answers tight. Sounding polished.That’s where almost everyone stops.* You improve.* You feel sharper.* You stop rambling.And then you plateau.Because there’s a third level.Interview 301: Persuasion. Influence. Reading the room.Not just answering questions, but moving people.Most pageant contestants are practicing Interview 201 skills over and over again, then wondering why they are not breaking through.If you’ve felt stuck, this might be why.In this week’s video, I explain what Interview 301 actually looks like and how to start building it.Because good answers do not win pageant interviews.Influence does.Adrian.--I offer a limited number of private coaching sessions for contestants who are serious about taking home the crown. Find out more:👉 thepageantproject.com/coaching This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Pageants & Tangents is an irreverential and honest take on modern-day pageantry, hosted by Adrian Kwan, Founder of The Pageant Project (https://thepageantproject.com).Got a pageant issue or question you want us to discuss? Submit it here:👉 https://pageantpod.comOUR CO-HOSTS:Morgan Morgan:* https://www.instagram.com/morganmorganbonafide/* https://www.morganmorganfitness.com/Peyton Christen:* https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/* https://www.instagram.com/missgavol/Haley Poe:* https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/* https://www.youtube.com/@haleygracepoeFor all media and sponsorship enquiries:👉 [email protected] pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm EST. Sign up at:👉 pageantmock.com-Most of you are getting better at interview.* Your answers are clearer.* More structured.* Less filler.* More polished.And you’re still not winning.Here’s why.You’re practicing answers. But judges (and humans in general) make decisions emotionally.By the time you sit down, they already have a feeling about you.* Confident or unsure* Magnetic or flat* Titleholder material or notAnd then your answers either confirm that feeling… or struggle to overcome it.Interview isn’t a memorization contest.It’s persuasion.It’s presence.* It’s how you walk in.* How you sit.* How you make eye contact.* How you make them feel.Logic matters.But emotion comes first.In this week’s video, I break down:* Why 80% of the decision happens before you even open your mouth* The soft skills most contestants never train and never know about* And how to start working on the part of interview that actually winsWatch it with one question in mind:When I walk out of the room, will the judges think of me as the best and only logical decision to be their next titleholder?That’s where interview is won. Or lost.Until next week.Adrian.-I offer a limited number of private coaching sessions for contestants who are serious about taking home the crown. Find out more:👉 thepageantproject.com/coaching This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:http://thepageantproject.com/subscribe-👑 About AmandaAmanda Higginbotham, a born and raised Texan reigning as Miss Texas Volunteer, has a passport full of stamps and a heart full for service. A summa cum laude graduate with dual degrees in Aeronautical Science and International Studies and language certificates in Chinese and French, Amanda currently works as a DFW-based airline pilot and a part-time model. Also, with almost 5,000 lifetime volunteer service hours, she's the founder of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Reach Out to Outreaches Inc., which has partnered with charities such as American Cancer Society, Civil Air Patrol, Angel Flight South Central, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, MPowered performance troupe, and more.If she's not landing–or strutting–on a runway, Amanda loves to inspire others through her S.E.R.V.E initiative, "The Spark Initiative - Igniting Curiosity to Spark Empowerment". She is a self-described movie critic, sushi eater, country dancer, and just another coffee lover. With a passion for life and a heart for others, Amanda wants to prove that courage, commitment, and a LOT of caffeine can take you anywhere!👉 Follow Amanda:https://www.instagram.com/anhiggi/https://www.instagram.com/misstxvolunteer/-Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm EST. Sign up at pageantmock.com: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Pageants & Tangents is an irreverential and honest take on modern-day pageantry, hosted by Adrian Kwan, Founder of The Pageant Project (https://thepageantproject.com).Got a pageant issue or question you want us to discuss? Submit it here:👉 https://pageantpod.comOur co-hosts:Morgan Morgan:* https://www.instagram.com/morganmorganbonafide/* https://www.morganmorganfitness.com/Peyton Christen:* https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/Haley Poe:* https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/* https://www.youtube.com/@haleygracepoeSPECIAL GUEST CO-HOST* https://www.instagram.com/daviaesther/For all media and sponsorship enquiries:👉 [email protected] pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:http://thepageantproject.com/subscribe-Let me ask you a question.Over the last year, a lot of you have joined The Pageant Project. Many of you are new here, and I realized I haven’t properly reintroduced myself or asked what you actually want to know.So let me ask you directly.What do you want to know about pageants?