Q: Chelle from The Winey Mommy asked me: Okay, I had no idea you were in pageants. I love Toddlers & Tiaras and Little Miss Perfect. Are those shows accurate in showing their viewers what pageants are really like? Or do the highlight the really over the top parents?
A: I was a pageant queen for about 7 years. I was a competitive dancer for many years, and through the competitions, got introducted to modeling, and pageants. I won my first pageant at age 12–Miss NJ National Pre-Teen! I got the chance to compete at the National competition in Orlando, and landed a spot in the Top 10. The entire experience was thrilling, and it spurred my interest in the Pageant system. I entered loads of small-scale competitions, and even won a few more serious ones, such as “Miss NJ Teenager.” I was drawn to pageants because they were a huge boost in my confidence. What you see on TV–between the moms and the little girls–is NOTHING like my experiences in pageants. Sure, there were always a few of those over-the-top ones in the bunch, but that certainly wasn’t how my mom or I behaved. I actually love pageants so much & see how beneficial they can be for young girls that I’d consider entering my daughter in them {if she had her own interest in doing them!} Heck, I’d even consider entering the Mrs. New Jersey Pageant, if and when I rid my a$$ of its cellulite. There just ain’t nothing beautiful about that!
Q: Angie from Seven Clown Circus asked: I want to know you favorite memory as a child.
A: My favorite childhood memory is dancing school. I spent HOURS there each week, and dancing was my life. I danced in my dreams, my bedroom, while showering–you name it! I didn’t even know that girls played sports because all I ever did was dance. I had a second family at the studio, & taking classes was more than just classes. I had two amazing teacher for many years–they made it a point to teach us life lessons and not just about dance, which I think made us all better performers. I believe that my passion for performing is what attracted me to certain aspects of my life right now–from the leaderships role that I take in volunteer positions and even to blogging.
Q: B from Life in the BAT Cave wants to know: If I handed you $5,000 and said do with it what you like, what is the first thing you’d do?
A: I’d site down with a piece of paper and write a list! I think way too much when it comes to spending money. It just doesn’t burn a hole in my pocket like it used to! I struggle with the whole need vs. want issue. I’m not overly frugal–trust me, I know how to spend money–but there is something so nice about having a nest egg, too. So, if you gave me $5000, I’d likely save half of it and spend the rest. But only after my purchases were well thought-out!
Q: One of my closest friends & reader, Toni, asked: If you and your closest friends could go away for the weekend where would you go and why?
A: I have some amazingly fun close friends, so as long as we were all together for a weekend, I really wouldn’t care if it we were sitting in a hotel in the next town over because I know we’d have a blast. As long as there were no kids. or husbands. or computers. or housework. or schedules. I’d be game! But, if I you put a gun to my head and I had to choose….I’d like to be sitting on a beach with a cocktail in hand listening to some live music playing in the background while checking out some good old-fashioned eye-candy! Yum Yum.
and last but not least…
Q: Mellisa from Getting All My Ducks in a Row wants to know: What would I do for a Klondike bar?
A: I have to wonder if the amount of crunches and cardio I’d need to do to work it off would not be worth it!
Would you like me to answer your question? Comment below & I’ll post my answers next Saturday!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
These were great!
I loved this! I loved the questions and answers, too. I had to wonder if they picked the over the top ones for the shows. I definitely see how much they could benefit a young girl–and how awesome is it that you did so well!
xo
I was a pageant girl too once upon a time, and i think those shows give pageants a bad name. I never behaved like that, and never really encountered any girls who did. I’ve thought about entering the Mrs. “Wherever we are living when I get back in shape” pageant. And I would be the same way about $5000. I would be too ‘frugal’ to spend any of it
I never really understood the whole pageant scene; I do think the fact that you started at 12 is much better than what we see on Toddlers and Tiaras! I’m glad it was a positive experience for you.
I’m such a Scrooge, I’d probably spend 500 and bank the rest!
LOL! My cousin is all about some pageants. She put me in a bunch when I was little-they’re great for learning stage presence and self esteem as long as parents don’t go overboard.
My cousin is now Mrs United States!
Dee, that’s great for her! Wow! Thanks for sharing!!!