Stay ConnectedWelcome to Pageant Planet’s Podcast! Here you will discover everything you need to win the crown of your dreams. Each episode we interview experts in all categories (PreTeen, Teen, General) and give you the insights to help you win.
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Copyright: © Steven Roddy
Cara Mund was born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota. At a young age, Cara showed interest in the arts and dance. She began dancing at the age of two. This allowed her to train for four summers with the Radio City Rockettes, an iconic American dance team.
Cara became well versed in many extra-curricular activities in highschool. She attended Century High School and graduated as the class valedictorian. Cara was part of the school’s Speech Team, the cheerleading team, the National Honor Society president, and the girls state and girls nation programs, to name a few.
She began pageantry as a child, capturing the titles of Little Miss North Dakota, Miss Pre-Teen North Dakota, and Miss Junior Teen North Dakota.
In 2010, she was Miss Red River Valley’s Outstanding Teen. She then went on to compete at Miss North Dakota’s Outstanding Teen in 2010, where she won the state title. This allowed her to compete at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2011. She also was the 4th runner-up at the Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2012 pageant.
After graduating from Brown University, Cara’s heart was set on the Miss America pageant. In 2016, she was Miss Oil Country and placed as the first runner-up at Miss North Dakota 2016. Close, but not close enough for Cara. Only a year later, Cara competed at the Miss North Dakota 2017 pageant as Miss Northern Lights, and this time she did not fall short. She was crowned Miss North Dakota 2017 and was on her way to bringing North Dakota its first Miss America crown.
To hear more about the life of Cara Mund and her journey to becoming Miss America 2018 listen to this week’s podcast.
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Andreia Gibau is a first-generation immigrant to the United States. She was born in Cape Verde which is a group of 10 islands on the west coast of Africa, and her family moved to Brockton, Massachusetts when she was seven years old to have a future with better opportunities.
Her family settled in Brockton, Massachusetts where Andreia grew up and experienced life. She speaks four languages with Portuguese being her first. Opportunities were abundant in Andreia’s life at a young age. She began modeling and acting at the age of 12. She has modeled for designers like Helen Castillo, Mori Lee and Mac Duggal.
In high school, Andreia was part of the drama club. She was introduced to pageants in high school by a teacher, but held off on this opportunity for a few years. In 2013, Andreia moved to New York City to attend St. John’s University. This is where she obtained her Public Relations degree with a minor in fashion.
To hear more about the life of Andreia Gibau and her journey to becoming Miss New York USA 2020 listen to this week’s podcast.
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Darcy Castro is a writer, creator, and an advocate. She is an experienced pageant queen with a heart of gold, and amongst her pageantry successes has won the Elite National American Woman of Service 2019.
Darcy became quite the successful pageant competitor in her time competing as a Miss, winning several local titles. After taking time to focus on her career and her family, she returned to the pageant stage in her 40’s and won her first national title.
She is a mother of four who devotes her time to her family, her work as a marketing communications consultant and professional writer, and to her community. Darcy has dedicated copious amounts of her time to serving her community in many different ways, and has received numerous awards for her efforts.
Darcy is now an advocate for helping children with parents diagnosed with a brain tumour, as Darcy’s father suffered a brain tumour when she was younger. She has now written a detailed book about her experience to help children ages 7-13 years old who may be experiencing similar circumstances.
Darcy’s other platform is focused on respecting ourselves and our community. Using her talents as a professional writer and her time in pageantry she has created a podcast and blog called ‘Cultivating Respect’.
To hear more about the life of Darcy Castro and to discover coaching moments inside of her story listen to this week’s podcast.
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Today we are going to be talking more about Kaliegh Garris, the current Miss Teen USA 2019. In April 2019, Kaliegh Garris brought the state of Connecticut its second Miss Teen USA title after Logan West’s win in 2012. The pageant was held in Reno, Nevada.
18 year-old Kaliegh is now a national titleholder, competitive dancer, model and student. All of which are even more impressive considering she is still in high school.
Kaliegh has set the bar high for other teen contestants competing in pageants across America. Kaliegh volunteers at children’s hospitals, travels to New York to model and is an excellent speaker. Her life experiences made her the perfect choice for Miss Teen USA 2019.