* A question you’ve always had, but never felt comfortable asking* Something about contracts, judging, or industry politics* An issue you think gets ignored or sugar-coated* A situation you’re dealing with and want an honest perspective onReply to this email, send me a DM, or submit anonymously at pageantpod.com.If you want to stay anonymous, just say so. I’ll respect that.BestAdrian.-Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm EST. To sign up, go to:https://pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Pageants & Tangents is an irreverential and honest take on modern-day pageantry, hosted by Adrian Kwan, Founder of The Pageant Project (https://thepageantproject.com).Got a pageant issue or question you want us to discuss? Submit it here:👉 https://pageantpod.comOur co-hosts:Morgan Morgan:* https://www.instagram.com/morganmorganbonafide/* https://www.morganmorganfitness.com/Peyton Christen:* https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/Haley Poe:* https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/* https://www.youtube.com/@haleygracepoeFor all media and sponsorship enquiries:👉 [email protected] pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:http://thepageantproject.com/subscribe-Have you ever noticed that the likelihood of a fanbase getting irrationally angry is directly proportional to how passionate they are?Whether they’re Trekkies, Swifties, or Flat Earthers, there’s no point trying to convince them they’re wrong - you are.The exact same rule applies to pageants. The industry may not be as big as it once was, but in many ways, that means the remaining people are even more passionate on average. And, make no mistake, they’re passionate about many things:* Which pageant is the best* Which pageant coach is the best* Who the favorites/hotpicks are for any given pageant* Who’s got the prettiest dress* Who spoke the most eloquentlyBut here’s the question. Should you listen to any of it?Forget pageant fans for a second. If you take on a well-known pageant coach, and they tell you that you entered the wrong pageant, would you take their advice?What about if they told you your talent or platform was wrong, or they made you question things such as your food choices or your religious or political beliefs?Unfortunately, pageantry is FULL of characters like that. There are far too many people with opinions, and far too few with the reasoning, experience, or critical thought to back them up.All this to say - never let anyone tell you that your reasons are “wrong”, whether that’s your reasons for competing in a pageant, the career path your choose to take, or the life partner you choose to spend the rest of your life with.And never let anyone tell you you’re a moron either… but you’ll have to watch or listen to this week’s episode to get the BTS on that one!Adrian.-Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm EST. To sign up, go to:https://pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Pageants & Tangents is an irreverential and honest take on modern-day pageantry, hosted by Adrian Kwan, Founder of The Pageant Project (https://thepageantproject.com).Got a pageant issue or question you want us to discuss? Submit it here:👉 https://pageantpod.comOur co-hosts:Morgan Morgan:* https://www.instagram.com/morganmorganbonafide/* https://www.morganmorganfitness.com/Peyton Christen:* https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/Haley Poe:* https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/* https://www.youtube.com/@haleygracepoeSpecial guest co-host:Geanna Koulouris:* https://www.instagram.com/geannakoulouris/For all media and sponsorship enquiries:👉 [email protected] pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:👉 https://thepageantproject.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Our next mock interview is on Thursday 29th January at 8pm EST. If you’re serious about winning your next pageant interview, visit pageantmock.com (3 spots left).Never ever enter a pageant purely to win.I get it, I’m competitive too, but let’s be real. Pageant judging can be an absolute farce, and it’s often when you least expect it.Are you honestly telling me you’re prepared to put in all the hard work, only to have it thrown away simply because a clueless judge picked the pretty girl who smiled at him?I didn’t think so.In my opinion, there are only 3 reasons you should be entering a pageant in 2026. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t want to win, or that you won’t win, it simply means that the win would be the proverbial icing on the cake.If I had only one wish for you heading into 2026, it would be that you set up the game of pageantry in such a way that you walk away as a better person at the end of it, regardless of the result, and that you viewed the whole experience as ‘worth it’.Watch this week’s video or listen to the episode and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.Do you agree with my 3 reasons? Or would you make some changes?BestAdrian.Got a question or issue that needs to be discussed about the pageant industry? Visit pageantpod.com. Questions can be submitted anonymously. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Pageants & Tangents is an irreverential and honest take on modern-day pageantry, hosted by Adrian Kwan, Founder of The Pageant Project (https://thepageantproject.com).Got a pageant issue or question you want us to discuss? Submit it here:👉 https://pageantpod.comOur co-hosts:Morgan Morgan:* https://www.instagram.com/morganmorganbonafide/* https://www.morganmorganfitness.com/Peyton Christen:* https://www.instagram.com/peytonkaynec/Haley Poe:* https://www.instagram.com/haleygracepoe/* https://www.youtube.com/@haleygracepoeFor all media and sponsorship enquiries:👉 [email protected] pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

