Phases of Competition

Miss America is both a business and a culturally specific brand that transcends being just a beauty pageant. Miss America herself is a critical member of the Miss America Organization marketing team and works to advance the business of scholarship and community service for women. The Miss America judging system distinguishes Miss America via a form of Olympic scoring where each candidate competes against ONLY herself.

Private Interview - 25%

Each candidate participates in a 10-minute personal interview with our panel of judges. Candidates are questioned on their background as presented on their resume, their education and career goals, their opinions on current events and social issues, their social impact initiative, and their interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities. Scoring is based on overall communication skills, including personality, intelligence, validated opinions, emotional control, and overall first impression, and whether the candidate possesses the overall qualities and attributes of a Miss America. Each interview concludes with the opportunity to make a final statement to the judges.

On-Stage Interview - 15%

Each candidate will be asked one on-stage question that is written by the judges directly after her interview. This question is an extension of the contestants private interview by bringing it on stage in an interactive energetic way to showcase each candidates’ intelligence, personality, charisma, and aptitude for the titleholder job. Each candidate will have 20 seconds to answer their question.

Talent - 40%

Candidates perform a 90-second routine of their own choosing. Some possible talents include all types of singing, dancing, gymnastics, instrumental music, dramatic or comedic monologues, baton twirling, and ventriloquism. Other talents that can be performed solo on a stage are also possible. Scoring is based on the candidate's skill and personality, interpretive ability, technical skill level, stage presence and the totality of all elements, including costume, props, voice, use of body and choreography.

Red Carpet & Social Impact Statement - 20%

Evening wear should express a sense of style and appropriateness for young women ages 17 to 25. The evening wear phase of competition is designed to give the judges a look into how the candidate exhibits her own personal style, attitude, personality, grace, presence, and confidence while making her own statement about her mission for the job. The candidate's total look is considered. Her evening wear (not the value of the evening wear) should complement the candidate's individuality. It is permissible to wear cocktail dresses, evening pant suits, or long gowns. Each candidate will have eight seconds during her red carpet walk to make a statement about her chosen social impact initiative.