Last week, a post popped up on my Facebook page with words that were all too familiar for those of us who have stepped on a sparkly stage. I didn't know Meg before I read her post, but immediately reached out to connect because she voiced another perspective to the journey beyond the crown that my journey isn't able to touch on. I asked Meg if I could share her letter on my blog - when you read it, you'll understand why.

Have you ever walked away from a competition feeling so hot with anger you could spit fire? Mad enough to scorch anyone who dared to look your way? I've certainly been there. For those new to my blog, a brief glimpse into my journey - I competed seven times for the title of Miss Kansas, encountering every possible obstacle and setback. I was top 10 three years in a row, then I didn't place at all, then I was 1st runner up, then I was 3rd runner up and thought I aged out, then

Dear Pageant Parents (and really anyone who has contributed to a young woman's journey), First off, let me start by saying, you're doing a great job. You've raised a daughter who has the courage, determination, and grace to step onto a pageant stage, and that in itself is a victory.

It's that time of the year again: state pageant season. Whether it's your first time stepping on stage or your seventh (like my last one...!), it can feel like a whirlwind of emotions and preparations. Trust me, I've been there. From my first pageant to my journey to becoming Miss Kansas, I've learned a thing or two about surviving this intense (and rewarding) season. So, buckle up, grab a cup of your favorite tea (mine's lemon and honey), and let's dive in!

I'll never forget the days leading up to each of my pageant competitions when doubt crept in, whispering in my ear that I didn't belong on that stage. With just a couple of weeks to go before the state competition, my brain would start to play tricks on me, as if I really had time to change anything or back out at that point... right?

We are right  in the middle of state pageant season! If you're new here - that means that the local pageants are complete, titles have been awarded, and women across the country are in their final countdown to step on their state pageant stage and vie for their chance to represent their state at Miss America or Miss USA. This weekend was a big  one for state orientations and spring meetings across the country where all of the girls get together and size each other up while al

It's that time of year when state titleholders are doing their final photoshoots and the beginning of the end starts to really feel real. The farewell photoshoot is a benchmark moment in a titleholder's reign that represents the transformation from the freshly crowned girl, full of eagerness and spring-like energy, to a woman who has served her state and community and is proud of the legacy she has built and is ready to punctuate this chapter with an epic photo to capture

Last night, I had one of those "oh my god, I'm going to be T W E N T Y N I N E" moments where I didn't totally know how to process it. Society tells me I'm wilting away with it being the last year of my twenties - my brain spiraled with thoughts of, "Have I achieved enough? Am I where I should be in life? When is the last time I got Botox... is it time again?" - I literally googled yesterday (unrelated to that string of thoughts) "Average net worth of a 28-year-old" to see if

This year, I watched the first night of preliminaries on the live stream, then watched the second prelim night and finals live and in person - so I think I got a pretty thorough experience from all viewing options! Okay - let's dive in.

One of my favorite things during Miss America week is seeing all the supportive posts on social media hyping up our girl with testimonies, reflections, special memories, and the unwavering belief that she is going to represent our state well.

If you were born in the last five decades, you hopefully remember the movie “MEAN GIRLS,” the classic where we follow Regina George as she reigns as the leader of her clique — “The Plastics.” With her posse of other mean girls in tow, her aim is to have everyone turning on one another, coining the release of the term… “mean girl.” I will save you the play-by-play, but the titled term is one that’s often used to describe girls who are bullies, spread rumors, or make nasty comm

This blog is peeking behind the pristine red curtain and addressing some raw feelings that are not uncommon but are uncommon to openly talk about in the world of crowns and gowns. So if you’re in for that ride - let’s dive in…

When I started competing, it was just assumed that you were coached by the local director who you happened to win a title for. You worked with them because, obviously, they were tuned into pageants and the system they're working with. If you were more competitive, you could choose who you wanted to work with because you went into that local with a solid chance of winning. However, especially when you are just starting out, you are just trying to get a ticket to the state leve

Most of the women who have worn the crown will tell you that there are far more instances that we have "lost" than we have "won". If you know my story, you know that I competed 7 years in a row to ultimately become Miss Kansas, shot my shot at Miss America, and then I put my hat in the ring one last time at Miss Kansas USA, and guess what? I didn't win.

Your Goal Should Not Be "To Win"... Yep, you read that right. I don't want your only goal to be "to win". Sure, that can be one of your goals going into your competition, but I don't want that to be your only goal.

When I first started competing in pageants, I had no idea what my “why” was. It’s funny because I think everyone expects there to be this big, grandiose reason for why I decided to start competing and they’re always a little shocked when I say, “I don’t know”. Looking back on my pageant infancy, I probably would have told you I started because of the crowns, or dresses, or being around friends. Now that I’m seasoned in this community, there are aspects of the competition tha

Sports and fitness are 100% foreign to me, I’ll just be straight up honest. ^ not an athlete  I come from the theater world, performing arts, so I was never into the sports scene. I totally rooted for the KU Jayhawks, but I had no idea what was going on in the game. I vaguely remember trying to do swimming lessons but even that wasn’t for me; they had to put me with the kindergarteners in the fifth grade because I had to actually learn how to swim before I could keep go

Ahhh motivation. Where is it? How do we get a piece? It’s so hard to find sometimes, isn’t it? It’s no different in pageantry because you literally have to rely on yourself to get what you need. You rely on yourself to do the work when nobody’s watching, to go on stage knowing you put in all the prep work you possibly could have, and knowing that you are the person you have to answer to when you walk across that stage. You have to rely on yourself to take care of your body an

I have been competing in pageants for over a decade of my life. When I was 14, someone in my community helped out with a local pageant and I remember her saying, “you’re already involved in your community, you’re already in theater, you have talent, you’re a good student, let’s find you a dress and get you on stage!” Needless to say, I was hooked, and the rest is history! I started out competing in the teen division in Virginia for a handful of years but after moving back to

Blog Written by Annika Wooton Why  you do something is just as important as HOW or WHAT you do. That’s always been my belief. It’s the fuel that goes behind everything. The thing that gets you out of bed on those terribly cold winter mornings and the reason for all those late nights and jam-packed schedules. In my own experience, it’s been the thing that single-handedly picked me up when I got knocked down, made me come back for more when I fell short, and had me putting on a