Heather Hopkins has had a pageant career spanning the better part of a decade, only recently coming back into the fray after taking a three year break.

She has her eyes set firmly on the Galaxy system and loves to keep herself busy in between her shift work for the police and making appearances all over the UK.

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INTERVIEW REQUESTS

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Joanna Johnson is the first international queen I've interviewed who had just handed over her title (only two weeks ago at time of recording).

We talked about the highlights of her reign, what she plans to do with herself both in the pageantry world and life in general, and a lot of random banter about things... like our mutual love for cheese.

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INTERVIEW REQUESTS

• https://www.thepageantproject.com/content-lounge/#interview-request

Pageantry isn't always sunshine and rainbows, but have you ever noticed how rarely negative experiences are brought up or discussed in public?

If you plan on being in pageantry for any considerable length of time, the question isn't WHETHER you'll have a negative experience. It's what will you do WHEN you have a negative experience.

For this episode we were lucky enough to be joined by Miss Australia Continents 2018 Gemma White.

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FOLLOW RACHEL

• https://www.facebook.com/rachelgallaghermodel/
• https://www.instagram.com/the_rachg/

FOLLOW RUBY

• https://www.facebook.com/MissAuIntl2019/
• https://www.instagram.com/missauintl2019/

FOLLOW GEMMA

• https://www.facebook.com/gemmawhiteofficial/
• https://www.instagram.com/gemmaaa_white/

INTERVIEW REQUESTS

• https://www.thepageantproject.com/content-lounge/#interview-request

I get the feeling Danielle Latimer didn't spend much time sitting still as a kid: dancing, cheerleading, playing dodgeball... any excuse to get out of homework basically.

Now as Ms London Galaxy 2019 and with almost ten years experience under her belt, the self-confessed travel addict has her eyes set on the big prize.

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FOLLOW DANIELLE

• https://www.facebook.com/MsLondonGalaxy/
• https://www.instagram.com/mslondongalaxy/

INTERVIEW REQUESTS

• https://www.thepageantproject.com/content-lounge/#interview-request

So you want to enter (or re-enter) pageantry, but how do you pick the system that's right for you?

Spoiler alert: there's obviously no definitive one-size-fits-all answer, however we cover some things you should definitely look for when on your quest for pageant nirvana, as well as some of the things to avoid.

We also have a heart-warmingly awkward moment when Emily Egan (our special guest for this week) explains how she had a complete fangirl moment over Ruby.

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FOLLOW THE PAGEANT PROJECT

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• https://www.thepageantproject.com/

FOLLOW RACHEL

• https://www.facebook.com/rachelgallaghermodel/
• https://www.instagram.com/the_rachg/

FOLLOW RUBY

• https://www.facebook.com/MissAuIntl2019/
• https://www.instagram.com/missauintl2019/

FOLLOW EMILY

• https://www.facebook.com/emily.egan239
• https://www.instagram.com/emilyeganinsta/

INTERVIEW REQUESTS

• https://www.thepageantproject.com/content-lounge/#interview-request
  

• 0:40 48 PAGEANT QUESTIONS
• 5:52 127 PERSONAL QUESTIONS

I wanted you to have a resource you could take with you to practice interview questions on the fly: whether you're travelling, got a bit of downtime or really want to get the interview portion of your pageant DOWN 🙌 

Reading a question yourself is OK, but let's face it, that's not how it happens on the stage or in the interview room.

For that reason, I also strongly recommend you video yourself answering these questions so you can not only hear how you sound, but also observe your body posture and any unusual tics you might have with your hands, feet etc.

Also, for that reason I recommend videoing full-length, not just your face and hands.

A mirror will do at a pinch. If you're daring, try answering in front of a group of people and ask for feedback (but I do think YOUR OWN feedback on yourself is the most important).

Answer these questions in any order you like!

To keep it spontaneous, I suggest you click on any time in the video, listen to the first question and answer that one!

Try it with your teammates and see how you go.

PS I will record these super quickly as there are SO MANY questions. You can pause the video after every question to give yourself time to answer of course.

PPS you can get the entire list of questions from the Pageant Planet by subscribing to their email list.

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE for more amazing pageant-related content! 

FOLLOW THE PAGEANT PROJECT

• https://www.facebook.com/thepageantproject/
• https://www.instagram.com/thepageantproject/
• https://www.thepageantproject.com/

INTERVIEW REQUESTS

• https://www.thepageantproject.com/content-lounge/#interview-request

**WARNING: SOME EXPLICIT LANGUAGE IN THIS EPISODE**

I am ALL for positivity. I say make positivity LOUDER.

