10 Unspoken Rules of Pageant Etiquette for Beginners

Following the basics of pageant etiquette protects your reputation. Many of the rules are common sense and extensions of general societal etiquette but others are unique to pageants and therefore elude many newcomers. A few times, I've learned the hard way (by showing up to pageants without thank you notes, for instance) so hopefully by watching this video, you can skip some embarrassing experiences and conduct yourself like a pageant vet who's done this before.
Since there's no official handbook for this sort of knowledge, I rounded up the 10 most compelling "rules" that I've gleaned from my own personal experience as a contestant, titleholder, coach, judge, volunteer, and business owner. I also would like to provide credit to thought leaders and pageant blogs such as Win A Pageant for sharing her ideas which I've expanded upon here in this video.

[@ciattylovesperoni]

It's so true about not complaining, I have seen heavy favourites at major pageants not pass in the finals because of their behavior, so important

[@CrystalClues]

Right?? And the worst complainers just seem to always do it on auto pilot and have no idea that most of their overheard conversations are just triggering eye rolls for everyone within earshot

[@lorenarangel4513]

The picture tag is very important if you care about forming a sisterhood with the other ladies.It is very obvious when you just care about winning and looking down on other girls once it is over😞 A true winner cares about the other girls and this special shared experience❤In a competition you want to make friends and may the best one win😊Being able to look back at a picture where the winner had a heart to empower/befriend women while she was in a competition is another level of grace and a characteristic of a deserving woman to represent a true queen📸

[@CrystalClues]

Hi Lorena - totally agree! It’s a shared experience and not only will they be precious memories later on down the line but the sisterhood/network is a very powerful tool that can enrich your life, many times more than the title itself!

[@orimoladeayodejielizabeth4656]

great tips; you have great acting skills too, consider developing yourself in that career line.

[@user-vl5io4ze1q]

Thank you for all of your videos. I entered my first pageant when I was 55 years old, and I am still competing almost 11 years later. I have met such wonderful women and have been able to help so many charities. Before every pageant I do a refresher and watch videos on pageantry to get me going. I greatly appreciate having your videos to watch.

[@user-rf4lc3vt7o]

Good for you 👏

[@RocioFernandez-wj3wx]

I am watching all your videos, my pageant it’s in November and you are being so helpful! Thank you so so much 🙏🏻❤️

[@bayutasma.jasmine2809]

I have an upcoming pageant this December 18 and here I am watching all your videos ❤

[@jjmattson]

I think the thank you note idea is so smart!

[@CrystalClues]

Thank you Justine! Anybody would be lucky to get a note from you ♥️

[@user-eg9bd3ds9e]

I love love love your videos!!!!! I competed in my first pageant last year and I messed up my talent. So this year i'm studying 10X as hard as the other girls. your amazing and positive energy has made it soooo much less stressful I totally agree that you shouldn't complain it totally does bring down the energy thank you for taking the time to do this for us we really appreciate you thank you!!!!!!

[@victorioustv3098]

Wonderful advice! Thank you so much!

[@princessroxyvincenzo9880]

Wonderful advices.

[@princesslyna6079]

Thank you for your tips.

[@berylbold519]

I have one in two weeks time,this will definitely help me.

[@CrystalClues]

Good luck! Down to the wire now

[@Kemyetta2]

Awesome thank you so very much for this video! I learned a lot! Wow! ❤️

[@CrystalClues]

You’re so welcome Tanya dear!

[@24designstudio21]

Thank you 🙏 very much got the information 🙏

[@CrystalClues]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Sana-np1my]

Can you please make a guideline on Miss World?

[@princesslightningstrike4592]

Nice.

[@aaliyahsuleiman8048]

Is it okay to buy the card instead?

[@asmitamathpal8171]

Thankyou so much for making such videos..I also want to participate in it

[@CrystalClues]

Asmita, you’re welcome! Give it a shot and enter. You might even win on your first try!

[@asmitamathpal8171]

@@CrystalClues 😭😭😭😭yea I will❤️💪

[@ashleylawrence6274]

What's the best way to get a gown sponsor?

[@CrystalClues]

Hi Ashley, the thing is with sponsors is that you have to add value in some way. Nothing is ever truly free, you just have to think about how you can help the gown sponsor with advertising, marketing or growing their business so that the gown you get isn’t a total loss. That’s how I would advise you thinking about it with down sponsors whom you do not have a personal connection with. But if you do know someone who owns a gown shop, or have a friend of a friend or even better, a personal connection at a dress brand or manufacturer, you could always appeal to the personal request and usually this could happen as long as you know your contact well enough.

[@pureblood736]

What’s an example of something that would warrant a thank you card?

[@CrystalClues]

When I was competing, frankly anyone who was volunteering their time who I was working with automatically deserved a thank you card. (For example hostesses/house mothers AKA the women who brought us from rehearsal to events, back to the hotel, took care of snacks, etc.) But I also wrote thank you cards to the theater crew too. They work hard as well. Most importantly, the organizers got thank you cards. They do a lot of work behind the scenes to put together the event and the thank you card acknowledges that you recognize the effort they put into giving you that experience.

[@user-rf4lc3vt7o]

Yes .. indeed

[@princessroxysilverdreams5597]

I love you Crystal 💋💋💋💋. Your personality is beautiful and your videos too.

[@CrystalClues]

😭 crying with all the feels... all we want in this world is to be validated and reading comments like this from internet friends makes my day so much brighter ☀️🥰

[@rolandomarquez5772]

In philippines our candidates from bb pilipinas when they will compete internationally madam stella araneta preparing a gift and our candidates will give it to their co-candidates.

[@CrystalClues]

Nice. The gifting tradition is very real, and I still have a lot of trinkets and keepsakes from my pageant journey. The most interesting one is my year at Miss America when miss Hawaii gifted every contestant her own dedicated tree planted in her honor 🌳 haha

[@rockstargaming9269]

I'm 14 and I want to become Miss World will you help me through your channel

[@CrystalClues]

I'd like to try by making more videos on topics you'd find helpful. Please let me know what they are!

[@kathymcbride2425]

i was beaten in the final by this beautiful trans women she was better than the rest of us and i was so happy for her out of the 35 contestance only one complained she was saying it wasnt fair

[@user-rf4lc3vt7o]

That’s crazy

[@princesscrystal7351]

Nice.