FAQ's
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions and additional information regarding our pageants.
What is a "natural" pageant?
Natural pageants are looking for natural kids! Fake hair, false eyelashes, fake teeth and lots of make-up are not allowed. Teens, Women and special circumstances have an exception for hair extensions or false eyelashes. Tots and Mini-Miss are not allowed to wear ANY make-up in interview. Any make up worn for older contestants should be natural and not overdone. Contestants should be dressed and act age appropriately. Clothing is recommended to be "off the rack" but custom made is allowed. Contestants should model naturally and not have a "routine" or be coached. In Cinderella, we are looking for REAL kids in REAL clothes.
What are the areas of competition?
Areas of competition at a Cinderella Pageant will vary slightly based on age division. All participants will compete in photogenic, casualwear modeling and partywear modeling. At many preliminaries and the state pageant, the Baby divisions will have time with the judges to interact with them and see their personalities. Tot-Woman participants will have a judges interview. Tots will also have an on stage interview while Miniature Miss-Woman participants will compete in T talent.
What modeling should I do?
Modeling at an official Cinderella Pageant is judged on the overall appearance of the participants and not their ability to model. The contestant’s walk and turns during casualwear and party dress competition should be natural, smooth and simple. This is not a modeling contest so the judges will not be influenced by affected hand motions, footwork and facial expressions. You only need to know how to stand attractively, walk gracefully to each “Stopping Point” and then exit... nothing more. There are many examples of Cinderella modeling available on YouTube by searching "Cinderella Pageant Modeling" and some preliminaries will hold workshops prior to the pageant. Props, such as tennis rackets, sunglasses, hats, purses, flowers, etc. are not allowed in Cinderella modeling competition; however, gloves are permissible, but not recommended.
Can I participate without a talent?
Yes! Many common talents you will see will be dancing, singing or playing a musical instrument. While participating in the talent portion is required to win the Overall title (ages 7 & up), there are other talents you may perform such as a monologue or poetry/storytelling. Some of our preliminaries will also offer the option of competing for Beauty Only. You would not participate in the talent portion so would not be eligible for a Talent or Overall award, but would be eligible for a Photogenic or Beauty award. If you are interested in this, contact the preliminary director to see if they are offering this option.
Age Eligibility
Age division eligibility is based on the participants age as of Sept 1 of the current pageant season. For example; if a participant is 9 years on Sept 1 but turns 10 on Sept 2, she is eligible to compete as a Miniature Miss (7-9 age group) throughout that season. If she chooses to move to the Miss division (10-12 age group) at any point during that season, she will not be eligible to go back to the younger division and must compete as a Miss through the remainder of the year. If the participant is 10 years old on or before Sept 1 of the current pageant season, she must compete as a Miss contestant. Participants may not compete in an older division until they have met the age requirement of that division.
Registration & Entry Fees
Registration will open approximately 6 weeks prior to pageant date. Entry information will be posted on the page corresponding to each pageant as well as the Facebook event on our official page.
Entry fees vary based on pageant location. They may range anywhere from $45-$85 depending on location and age division. Many will also offer discounts for sisters. It is best to check the corresponding page for information on each preliminary.
All preliminary contestants are eligible and receive a $150 entry fee scholarship towards their fees for the State Finals for that pageant season.
What is Scorecard?
A scorecard participant is only participating in a preliminary strictly for judges critiques and may only be available to Tot-Woman participants. The entry fee is lower for this, but you will not receive an award or the scholarship to the State Finals. This is only advised for those who have already won their division previously on the preliminary level or those who are planning to competing in their local preliminary coming up. Remember this does not qualify you for the scholarship to the State Finals.
There isn't a pageant in my area?
No problem! Most of our preliminaries are considered "open pageants" meaning you do not need to live in that specified area to participate. You may participate in as many open pageants as you wish during each pageant season. Sevier County and Eastern Utah are closed to those living in and around these areas. Please refer to the Sevier County Preliminary page for included counties. If you are interested in becoming a preliminary director in an area without a current pageant, please contact us for more information.
What to wear for Casualwear
Casualwear is your outfit of choice that tends to be more of a dressy casual. Dress pants, Capris or a skirt may be worn. Outfit should be tailored and flattering on the participant. Jewelry should be minimal and not too trendy or distracting. Jeans/flip flops are not typically worn for casualwear. This should be something you could wear to a nice luncheon, country club or to meet the governor. Bright or light colors are recommended. A Google image search for "Cinderella Pageant casual" will give you many examples of clothing you will see at our pageants.
What to wear for Partywear
Partywear for the Infant-Miss divisions should be a nice dress that you might wear to a special occasion such as a wedding, benefit dinner or to meet the President and should be knee length. Dresses may be found at prom/bridal stores but many have been purchased for very affordable prices at such stores as Burlington's, Walmart and even Amazon. Teen dresses are more prom style floor length but not a fully beaded/rhinestoned evening gown. Women participants may wear an evening gown like you might see for Miss Utah and the Miss America system. Most of these dresses can be found at prom or bridal stores.
What to expect for Interview
In Cinderella, we are not looking for the most intelligent person or find out how much you know about politics and current events. Remember we are looking for real kids and interview questions will be geared towards that age group. Tots may be asked questions like what games they like to play or what their favorite cartoon/bedtime story might be? Miniature Miss and Miss may be asked what their favorite subject in school is or what they do to help their families at home. Teens and Women would get questions that might be a little more difficult just to find out more about them. They may be asked what they feel is the hardest thing growing up today or what they hope to gain from participating in pageants. Our main purpose in interview is to learn more about each contestant and see if they can carry on a conversation. Remember no answer is the wrong answer!
What is required for Talent
Talent is only for ages 7 and up. Tot Personality takes the place of Talent for 3-6 year age division. Talent is NOT required to compete in a preliminary, but is required to win the overall title. In the talent category, we are looking for age appropriateness, entertainment value and technical difficulty in the performing arts. You may see dance, singing, musical instruments, monologues and poetry readings. Talents should be 1.5-2.5 min. Any talents over 2.5 min will be disqualified. Talent must be done live, videos or recordings are not allowed. Live animals, unnecessary props and backdrops may not be used. You may use a partner, but they would be considered a prop and will not have any affect on judging of the contestant. If you need accompaniment, we prefer that you have it recorded. Clothing may not be removed while on stage unless necessary to reveal another costume underneath and done in good taste. Remember talent should be age appropriate. Set up for talent should take no longer than 30-60 seconds, exception for larger talent requirements such as piano. Any music used for talent should be submitted on a CD with only the music needed for your performance. Please have a back up with you.
I won my division! What's next?
Congratulations! As a preliminary Overall winner you will move on to the next level of competition, the State Finals. Many preliminary royalties will have various activities throughout their reigning year and you will be invited back to that preliminary the following year to crown your successor. Once you have won an overall title, you will not be eligible to compete for that title again on the preliminary level. You are however, eligible to participate at other preliminaries for judges comments and will automatically be invited back to the state competition as long as you remain eligible for that same age division.
Didn't win? Compete again!
Good news! Because you didn't win your division, you are still eligible to participate on the preliminary level until you do. This means if there are any additional preliminaries you would like to attend within the same pageant season, you are able to keep competing all season long! Many preliminaries also offer a small discount on entry fees if you have already competed within that season. Make sure to check with the preliminary director. Even though you haven't won yet, you are also still eligible to move on to the state competition and compete there! Many time we have state overall winners that did not win their preliminary pageant so keep practicing and come back as often as you'd like.