• A look at what it takes to stand up on stage and wear a crown

Beauty pageants have long been a platform where poise, talent, and beauty converge. 

The glitter and, well, pageantry that comes with a pageant can often leave people thinking that beauty pageants are superficial. But behind all that glitter and glam lies a world of intense preparation, dedication, and personal growth that is often overlooked by the public. 

To many, especially those who compete, these contests represent more than just a showcase of physical beauty; they are a celebration of confidence, intelligence, and empowerment. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Brunch, pageant veteran and Miss Earth Sri Lanka 2015 Winner Visna Fernando explained that competing in a pageant was a journey that began long before the stage lights were up and a model walked on stage. 

“It is hard work,” she said. “Some believe that your physical appearance alone is enough to become a beauty queen. However, your appearance is only one [major] factor in beauty pageants. Beauty alone is not enough as you need to represent your country globally, and in order to do that, you need to conduct yourself well, possess a good understanding of the world, and have the ability to lead.” 

From a pageant perspective too, the narrative has shifted to become more holistic than focus on physical beauty alone. 

“Pageants no longer take just looks into account. Although this was the case earlier, now even locally, they consider looks, education, and personality,” beautician and Mrs. World Sri Lanka National Director Chandimal Jayasinghe said, adding that components such as personal interviews and other achievements could count for more than 50% of a contestant’s final score. 

Far more than skin-deep

The journey to becoming a pageant winner starts with the development of various skills, each critical to standing out in a sea of competitors. From mastering the perfect walk to nailing the interview round, every aspect of a contestant’s persona must be honed to perfection. 

Competing in a pageant demands an immense commitment to self-improvement, building discipline, and learning to present yourself with grace under pressure. 

While the physical component does play a vital role, pageant mentor, model agent, trainer, and BK Model Management and Brian Kerkoven Academy Founder Brian Kerkoven shared: “It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling good, too.” 

Brian explained that physical fitness went hand in hand with mental well-being, and therefore, contestants were encouraged to cultivate a positive mindset, essential for handling the pressures of competition. Contestants invest countless hours in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and skincare routines.

Models mentored by Brian have gone on to win and rank highly at pageants and competitions all over the world including (to name a few) Miss World, Mr. World, Mr. International, Miss Grand, Face of Asia, Miss Earth, and Supermodel International. 

Outside the physical, public speaking and overall comportment are other critical areas of focus. The ability to articulate thoughts clearly and confidently is often what sets the winner apart. 

“The interview round can make or break a contestant’s chances and is perhaps the most critical because it is here that judges get a glimpse into the contestant’s personality, intellect, and worldviews,” Brian said. He added that he trained his models extensively in public speaking, often participating in mock interviews to prepare them for the tough questions posed by judges.

Maintaining grace under pressure

A pageant typically consists of several segments, each designed to test different facets of the contestants’ abilities. The evening gown round, for example, is not merely about showcasing a beautiful dress; it’s about how the contestant carries herself with elegance and poise. The swimsuit round, often misunderstood, is less about physical appearance and more about the confidence a contestant exudes. 

On the day of the competition, contestants must present themselves as the best version of who they are. This involves not only looking their best but also embodying confidence, poise, and charisma. The pressure is immense, but this doesn’t take away from the experience. 

“It’s a great experience as we get to deal with different people nationally and internationally who come from very different backgrounds to ours,” Visna said of what it was like to compete in a pageant. 

“Being in a pageant also teaches you about punctuality and respecting others’ time. You have to be a team player while doing your best to highlight your country, as at the end of the day, a pageant is a competition. It’s a great opportunity to experience at least once.” 

It’s also a very rewarding journey in terms of personal development, both in part because pageants themselves often organise personal development workshops and programmes for contestants, and because it is also a chance for contestants to explore themselves independently. 

Face of Asia 2018 Winner and Siyatha Mr. World 2024 First Runner-Up Isanka Pramuditha spoke with Brunch about how pageants gave contestants the chance to develop skills. 

“It’s a great learning experience. With Face of Asia, we were there for 45 days as a group. We had daily training programmes on things like fitness and how to walk, alongside personality development and skill building. Being part of the final show was also incredible. 

“I had never been on a stage like that before in my life and this whole competition happened entirely in Sri Lanka.”

While competing in a pageant can be an incredibly rewarding experience, it is also important for potential contestants to be wary of how and where they compete. For instance, Chandimal explained that there was now an increasing number of pageants taking place, and not all of them were legitimate. 

“There are now a lot of fake pageants, pageant holders, and directors. Globally, these pageants often have no standing,” he said, adding that in his view, there were very few pageants of global standing, perhaps less than five. 

“These other pageants often do not follow processes and procedures in the same way international pageants would. Therefore, it is important for contestants to look at which pageants are recognised, what their history is, and the organisers before auditioning.”

Chandimal also strongly urged those looking to compete in pageants for the first time to also work with a reputed school or mentor on aspects such as how to walk, stand, and sit in order to put themselves on a more level playing field with other more experienced contestants.

It doesn’t end with winning the crown

Winning a pageant is often seen as the culmination of all the hard work, but for the crowned winner, it is just the beginning of a new journey. The responsibilities that come with the title are immense and the winner must be prepared to embrace them fully.

So Brunch asked the question: what does a pageant winner do? 

Visna shared her experience, stating: “Winning the crown gave me the opportunity to work on causes I’m passionate about. We get to use our voices to take meaningful messages to society. It’s a responsibility I take very seriously. 

“When I won Miss Earth Sri Lanka, I started working for environmental sustainability by taking part in projects which focus on that area. Likewise, when someone becomes a beauty queen, they get to choose an area where they can give back to the society we live in.” 

This sense of responsibility is a common thread among pageant winners, who often dedicate their reign to charitable work, public speaking, and community engagement. Brian also explained further about what a pageant winner did, noting that especially if they were a winner of a global crown, they received the chance to contribute heavily to causes championed by their organisation. 

As a titleholder, a pageant winner becomes a public figure and a role model. They are expected to carry themselves with dignity and grace, both on and off the stage. This newfound status brings with it a platform to advocate for causes close to their heart. Many pageant winners become ambassadors for social issues, using their influence to raise awareness and effect positive change in their communities.

Pageants build more meaningful societies

While the glamour and recognition that come with winning a pageant are significant, the personal growth that contestants experience is perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the journey. Competing in a pageant is a transformative experience, one that pushes individuals to step out of their comfort zones, develop new skills, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves.

Pramuditha reflected on this aspect, noting: “The journey of preparing for a pageant is one of self-discovery. You learn a lot about who you are and what you’re capable of.” 

This growth is not limited to the duration of the pageant but continues long after the competition is over. Many contestants carry the lessons they’ve learnt into other areas of their lives, whether it is their careers, personal relationships, or future endeavours.

Brian echoed this sentiment, adding: “Whether you win or not, the experience itself is invaluable. It builds confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose.”

On the key advice he would impart to those considering competing in a pageant, Brian stressed that it was important to dispel the notion that competing in a pageant was easy. 

“It’s very hard work. You also have to think of which pageant you’re interested in competing in. If you take Miss World or Miss Earth for example, contestants are supposed to have started organisations of their own and done projects that relate to what the competition stands for. It’s not something you can wake up and do one week before the show. You have to show what you have achieved and what good you have done.” 

Pageants are often misunderstood as superficial contests focused solely on physical appearance, but the reality is different. The journey to the crown is not easy; it demands hard work, dedication, and a willingness to grow. In the end, a pageant winner is not just the winner of a contest but a symbol of what can be achieved through determination, grace, and a desire to make a positive impact on the world.