In pageantry, it is important to have a platform to represent throughout your reign, even as a teen. Kaliegh is actively promoting ‘We Are People First’ which recognizes that people with disabilities should not be, and are not defined by their disability. This platform was inspired by her sister who has multiple disabilities.
Throughout her year as Miss Teen USA 2019, Kaliegh has been seen with big sister Miss USA 2019, Cheslie Kryst, along with Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin. The three made their mark across the world as it is the first time in the Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and Miss America history that all three reigning titleholders are women of African American descent.
To hear more about the life of Kaliegh Garris and to discover coaching moments inside of her story listen to this week’s podcast.
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Alayah Benavidez was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up, Alayah’s ambitions did not know any limits. Dreams of becoming a professional model, pageant queen, author and professor were never just dreams to her, they were something she could make a reality.
We all know that most pageant queen success stories do not come without some sort of hardship along the way. In high school, Benavidez was diagnosed with dyslexia and was told she should switch her classes to get additional help, and that she should expect a change in her grades. While these professionals probably had good intentions with telling Alayah the reality of what her expectations should be, this simply did not fit into Alayah’s mindset.
Dyslexia could have been the disability that held Alayah back, but instead to propelled her forward, stronger and more determined than ever. Her life motto then became, “work smarter and strive harder.” This helped her excel in AP and dual credit classes.
Alayah knows how important reading and writing is to help children in their academic success. This is what inspired her to develop a literacy program for children called ‘Read The Way.’ A common saying that Alayah promotes is, “if you read today, you can lead tomorrow.”
In August 2016, Alayah Benavidez captured the title of Miss United States 2016. Miss United States is a national pageant that celebrates women of all walks of life. It empowers its contestants and titleholders to be good and give back to those less fortunate. The pageant has eight age categories where the contestants compete in typical pageant phases of competition including a private interview, swimwear or sportswear, evening gown and on-stage question.
Her experience as Miss United States gathered a large fanbase for her next expedition, Miss Texas USA 2019.
To hear more about the life of Ava Hill and to discover coaching moments inside of her story listen to this week’s podcast.
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"Ava Hill” is a 22-year-old from Kindred, North Dakota. Ava is truly the ‘girl-next-door.’ She enjoys spending time with her family, watching Netflix, snuggling with her cat named Pringles and drinking coffee. She likes to start off each morning with a cup of coffee…. Or five.
Although she has made her way to the top of the pageant world you won’t typically find her wearing heels, but you can always find her with a book or in the dance studio. She enjoys coaching her former dance team, the Kindred Vikettes. Dance is not the only thing that Ava is talented in though.
At the age of 15, Ava auditioned for ‘The Voice.’ She is also a guitarist and a music writer. Ava’s artistic talents spill over into her professional life as a makeup artist. At the age of 19 she graduated from Faces etc. of Minnesota. She is now a business owner of Ava Hill Artistry. She has also won several awards as a makeup artist. Ava thinks that the most important piece of makeup is lipstick, and that a look is never complete without it!
The business world of makeup is not always as glamorous as it may seem. Ava travels mostly within North Dakota, Minnesota and California for a variety of events. Many days are spent doing administration work including writing scripts, writing invoices, scheduling and spending time sending out emails.
She got engaged to the love of her life, Grant Harner, on September 28, 2019.
Ava’s pageant journey began in the beginning stages of her recovery. Her mother suggested that it may be a good idea to help her gain self-esteem and create purpose in her life. Ava’s mother is a former Miss North Dakota International as well. Ava did not see this for herself. At the time she had purple and grey hair, piercings and tattoos. Not the ‘typical look’ for a pageant girl in her mind.
In just two years, to her surprise, she won the title of Miss North Dakota International 2019. Through this journey she became a published journalist, a nominee for Woman of the Year, a worldwide ambassador and received the opportunity to compete internationally for the first time in her life.
To hear more about the life of Ava Hill and to discover coaching moments inside of her story listen to this week’s podcast.
Because you are interested in this episode you might also be interested in:
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Our Favorite Pageant Products was inspired from our Best in Pageantry Awards, which is going on right now. We decided to list our favorite pageant products of 2019 and share them with you.
While the companies who made the list did not know they were being featured, some of these items can be found in our Shop. Either way we link you to the company or product page so if you’re interested you can easily contact the company or purchase the product outright.
Here’s to your success!