High-performance pageant coaching, shared weekly. Trusted by 350+ titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and beyond. This isn’t theory. It’s what works. Start your journey for free:http://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About MadalainaAn engineer and STEM advocate who believes confidence matters just as much as credentials. As the founder of EmpowHER in STEM, she focuses on building community and sharing resources that support girls and young women as they navigate STEM, leadership, and spaces where they may not always feel represented.👉 Follow Madalaina:https://www.instagram.com/_m.hlava_/https://www.instagram.com/official_madalainahlava/Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm EST. Sign up at: pageantmock.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Got a question or issue that needs to be discussed about the pageant industry? Visit pageantpod.com. Questions can be submitted anonymously.-There's a post pinned to the top of my Instagram right now. It’s been one of my most viral posts to date, scoring close enough to 10,000 likes, and over 1,000 saves and shares.Here’s a little BTS insight - when I create posts such as these, I view it almost as a test to see how well I have my finger on the pulse of the pageant industry* Do I still understand what contestants such as you really want?* What obstacles you’re struggling to overcome?* And what issues you want to see discussed?When a post lands (i.e. performs well), I take it as a sign that it’s spoken to some element of truth within the pageant industry. When it doesn’t, perhaps not (although the algorithm can play a role in that too).But whenever a post does do well, there’s almost always a comment from someone who bites back at it. Recently I had one well-known US pageant queen comment:“What do men know about pageants. This irks me so bad.”This time around however, the comment was more nuanced.Here’s the thing - I actually agree with this comment. “Being real” is no guarantee of winning a pageant, or anything else for that matter.But here’s the question - what does “winning” mean to you?And is it possible for you to change the pageant game in such a way that you ALWAYS walk away a winner?I believe so. And that’s what we’re discussing in this week’s episode.BestAdrianOur next mock interview for 2026 is on Thursday 22nd January at 8pm EST. Click the button below to sign up or visit pageantmock.com (6 spots left). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works. Subscribe for free at:https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About ArianaAriana Leigh Scott, Miss New Jersey Teen Volunteer, is a dedicated high school student and the proud founder of Hand 2 Hand Heroes, an initiative focused on uplifting those in need through compassion and connection. Passionate about service, Ariana devotes her time to creating meaningful change in her community, inspiring others to lead with kindness, purpose, and heart.👉 Follow Ariana:https://www.instagram.com/missnjteenvol/https://www.instagram.com/hand2handheroes/-Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm EST. To sign up, go to:https://pageantmock.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Got a question or issue that needs to be discussed about the pageant industry? Visit pageantpod.com. Questions can be submitted anonymously.I got asked a question last week by one of our VIPs. She was asking whether it was possible to negotiate her pageant contract. My answer was pretty straightforward:* Yes you absolutely CAN.* Whether you SHOULD or not is a judgment call.In this week’s episode I talk about one of my experiences helping an international titleholder navigate a particularly treacherous contract. While her qualms surrounded financial arrangements and percentages, I’ve also consulted with contestants who wanted to bring a class action against a pageant system for breach of contract, as well as one titleholder who managed to b*tch slap her director so hard (figuratively) that she ended up becoming the NEW director.The moral of the story, however, is always pretty simple.Know your worth.And if that means you step away from a title or a pageant, then so be it.I know that you might think that’s easier said than done and I can certainly empathize with that, but the alternative is that you end up in what is basically indentured servitude for the rest of your life (or at least the rest of your pageant career).Until next time,Adrian.Our next mock interview for 2026 is on Thursday 15th January at 8pm EST. Sign up at pageantmock.com (5 spots left). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe-👑 About JessicaJessica is 26 years old and was born and raised in southern New Jersey. She currently works as a full-time paramedic and volunteers with her local fire department. Her S.E.R.V.E. initiative, Let’s Talk Diabetes, was inspired by her own experiences after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 11 years old and focuses on raising awareness about diabetes and advocating for those affected by the disease. She works with many volunteer organizations throughout the state of New Jersey and believes that giving back to her community is not only an opportunity, but also a responsibility.