Having said that, there are times, in my opinion, when simply being positive isn't enough and you need to take some sort of action that may not intially be considered 'positive'.

I've met many of my best friends through pageantry.

There are also some deep-rooted problems in the Australian pageantry system: egos and bullying to name two.

I could sit on the side. Turn a blind eye. Man it would be easier if I did that.

But I decided that giving a voice to the voiceless and making pageantry a safer/better place for contestants was the reason this platform should exist.

Let me know your thoughts on info@thepageantproject.com and remember to SUBSCRIBE for more real and unbiased pageant content!

Topic sent in by Emma Connor:

---

I would love the topic of appearance to be discussed 🙌🏻

Why does it seem that have long lucious hair seems to be 'preferred'?

Why aren't small tattoos acceptable?

Size/weight still seems to be an issue :/

Why isn't the delegates community/charity/volunteering work looked at more when crowning a new queen, still seems there is a certain 'type' of delegate always chosen :(

WE NEED TO SEE MORE CURVY BEAUTY QUEENS 🙌🏻🥰♥️😘

---

Remember to SUBSCRIBE for more pageant-related content and features!

I wanted to open up the discussion about the Australian Golden Sash Awards and whether you thought they were a positive or negative thing.

From the feedback I've received from this live, both publicly and in private, I feel most people are, at best divided, about these awards, but given it's only in its second year, I think I'll reserve judgement for now.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and remember to SUBSCRIBE for more pageant-related content and features!

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL

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INTERVIEW/COLLAB REQUESTS

·         https://www.thepageantproject.com/content-lounge/#interview-request

At the tender age of nineteen, Rachael Evren has already been competing in pageantry for seven years.

She recently captured her first international title in the IJM system which had somewhere in the vicinity of three hundred contestants.

We answered a bunch of viewer questions in this interview as well as covering the differences Rachael sees between Australian and American pageantry.

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to this podcast for more pageant-related content!

TIMESTAMPS

· 1:49 Pageant history

· 3:45 How can I enter IJM?

· 4:09 Nerves when entering the huge IJM system (300+ contestants)

· 5:27 Biggest supporter

· 5:54 Top tips for entering IJM Team Australia

· 7:57 IJM age groups

· 8:59 IJM compulsory and optional categories/sections

· 10:05 Do you feel pressure representing IJM?

· 10:42 Seven years of hard work

· 11:33 Confetti cannons

· 12:15 Best opportunity so far from winning IJM

· 13:00 Titleholder plans

· 14:50 What set you apart in the judges’ eyes?

· 15:51 Why did you choose IJM over other systems?

· 16:59 Favourite memory from competing in IJM

· 18:00 Did you ever lose hope competing in pageantry?

· 19:10 Hardest moment in pageantry

· 22:22 Legacy

· 23:30 How can we make Australian pageantry more mainstream?

· 24:46 American pageantry vs Australian pageantry

· 28:09 Plans for the rest of your reign?

· 31:20 Tall girl problems

· 32:38 Favourite pageant memory

· 33:30 Future plans outside of pageantry

· 35:49 Balloon phobia

· 36:41 Biggest challenge facing young Australian women today?

· 37:55 What advice would you give your younger self?

· 39:57 Social details

· 40:33 Ten questions with Rachael Evren

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

· https://www.instagram.com/thepageantproject/

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INTERVIEW/COLLAB REQUESTS

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FOLLOW RACHAEL

· https://www.instagram.com/rachael_evren/

· https://www.instagram.com/ijminternationalteen/

· https://www.facebook.com/ijminternationalteen/

a21 CAMPAIGN

· https://www.instagram.com/a21/

Maria Torres’ journey in pageantry begun when her mother entered her in a pageant without her permission. It didn’t take long for Maria to catch the pageant bug.

Fast forward to today and she is the CEO of Galaxy Pageants, hosting delegates from all around the world: Australia, New Zealand, India, the UK and of course the US.

Maria is also the first Pageant Director I’ve interviewed for The Pageant Project and, given how many people tuned in for the live and left messages of love and respect, I feel it was a solid choice!

TIMESTAMPS

· 1:41 Maria’s start in pageantry

· 6:35 Journey to Galaxy CEO

· 10:45 Respect and love as a Director

· 14:30 Legacy – single mothers and more

· 17:08 Best part about being an international Director (Scottish accents)

· 19:40 Pork roast, rice and beans

· 24:06 Favourite pageant memory

· 28:03 Advice for prospective Galaxy queens

· 35:45 The most difficult part of being a Director

· 39:03 Vision for Galaxy in ten years

· 40:12 What are prelims and why are they necessary?