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Zozibini Tunzi was born in Tolso Eastern Cape located in South Africa. Here she grew up with her parents and three other sisters. She is the second oldest of her siblings.Zozi grew up close with her family and considered her parents her role models.
“My mother taught me the importance of being kind and humble and always helpful to those around me and my father taught me the importance of education, hard work, and discipline.”
Growing up some of Zozi’s hobbies included hiking, cooking, and watching her favourite television shows. If you’re doing these hobbies right now, maybe you can also be the next Miss Universe? Surely she didn’t know at those moments what she was destined to become.
Zozi grew up truly just like any other woman might have. She loves watching Marvel movies and Game of Thrones.
She attended Cape Peninsula University of Technology and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Image Management in 2018. Zozi worked as a graduate intern in the public relations department of Ogilvy Cape Town.She also went on to complete a Bachelor of Technology
Zozi’s love for education most likely came from her parent as her mother is a school principal and her father works at the Department of Higher Learning in Pretoria.Aside from getting her post-secondary education, Zozi also worked as a model in East London, Eastern Cape.
In 2018, Zozi entered the reality TV show Presenter Search. She was unsuccessful in this venture, but there were other ways she was meant to be in the spotlight.
Listen to today’s episode to learn more about Miss Universe 2019, Zozibini Tunzi.
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Betty Cantrell Maxwell was born and raised in Warner Robins, Georgia. This 25 year old beauty queen was ironically named after her Greek Grandmother, Baciliky, which means ‘Royalty’.
Growing up, Betty lived the true country girl life as her and her family lives on a 675-acre farm in rural Georgia. She knows how to drive a full-sized John Deere tractor, plow and seed fields, and she can even handle a shotgun.
She grew up in a strong Greek Orthodox family and attended church all her life in Macon, Georgia. Betty finds strength in her faith and carried this with her throughout her life and pageant career.
Betty started taking professional vocal and stage lessons at 14. She loved to write songs but would never show anyone. In eighth grade, she got the lead role in the school play. She was never an A-student, and didn’t enjoy the sciences or math. But when it came to the arts, Betty was first place in all the poetry contests and talent shows.
She studied at Mount de Sales Academy for high school and then went on to study vocal performance at Mercer University. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal performance.
Betty clearly had all of the roots to make a great national American titleholder, which lead her to join her first pageant in 2013. Her mother encouraged her to join for the scholarship opportunities, but clearly Betty was meant for much more!
She held two first-runner up positions in preliminary pageants during her early years competing, and then won the Miss Presidential Pathways 2014 as a major title in the Miss Georgia 2014 pageant.
That year she placed as the second runner-up at Miss Georgia with a vocal performance as her talent and representing the platform Healthy Georgia, Strong America.
Won the title of Miss Warner Robins 2015 where she advanced to the Miss Georgia America 2015 pageant. Betty then went on to win the Miss Georgia 2015 pageant on June 20, 2015.
Betty was awarded $15,000 in scholarship money, plus a Kia Sorento during her reign. Betty excelled in talent, evening wear, and on-stage question, making her an excellent, and well-prepared candidate for the upcoming Miss America competition.
This is all very impressive for a country girl who never saw herself becoming a pageant queen! It was Betty’s mom who encouraged her to compete, which ultimately led her to compete at Miss America 2016.
Listen to today’s episode to learn more.
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Jackie Watson is the woman we are going to be taking a look at today, which some of you may know as the Director of the system USA National Miss.
Jackie Watson is a natural leader as she spent years directing a state pageant, which she founded. Now running for 9 years, the USA National Miss Systems is one of the highest regarded national pageant scholarship systems in America. Jackie prides her brand on advocating for positive pageantry who loves God.
This national pageant director started her involvement in pageantry as a pageant mom.
Jackie’s daughter, Kayla, started competing in pageants when she was 7 years old and this kick started the families pageant journey. She saw the fellowship and personal development that pageants provided to young girls, like her daughter, and loved every part of it.
While she enjoyed the aspects of pageantry from the stance as a pageant mom, she could not help but notice a void in the industry. She felt that pageants lacked a unique quality about them that could really help girls and women excel in their pageant and personal lives. “What was missing was character development, service, and an elevated experience”, she says.
Listen to today’s episode to learn more.
This week’s featured spotlights are:
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