👉 Follow Jessica:https://www.instagram.com/jessiwriggins/https://www.instagram.com/missnjvol/-Looking to win your next pageant interview? We hold weekly mock interview sessions on Thursday evenings at 8pm EST. Sign up at pageantmock.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Our first mock interview for 2026 is on Thursday 8th January at 8pm EST. Sign up at: pageantmock.com (3 spots left).Am I the only one that got whiplash from pageantry in 2025?Here were my highlights:* Attending Miss Volunteer America in June in Tennessee* Publishing “The Beginner’s Guide to Pageantry” and having it hit the Top Ten on Amazon* Beginning the recording of a new pageant podcast “Pageants & Tangents”On the flipside, I felt that 2025 was the year I became quite disillusioned with the pageant coaching industry and some of the weirdly upside-down power structures that exist within the pageant industry in general:* Miss Universe was a debacle from start to finish* I encountered multiple cases of nepotism and conflicts of interest being swept under the carpet* Far too many coaches indulging in unethical business practices and abusing their positions of powerDespite all that, I actually remain quite hopeful about the state of pageantry in 2026 and beyond (at least in the USA). You can watch or listen to this week’s episode to get my thoughts on international pageantry (spoiler alert: they’re not positive).But if you’re someone who’s thinking of entering their first pageant, or re-entering after a long sabattical, maybe 2026 is the year to do it?How was your 2025? Hit REPLY and let me know!BestAdrianPS Happy New Year!I offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Book yours at:https://www.thepageantproject.com/p/coachingPageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you’re ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About JesseI am a small town girl from Provencal, Louisiana, for I represented Natchitoches, Louisiana at the Miss Louisiana Pageant. I competed in pageants from a very early age, in hopes to gain confidence and a passion. I achieved more than that.I have over 200+ volunteer hours just within this year. Our community calls, I answer. I am the founder of the Jesse Foshee Scholarship at Renee’s Dance Studio, raising money for girls who need the financial help to do what they love: dance. I have written a confidence building journal, Simply Me, for the City of Natchitoches and NSU. You may have seen me at every Northwestern State event, Special Olympics, our Lieutenant Governor’s office, and in every Louisiana Parish. I can’t wait to devote my time and efforts to Louisiana.Now preparing for Miss Volunteer America, I think of those who doubted me. I think of those from my hometown village who deserves better. I think of the young girls who have socioeconomic limitations. I wear the crown to teach women that they CAN.👉 Follow Jesse:https://www.instagram.com/misslavol/https://www.instagram.com/thejessefoshee/⏱️ Timestamps* 00:00 – Intro, pronunciation chaos, and becoming Miss Louisiana Volunteer* 04:30 – Louisiana identity: Katrina, unity, hospitality, and culture* 09:00 – Music, dance vs violin, and Louisiana creative roots* 13:30 – Food, holidays, pageant prep, and Natchitoches traditions* 19:00 – Changing majors, faith, bucket trucks, and reading “signs”* 26:30 – Entering pageants young, confidence building, early lessons* 33:30 – Volunteering, Salvation Army work, and service beyond the crown* 41:30 – Family sacrifice, paying for her own gown, crowning night emotions* 52:00 – What makes her tick: resilience, faith, hope, and humility* 1:07:00 – Perspective after winning, advice for young girls, closing reflectionsOur last mock interview for 2025 is on Thursday 18th December at 8pm EST. Click the button below to sign up or visit pageantmock.com (4 spots left). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About GiaGia Soleil Espinoza is Miss Texas Earth, a third-generation business owner, Criminal Justice major, and dedicated animal advocate. As the co-founder of Cars & Canines, she champions adoption, sustainability, and community connection.Recently accepted into the El Paso Police Academy, Gia is pursuing her goal of becoming a domestic violence advocate driven by purpose, compassion, and the legacy of her late friend and Cars & Canines co-founder, Mia Molina.A proud cat mom and lifelong Texan, she leads with heart, resilience, and a mission to make her community safer and more sustainable.👉 Follow Gia:https://www.instagram.com/giasoleil/⏱️ Timestamps* 00:00 – Intro, Wi-Fi setup, and Gia’s “second house” flex* 06:00 – Hispanic “don’t get sick” rules: socks, chanclas, layers, rain, AC whiplash* 11:11 – Soup obsession, UK food tangent, and “I’m adventurous with soup… and that’s it”* 15:20 – “Last meal” question: chicken tortilla soup, cucumber lemonade, chips vs fries* 19:35 – Immigration and border reality: family history, poverty, women and children advocacy* 25:36 – Entering pageantry with severe social anxiety and a 504 plan* 29:01 – Business upbringing, failure, and confidence building* 33:35 – Career pivot to policing after personal loss* 45:20 – Cars & Canines, community work, and using cars to draw crowds* 59:02 – Rapid fire questions and closing reflectionsOur last mock interview for 2025 is on Thursday 18th December at 8pm EST. Sign up at pageantmock.com (4 spots left). