Growing up a sarcastic theatre kid with no pageant experience and the nickname ‘Krysta Ali’ because of my punch that could sting my brothers like a bee, my friends and family were shocked when I began vying for a title back in 2013. At the time, I was completely unaware of the world I was entering. And to be candid, I believed every stereotype that you would stick on a pageant girl.
Now as a Junior in college with plans to continue competing, I can tell you that these stereotypes could not be more inaccurate, and quite frankly, offensive.
1. We NEVER eat junk food/unhealthy
To know me is to know my Taco Bell obsession. I am serious when I say that I would not give it up if you paid me. My pageant friends would have similar reactions about their favorite fast food dining: WaWa, Mcdonald’s or even the almighty Chick-fil-a. It seems the general public’s consensus is that our health routines to get “swimsuit ready” consist of crazy diets, like only eating plain spinach for an entire year. False. While our diets may be more controlled for a few months and workout routines more intense before we get on stage, I promise you that cheat days are a very real thing. Hey, everything in moderation right?
2. Pageant girls are mean and unfriendly
“Were the girls, like, really mean?” Titleholders are frequently asked this about their competitors. For the most part, our answers are all the same. Most people struggle to believe my truthful response that some of my best friends in this world I met through pageantry (shout out Kenya & Alyssa). I can also say through experience that I have never met a group of girls more determined,confident and genuine in my life than I did during my year of pageants. Whether we spend three days or three years apart, these friendships always pick up right where they left off. Whether we’re meeting up for an adventure or dinner, there’s always lots of laughs and a couple selfies. I wouldn’t change these relationships for anything, regardless of the stereotypes people assume.
3. All beauty and no brains
Have you ever seen "Miss Congeniality"? (If you haven’t, please stop what you’re doing and turn on that piece of cinematic genius right now). As the movie states time and time again, the competition is not a beauty pageant but rather a ‘scholarship program’. Though I don’t entirety agree with the way that pageant women are portrayed in the movie, this line (at least in my experience) is extremely accurate. Similar to many other girls, I am able to afford a college education because of the scholarships and opportunities that pageants brought to me.
Further, I have watched former titleholders earn scholarships allowing them to graduate with degrees from Ivy League schools setting them up for successful careers as doctors, lawyers and veterinarians. Impressive.
While the stereotypes for a pageant girl unfortunately don’t end here, these three certainly top the list as the most common.
Wait, maybe I am honey booboo…