· 44:56 Advice for new Directors

· 45:33 Advice for those new to pageants

· 47:24 Tips for first-time Galaxy contestants

· 48:49 Advice for dealing with pageantry stereotypes

· 50:16 What makes Galaxy stand out from other systems?

· 53:16 Runway tips – what NOT to do

· 54:41 Ten questions with Maria Torres

· 59:56 How are judges chosen?

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE for more pageant-related content!

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL

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INTERVIEW/COLLAB REQUESTS

· https://www.thepageantproject.com/content-lounge/#interview-request

FOLLOW MARIA

· https://www.instagram.com/missgalaxypageant/

· https://www.facebook.com/GalaxyPageant/

As I mention in the intro to this podcast, I was attending a pageant that I’ve been to several times over the years, and I couldn’t help but notice how much smaller the audience had gotten since I’d first attended.

This should be worrying for a multitude of reasons.

If pageantry is supposed to be about women’s empowerment, then pageantry should be a massive growth industry given how hot a topic women’s empowerment and gender equality are at the moment.

So why are audiences shrinking?

Why are participation rates declining?

Both of which mean entry costs and costs for the audience are increasing.

I decided I needed to get other people’s perspectives to have any chance of understanding what was going on and to have any chance of fixing it.

TIMESTAMPS

· 0:00 Intro

· 4:58 Panel introductions

· 7:22 Jellybeans of death

· 8:58 Outlining the problem with Australian pageantry

· 11:12 Highs and lows for the panel

· 31:06 Why are pageantry numbers declining?

· 41:32 The panel defines women’s empowerment

· 46:19 Do the panel consider themselves feminists?

· 53:00 What is the biggest challenge facing young Australian women today?

· 1:10:19 The panel’s social details

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE for more pageant-related content!

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL

· https://www.instagram.com/thepageantproject/

· https://www.facebook.com/thepageantproject/

INTERVIEW/COLLAB REQUESTS

· https://www.thepageantproject.com/content-lounge/#interview-request

FOLLOW RACHEL

· https://www.instagram.com/the_rachg/

FOLLOW RUBY

· https://www.instagram.com/missauintl2019/

· https://www.facebook.com/MissAuIntl2019/

FOLLOW MADDY

· https://www.instagram.com/maddymay/

FOLLOW SARA

· https://www.instagram.com/sarajanecopeland/

There were more than a few people who were unhappy when Sarah Marschke was announced as Miss World Australia 2019. 

Did they have a point?

Let me know what YOU think in the comments below. Keep it respectful!

Monique Shippen is a teacher, musician, singer-songwriter and fervent advocate for causes such as the environment. Not only is she a National Finalist for Miss International Australia 2019, she is also the current reigning Miss Earth Australia.

I caught up with the talented Monique near her home on the Northern Beaches, with less than a week to go before MIA 2019.

TIMESTAMPS

· 1:09 Monique’s start in pageantry

· 3:53 Battles with confidence

· 5:29 Finding voice through music

· 11:41 Purpose behind competing in Miss International Australia

· 15:35 Love of helping others

· 17:44 The Filipino love of pageantry

· 21:30 Monique’s social details

· 22:15 Shipp vs Shippen

· 23:09 Ten questions with Monique Shippen

WHAT TO DO NEXT

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FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL

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INTERVIEW/COLLAB REQUESTS

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FOLLOW MONIQUE

· https://www.instagram.com/moniquecharlotte_/

· https://www.facebook.com/moniqueformia2019/

Sydney resident Sara Copeland is a relative newcomer to the pageant scene having competed in the Miss World Australia NSW Preliminaries and now being a National Finalist for Miss International Australia 2019.

For this interview I caught up with Sara near her hometown of Manly with approximately a week to go before the big event.

TIMESTAMPS

· 1:22 Formative years in Manly

· 3:31 Miss International Australia

· 8:59 Pageantry background

· 12:50 Love of animals

· 16:57 Plans for the future

· 18:00 Mental health advocacy

· 20:56 Sara’s social media details

· 21:16 Ten questions with Sara Copeland

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Make sure to SUBSCRIBE for more pageant-related content!

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL

· https://www.instagram.com/thepageantproject/

· https://www.facebook.com/thepageantproject/

INTERVIEW/COLLAB REQUESTS

· https://www.thepageantproject.com/content-lounge/#interview-request

FOLLOW SARA

· https://www.instagram.com/sarajanecopeland/

· https://www.facebook.com/sara.copland

Jazmine Alessio is your typical extraordinary girl next door balancing her pageantry with work, family and soon to be study.