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and more, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribeWe’ve begun recording episodes of our new pageant podcast “Pageants & Tangents” featuring myself, personal trainer Morgan Morgan, Miss Georgia Volunteer 2026 Peyton Christen, and Miss Earth USA 2025 Haley Poe.Our first episode will be published in early 2026, so I thought it would be a great time to talk all things pageant fitness. Regardless of whether or not your pageant has a swimsuit component, or even if you’re not planning on competing in the immediate future, it’s always a great idea to be in great shape.BUT… I’m not talking about starving yourself. And I’m not talking about “losing weight” either.I’m talking about FITNESS: becoming fitter, faster, stronger, more vibrantly energetic, and all that jazz.And the two are NOT the same! But here’s the kicker.I truly believe you can look great AND feel great at the same time. It doesn’t have to be a mutually exclusive choice.And that’s why I wanted Morgan to answer all your pageant fitness, health, and nutrition questions in our inaugural episode.By the way, Morgan wrote the Foreword for my book “The Beginner’s Guide to Pageantry”, plus she’s a self-confessed ‘perma nerd’ with her head constantly buried in PubMed articles, so I both trust her and know that she knows what she’s talking about.Got a question for Morgan? Hit reply to this email, or drop a comment below, and we’ll get as many answered as possible!BestAdrianOur last mock interview for 2025 is on Thursday 18th December at 8pm EST. Sign up at pageantmock.com (4 spots left). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and more, this isn’t theory. It’s what works:https://thepageantproject.com/subscribeMost people think they have a strong platform. In reality, many are just accidentally creating the same hollow, awareness-only advocacy that judges ignore and contestants secretly roll their eyes at.This week’s episode breaks down exactly how to avoid that trap and build a platform that feels real, grounded, and impossible to accuse of being performative.Here’s the simple checklist I use:* Share information that is actually useful, practical, and relevant right now.* Give action steps that someone can implement today (not just more talk).* Tie everything back to your own story so it has substance, not slogans.We also dig into the real difference between a heartfelt advocacy and a well-executed one. They are not the same, and mixing them up is why many contestants with great intentions end up with ineffective platforms.If you want a platform that judges remember for the right reasons, watch the episode.Until next week,AdrianOur next mock interview is on Thursday 11th December at 8pm EST. Click the button below to sign up or visit pageantmock.com (3 spots left). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Have you heard of cross-pollination? Not the bee kind, the kind where you take an idea from one field and use it to level up something completely different.Think of people like Leonardo da Vinci or Steve Jobs. They were masters at it. Da Vinci blended art with anatomy. Jobs fused engineering with storytelling and taste. Their biggest breakthroughs came from mixing disciplines, not staying in their lane.In the same way, we’re going to take something I learned from a communications expert, and apply it to our pageant interview practice.You already know (I hope) how useful it is to watch your answers back, but if you want to truly turbocharge your progress, try analyzing your answers in these three ways:* Watch your answer back without sound.* Listen to your answer back without video.* Read a transcript of your answer.Want to know why and how this framework is so effective?Then watch the video 😉See you next weekAdrianOur next mock interview is on Thursday 4th December at 8pm EST. Click the button below to sign up or visit pageantmock.com (3 spots left). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Next mock interview is on Thursday 27th November at 8pm EST. Sign up at pageantmock.com (4 spots left).I don’t know about you, but for the past couple of weeks, every time I opened my phone, there seemed to be a fresh Miss Universe drama waiting for me.And whilst the pageant fans and “experts” are still critiquing and breaking down what happened, I’m more interested in the practical lessons we can all take away from the chaos.Lesson One: Know What You’re Getting Yourself IntoDo your research. It doesn’t have to take long, and with AI tools such as perplexity (which is specifically built to search the internet and fact find), you can get a great overview of any pageant system in just a few minutes.Ignorance might be bliss, but naivety equals pain in pageantry.Lesson Two: Don’t Listen to What People Say. Look at What They Do.This is a great life lesson in general, but specifically in pageantry—where there can be a tendency to gloss over things and not discuss issues publicly—it’s hugely important that you become adept at studying people’s behavior, especially over an extended period of time.It’s like they say: trust but verify.Lesson Three: Have a Plan That Doesn’t Involve WinningHere’s a thought experiment. If you poured your entire budget, time, and energy into a pageant and still placed dead last, would you still feel it was worth it?No? Then we need to set some different goals.---What were your takeaways from this year’s pageant? And what do you think it means for the future of Miss Universe?Hit reply and let me know.AdrianPS Want my hot take on where pageantry is heading and a potential new trend? It’s at the end of this week’s episode. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

