What do you expect to gain by competing in pageantry?
My friend, who had participated in pageants for years, had always tried to convince me to try it. Finally, this year I decided to give pageantry a chance. It has been such a fulfilling experience. You learn so much about yourself when preparing for a pageant you would not have known otherwise. I love how pageantry encourages a woman to pursue her goals on and off the stage. I know whether or not I win, I’m a better person for participating in the process.
Photo by Kristy Belcher
Did you face any moment of disappointment with yourself during the pageant journey, and how did you overcome it?
I definitely faced some moments of self-doubt while preparing for this pageant. Actually, my most vivid moment of self-doubt occurred while I was getting my pictures taken for my headshot. I sat there thinking to myself, “What am I doing? I don’t know anything about pageantry.” That’s when the makeup artist, Joel Green, looked me in the eye and recited this quote to me: “You’ll never become who you’re meant to be by staying who you are.” I’ve held onto that quote through the entire process. I believe we have to get out of our comfort zones in order to grow and I know I’ve grown on this journey of pageantry.
What would you advise any young girl out there who has a dream of being a queen one day?
To the young girls out there who’d like to walk across that stage someday, my advice is simple: Believe in yourself and find people who believe in you too. All it takes to be a pageant girl is the confidence to try.
Thanks to the beautiful Rebekah for the interview. Pageants News wishes you all the very best for Miss Alabama USA pageant.