She advocates for The Heart Foundation after losing her grandfather to a heart attack and also has a small boutique business Easter Hats That Sparkle!

TIMESTAMPS

· 0:54 Pageantry background

· 5:30 The Australia International Pageant system

· 7:46 Jazmine’s sister queens

· 9:19 Jazmine’s special relationship with her mum

· 11:17 Advocacy for The Heart Foundation

· 18:00 The hardest lesson learnt from pageantry

· 19:24 The biggest issue facing young women in Australia

· 20:32 Jazmine’s YouTube channel

· 21:49 The quirky side to Jazmine Alessio

· 25:35 Jazmine’s special blanket

· 26:55 Jazmine’s social details

· 27:39 Ten questions with Jazmine Alessio

FOLLOW JAZMINE

· https://www.facebook.com/jgamodel/

· https://www.instagram.com/missteenausnswintl2019/

· https://www.facebook.com/Easter-Hats-That-Sparkle-1394639380575591/

CONTACT US

· https://www.thepageantproject.com/

· info@thepageantproject.com

INTERVIEW REQUESTS

· https://www.thepageantproject.com/content-lounge/#interview-request

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Maddy May has definitely been through her fair share of tough times. And then some.

I’ve always said adversity builds character. People who have depth rarely achieve it easily.

The thing that struck me most about Maddy was that she was able to retell the stories of the ordeals she had been through without getting choked up, and to me that means she’s truly been able to overcome them.

TIMESTAMPS

· 1:13 Maddy’s pageantry experience so far

· 3:33 Negative education experiences

· 11:46 The Royal International Miss System

· 17:32 A snapshot of a crazy life

· 18:50 Goals for the future

· 21:04 Modelling career

· 25:31 Hobbies and downtime

· 26:16 Legacy

· 28:55 Contacting Maddy

· 29:23 Ten questions with Maddy May

CONTACT MADDY

· https://www.instagram.com/maddym.rimaustralia.miss/

· https://www.instagram.com/maddymay/

· https://www.facebook.com/maddymaymodel/

CONTACT US

· https://www.thepageantproject.com/

· info@thepageantproject.com

INTERVIEW REQUESTS

· https://www.thepageantproject.com/content-lounge/#interview-request

If you enjoyed this interview, remember to subscribe for more pageant content!

Releasing this at the same time that Krysta Heath is literally in the air flying to Cambodia to represent this great country of ours in Miss Planet International.

I cannot think of anyone I'd rather have representing our country. I've often told Krysta that she's the one pageant girl I never have to worry about because she's so level-headed - nothing ever seems to faze her or get her down for long.

Go Speedy and we'll be watching and supporting you from afar!

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:57 What Krysta's been up to since our last interview
• 6:00 Miss Planet Australia
• 11:00 Work with children
• 14:09 Experience with bullying
• 17:43 Pageant prep
• 21:26 Acting & the AACTA awards
• 27:44 Contacting Krysta
• 28:15 Final ten questions

FOLLOW KRYSTA

https://www.facebook.com/Krysta-Heath-2116214215272988/

https://www.instagram.com/krysta_heath/

FOLLOW US

https://www.instagram.com/thepageantproject/  

https://www.facebook.com/thepageantproject/  

INTERVIEW/COLLAB REQUESTS

info@thepageantproject.com

Kim Gundani is one of the most well-spoken queens I've interviewed, as well as being fierce and singularly determined. The only weakness she seems to have is for anything technology-related!

I interviewed the Miss Grand Australia title-holder a few days out from her travelling overseas to represent Australia on the international stage for the first time.

CONNECT WITH KIM

https://www.facebook.com/kgundani

https://www.instagram.com/kimberlygundani/

FOLLOW US

https://www.thepageantproject.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thepageantproject/

https://www.instagram.com/thepageantproject/

https://anchor.fm/the-pageant-project

If you enjoyed this interview, please subscribe and leave a comment below - it really helps us out.

 What is there to say about Alicia Van Schoonhoven that I haven't said already? This is our third pageant interview, she's the original Ambassador for The Fear to Freedom Project and a close personal friend.

Beautiful on the inside and the outside, a proper queen in every aspect.

CONNECT WITH ALICIA

• https://www.facebook.com/aliciajvs/
• https://www.instagram.com/aliciajvs/
• https://www.aliciajvs.com/

FOLLOW US

• https://www.instagram.com/thepageantproject/
• https://www.facebook.com/thepageantproject/
• https://anchor.fm/the-pageant-project

INTERVIEW/COLLAB REQUESTS

info@thepageantproject.com

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