A very well known and well respected US pageant titleholder once gave me the title of “The Pageant Shrink” after a long and emotional conversation about a deeply disappointing episode she’d experienced in the pageant industry.Conversations like this aren’t rare for me. I’ve been called on to act as everything from legal counsel to pageant confidante and everything in between. Part of that is my experience, but it’s also because of the unique position I occupy in the industry.I’m oddly well connected, known, and respected for someone who is as close to truly objective as is humanly possible.But I can’t have a conversation with everyone. And I know many of you will go through your share of pageant disappointments, and some of them will be deeply unfair or unjust. I have just one piece of advice:Know your worth.And then add tax (ok, that’s two pieces of advice).But seriously, know what YOU bring to the table, not in vague self help manifestation terms, but in real skills, experience, knowledge, work ethic, and sheer hunger. There’s a different type of confidence that comes from knowing you’ve outworked your competition at every turn.When someone tries to take advantage of you, or tries to put one over on you, know your worth.Even if you’re fortunate enough to have an amazing team behind you, they can’t be with you every minute of every day.There are entire industries that exist purely because women such as you don’t know their worth.Time to buck the trend.Adrian.PS: Next mock interview is on Thursday 20th November at 8pm EST. Click the button below to sign up or go to pageantmock.com (4 spots left). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

To join our next mock interview or view upcoming dates, click the button below or go to pageantmock.com:Welcome to the replay of our first ever pageant mock interview session.In Tuesday’s email I mentioned that we would be experimenting with weekly mock interview sessions. You can join in two ways:* Pay $19.99 for a single session* Become a monthly subscriber for $19.99 and attend every weekly session at no additional costMy goal was to create the most realistic and impactful setting possible:* You practice under real pressure: answering questions from fellow contestants instead of rehearsing in your head or talking to the mirror. This helps you get used to the same nerves you feel in the interview room.* You get an instant playback of your answer: right after you finish responding, we replay that exact answer on the call. This lets you see how you look, hear how you sound, and identify specific habits to refine immediately.* You learn from the judges’ perspective: because you ask questions as well as answer them, you gain a clearer understanding of what judges listen for and how they evaluate contestants.If there’s one thing I’ve learned from interviewing over 350 contestants around the world over the last decade, it’s that the camera does not lie. I look back at my earliest interviews now and they make me cringe. But being forced to watch them while editing is exactly what helped me improve so quickly. When you’re confronted with the truth, progress becomes inevitable.Enjoy the replay.AdrianIf you want weekly practice, consider becoming a paid subscriber. It costs $19.99 per month and gives you access to every weekly mock interview. Cancel any time. Click the button below to subscribe or go to thepageantproject.com: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

If you’re a paid member, you should have already received early access to our new weekly live mock interviews (together with your complimentary spot and coupon code).If you’re one of our regular readers, good news — you can now join too.Each live session gives you the chance to:* Practice real interview questions under pressure* Watch other contestants’ answers in real time* Learn exactly what judges respond toNext session:📅 Thursday 13 September (Friday 14 for Aussies)🕗 8pm EST / 7pm CST / 6pm MST / 5pm PST (12 noon for Aussies)🎟 Reserve your spot → https://tpp.as.me/mockpageantinterview$19.99 USD for non-members.Can’t make it live? You can still take part — record a short video of yourself answering two interview questions and send it to [email protected]. I’ll review it during the session and include your full feedback in the replay, which everyone receives.Now, a quick story from today’s video…One of my clients just won her Miss America local — and what helped her nail her interview wasn’t another tip or script. It was energy. She blasted her pump-up playlist and paced back and forth before stepping into the room.Athletes never compete cold. They warm up. Pageant contestants should too.You can’t think your way out of nerves — you need to move your way out.And the final topic for today’s video — the Miss Universe situation.When I see things like this, I’m reminded that red flags in this industry aren’t hard to spot — they’re just easy to excuse. Power without respect isn’t leadership, it’s ego.Empowerment starts when you stop tolerating the wrong energy.See you at the mock,Coach AdrianPaid members get complimentary access to weekly mock interviews. Join for just $19.99 per month by hitting the subscribe button below. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

