There’s no denying how impactful a great interview can be in a contestant’s final placement. At best, a great interview performance will make judges root for you and possibly score you higher in the other competitions. At worst, a bad interview can keep you from the crown entirely. This is what makes the competition so nerve-wracking.
A great way to prepare for such a daunting area of competition is by practicing interview questions. After all, practice makes progress. There are thousands of pageant questions online, but how many of them have been asked in a real interview setting?
Each of these questions were asked in youth systems in a variety of age divisions, Jr. Teen and above. Although they are great practice, you should not memorize answers to these questions. The most important skill is learning how to formulate and communicate complete thoughts and answer difficult questions without alienating the judges or audience.
Preparing for Pageant Interview
Practicing countless interview questions will not guarantee a top interview score. You need to know what to expect, how long your answers should be, additional preparation methods, and more to stand out from the competition. We outline all of this in our Ultimate Guide to a Winning Pageant Interview.
Next, you can try a mock interview. Mock interviews are helpful when it comes to reducing the anxiety that comes with being in a timed interview setting. If you’re ready to take your interview preparation to the next level, consider booking theTalk the Talk Package. We’ve helped contestants develop a winning interview strategy that’s earned perfect interview scores in various systems.
Finally, don’t forget to plan out your interview outfit, hair, and makeup. Check out our Pinterest for Interview Outfits and Pageant Hairstyles.
The Questions You Need to Know the Answers to
Many contestants, new and experienced, worry because they don’t know what they’ll be asked in the interview room. Luckily for us, there are some common questions we can practice with to ease our nerves!
These common questions are asked across all systems and age divisions. Be sure to practice your answers, but try not to memorize them!
- Why do you want to win this title?
- What would you do if you won this pageant?
- What qualities should a titleholder have?
- Why are you competing in this pageant?
- Tell me about yourself.
- What is your proudest accomplishment?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- What is your greatest strength?
- Who is your role model?
- What is your platform?
- Tell me something that isn’t on your resume.
Questions About Pageantry
- How did you prepare for this pageant?
- If you were to win the title, what would you do to bring new contestants to the pageant?
- How would your greatest strength make you an effective titleholder?
- If you were a judge, what question would you ask? Answer it.
- What pageant queen do you look up to?
- What would make you a good representative for this specific pageant?
- How would you balance the title with other obligations?
- What would be your first appearance if you won the title?
- How would you serve as a role model to younger titleholders?
- How would you relate to the everyday girl with this title?
- Many Americans believe beauty pageants degrade women. What would you say to them?
- Are you ready for the crown?
- What have you learned from pageantry?
- What do you have yet to gain from pageantry?
- Why did you choose this specific pageant system?
- Do you believe contestants should be coached for pageants?
Questions About American Society
- What can we do to encourage civic engagement in your generation?
- With the current political climate, do you think democracy is working?
- What is the greatest challenge facing your generation?
- What do you think is the United States’ responsibility in addressing the global climate crisis?
- If you could control the national budget, what would you allocate the most funds?
- Do you support “Medicare for All”?
- NASA just had their first all women spacewalk. What does this mean for women in STEM?
- Many Americans believe we should focus on fixing the Earth before traveling into space. How do you feel about NASA’s missions to the Moon and Mars?
- Recently, President Trump has said the United States have an immigration crisis at the Southern boarder. Do you agree? Why or why not?
- What does it mean to be a woman?
- Do you think individuals are just and fair out of fear of consequences or compassion for others?
Most Random Questions
As you’re squeezing in your last minute interview prep, you may be looking for the wackiest questions the judges could ask you.
Remember, we can’t know every single question you’ll be asked, but we can prepare for various situations. You’re in control of this interview! If it fits naturally, try to steer the conversation towards the topics you want to talk about.
We can help you master this skill and conquer the interview room!
- Other than yourself, who should win this pageant?
- What can parents learn from their children?
- If you were able talk to the president for one hour, what would you discuss?
- What was the last book you read?
- What’s something most people don’t know about you?
- What TV shows or movies are you currently watching?
- Why are you here today?
- If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
- What do you do for fun?
- What’s the first thing you’d do after winning the crown?
- If you could live in another country for a month, where would you stay?
- Have you ever bullied anyone?
- What are you most thankful for?
- If you could change one, non-physical thing about yourself, what would it be?
- What is the key to success?
- Can money buy happiness?
- Tell me about a time when you failed.
- Tell me the story of your most embarrassing moment.
- Tell me something to remember you.
Questions Asked at National American Miss
- What book are you currently reading?
- Do you keep a diary?
- Would you be proud of your biography?
- What have you done to leave a legacy?
- What is your favorite part of pageant weekend?
- How did you prepare for this pageant?
- What are your goals for this weekend?
- What makes you happy?
- What do you look for in a friend?
- If I gave you $1,000, what would you do with it?
- What is the best invention of the century?
- What community service have you done?
- Who is your favorite cartoon character?
- Who is your favorite villain?
- What do you do to make a difference?
- I have an imaginary box in front of me. What’s inside of it?
- ident, what would be the first action you’d take?
- If you had the choice, would you rather be President or First Lady?
- What item in your closet have you had the longest?
- What makes you happy?
- If I looked at your social media, what would I notice first?
- What is the first characteristic people notice about you?
- What is your favorite social media platform?
- What is the hardest piece of criticism you have ever received?
- What is the best invention of the century?
- How do you define success?
- Why do you want this title?
- Why did you start pageants?
- How have your extracurricular activities shape you into the person you are today?
- What are some of your goals?
- What is one word that describes you?
Questions Asked at International Junior Miss
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- What school do you go to?
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- What would you change about your school?
- Tell me the story of a time you embarrassed yourself.
- What is your platform?
- What volunteer work have you done?
- What are some of your goals?
- What do you like to do after school?
- How do you balance pageantry and school?
Questions Asked at USA Ambassador
- Is there anything you want me to know about you?
- What is it like to grow up in your hometown?
- What is your favorite part of your hometown?
- What intimidates you?
- What makes you unique?
- Why should we pick you?
- What makes you different from the other contestants?
- What is your favorite animal?
- Where is your phone when you’re in class?
- Do you prefer texting or face-to-face conversations?
- What do you plan to do with the title if you win?
- What is the biggest problem facing your generation? How can you solve this?
- Tell me about your platform.
Takeaways
The goal of pageant interview is to get the judges to think, “That’s my queen!” No matter what questions they ask, it’s (almost) always possible to bring the conversation to the subjects you wanna discuss.
Want practice with this? Let’s have a mock interview! Learn more here.