In Tuesday’s email, I shared my plans for a free pageant interview training built from the nearly 400 interviews I’ve done over the past decade.If you haven’t already, take two minutes to help shape that training by completing this short survey:👉 pageantmock.comIntroducing Weekly Mock Interview Practice (Paid Members Only)The free training will cover interview fundamentals, but many of you have asked for more hands-on practice — a space to build confidence under real interview pressure.That’s why I’m launching weekly mock interview sessions for our paid members on a trial basis. If you find them valuable, we’ll keep going.You can:* Join live online and practice in real time, or* Send in a short 2–3-minute video answering a couple of interview questions to be reviewed during the call (you’ll see my feedback in the replay).During these sessions, you’ll also get to observe other contestants and analyze their answers from a judge’s point of view.Learning what stands out, what feels authentic, and how judges perceive confidence gives you insight most contestants never get — and it dramatically sharpens your own performance.First Session (Trial Run)* Thursday 13 November – 8 p.m. EST* 7 p.m. CST | 6 p.m. MST | 5 p.m. PST* Friday 14 November – 12 p.m. AEDT (Sydney)* Friday 14 November – 1 a.m. GMT (UK)If you’d like to attend live, reply to this email and I’ll send you the details.If the time doesn’t suit, send me your recorded answers before the session — you’ll still be part of the call replay and feedback.Join the Paid MembershipAccess to these sessions is included with your $19.99 USD/month membership (cancel anytime). That’s up to four or five live mocks each month for less than the cost of one private session ($197).👉 Click the link below to sign up:https://thepageantproject.com/subscribeWhy This MattersReal improvement happens when you practice under pressure. These weekly sessions are your chance to simulate the real interview room, learn what judges notice, and refine your answers until they feel effortless.See you at our first mock — let’s start building interview confidence before 2026 even begins.— Adrian This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe---(TL:DR—visit pageantmock.com and tell me YOUR biggest frustrations with pageant interview).I got quite frustrated last week.I’ve been doing a lot of mock interviews.I’ve also been learning more about the differences in pageant interview between Miss USA, Miss America, and Miss Volunteer America, by interviewing contestants who have competed in all three (they’re COMPLETELY different by the way).Here’s what frustrated me—there’s a HUGE amount of information about pageant interview you need to know that simply isn’t available or easily accessible.It’s either gatekept, paywalled, or simply not talked about.And to me that’s completely unacceptable.I can’t tell you how many mock interview sessions I’ve had recently where a client will tell me that my feedback is the first REAL feedback they’ve been given in a session. Not a generic “that was good” or a cliched “just be yourself”, but ACTUAL constructive feedback that they can take away and work on.Also I don’t know what’s going on, but so many of you sound EXACTLY the same when answering mock interview questions. It’s actually uncanny. It’s like you’ve all been given the same formula for answering, but in my opinion, it’s a formula for DISASTER.Here’s what I decided:* Create a FREE training that will show you how to be WORLD-CLASS at pageant interview* It will be better than what other coaches are CHARGING for* It will cover not only WHAT to say, but HOW to say it* It will show you how to overcome nerves and how to interview with CONFIDENCE* How to prepare for those dreaded CONTROVERSIAL questions* How to sound AUTHENTIC, not rehearsed or robotic* How to avoid RAMBLING answers (especially if you have ADHD like me)* How to make your practice 10x more productive and take up NO EXTRA TIME in your scheduleBut first—I need your help.I need you to go to pageantmock.com and fill out a two-minute survey. Tell me about your biggest frustrations and your biggest obstacles so that I can help you deliver the interview of your life in 2026.As a bonus, you’ll be the first to know when the training goes live.Oh, and did I mention this training will be FREE? And better than what other coaches are CHARGING you for?It’s time to shake the industry up a little in 2026!Go to → pageantmock.com now.---I offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you’re ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe👑 About ZoeZoe McGrady is an engineer, professional model, content creator and youth mentor based in New York City.Zoe attended Duke University and obtained her Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering in 2019. Since then, she worked six years in Fintech, became a professional model working for brands like Under Armor and Sephora, and began pageantry where she placed 3 time top 3 at Miss New York USA.Both as a mentor and a content creator, Zoe now shares how she succeeded in many male-dominated fields and pivoted into the beauty space while facing multiple childhood adversities. The biggest was overcoming abuse and the challenges of a dysfunctional upbringing brought on by parental addiction.After embarking on her own self-healing journey, Zoe’s initiative “Thrive Beyond Survive” is focused on sharing her story and personal lessons to help others facing adversity get out of survival mode and be able to thrive in life. She recently competed at Miss Cosmo USA where she placed First Runner-Up.👉 Follow Zoe:https://www.instagram.com/zoe.mcgrady/⏱️ Timestamps* 0:00 Intro and bio; platform overview: Thrive Beyond Survive* 12:00 Adoption, STEM, and wrestling: early identity & Duke* 14:33 The Instagram ad that led to Miss New York USA* 15:47 From résumé to story: interviews that land* 18:00 Year one results: why the judges connected despite imperfections* 19:27 Mentoring focus: from intention to speaking to kids and panels* 20:59 Feedback, boundaries, and controlling what she can (skin, weight, no surgery)* 24:35 Pressing pause on Miss USA amid controversy and ‘silenced’ titleholders* 26:59 Prelim self-critique: “I think I screwed up bikini”* 28:18 Saying yes to Miss Cosmo USA with two weeks’ prep* 30:04 Judges, scorecards, and subconscious bias in pageantry* 32:18 Backstage optics as an introvert: focus over photos* 1:01:20 Anxiety on the journey and regulating through competition* 1:17:39 Modeling craft: reviewing every frame, angles, and pose auditingI offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you’re ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe

Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching that helps you win. Both on stage and off. After coaching titleholders in Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and 350+ pageant interviews, this isn’t theory. It’s what works.https://thepageantproject.com/subscribe---When Did Mature Become a Bad Thing?I was working with a new pageant interview client today. She had just aged out of Teen and was about to compete in her second-ever Miss competition. Her mother had originally sent me a DM on Instagram saying that her daughter had always scored well in interview but that there would almost always be at least one comment about how she needed to show more “personality” or that she sounded too rehearsed.One even went as far as to say they felt she was just telling them what they wanted to hear.There’s no doubt that feedback like that can be confusing (as well as frustrating). This young woman turned out to be super sharp and articulate, which some judges (especially in Teen competitions) can see as being too “mature.” I’ve worked with multiple Teen contestants who received similar feedback—all of it along the lines of them almost interviewing too well, or that they interviewed like a Miss rather than a Teen.I personally think this is bogus advice. I was extremely mature growing up, and if you were to tell me that the reason I didn’t win a competition was because I sounded too “mature,” then my conclusion would automatically be that this clearly wasn’t a competition for me.That being said, pageant judges sometimes don’t say what they mean. I’m not saying that they’re not telling you the truth (although that can be a distinct possibility at times). What I am saying is that sometimes they struggle to articulate their thoughts just as much as you might during an interview.What Does the Feedback Actually Mean?By now, most of you know that my coaching runs deep. I focus on mindset and root causes, not surface-level band-aid solutions. In this case, I needed to determine what the judge actually meant when they said my client hadn’t shown enough “personality.”After all, unless you decode what the feedback actually means, how can you get to work on it?Here was the conclusion we ended up with:* Showing “personality” actually means needing to appear relatable.* In order to be relatable, you need to share your struggles.* This makes you imperfect, human, and ultimately relatable.* Sharing struggles gave my client the ick (“Why would anyone want to hear about my problems?”).* On top of that, she was intelligent, and some of her friends had called her “intimidating.”When you add this all up, the judge’s comment begins to make more sense. It wasn’t really about personality at all; it was about the need to be relatable by showing people that you weren’t perfect and that you had struggles like everybody else.And when you couple this with a sharp intellect and an impressive résumé, some judges are going to view that as showing off and will immediately mark you down. But here’s the moral of the story:They won’t write that.Ninety-nine percent of the time, they’ll phrase it in a more palatable way such as “needs to show personality,” which leaves you feeling confused because it’s such a vague concept.The next time you get vague, confusing, or frustrating feedback in your pageant, decode what it really means before getting to work. Otherwise, you might spend a year fixing the wrong thing—or polishing a flaw that never existed in the first place.⏱️ Timestamps* 0:00 – Special Offer: Become Adrian’s “guinea pig” for new AI-based mock interview testing* 2:34 – The Client Story: Teen contestant moving into Miss division and confusing judge feedback* 5:49 – “Too Rehearsed” Confusion: When you get feedback that doesn’t fit your actual prep* 7:35 – What Judges Really Mean: “Show more personality” = “Be more relatable”* 13:18 – Why You Must Record Yourself: The danger of never watching your own interview back* 16:04 – The Limits of Coaching Alone: It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it* 20:27 – The Hard Work of Self-Discovery: Doing the personal work that builds authenticity and confidence* 26:16 – Final Thoughts & Call to Action: Do the work, record yourself, and reach out if you want to be the test client---I offer a limited number of private coaching sessions per month for women serious about elevating their pageant journey. Click below to book yours.https://thepageantproject.com/coachingPageantry is evolving, and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Book in if you’re ready to go beyond the crown. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepageantproject.com/subscribe