Pageants & Prosecco

🌟 Meet the Diverse Selection Committee for Miss Universe 🌟

Get ready, beauty enthusiasts! The stage is almost set, and the anticipation is building as in this episode we go over the stellar selection committee for the upcoming 72nd Miss Universe pageant.

This year, diversity takes center stage, with a panel that's as unique and dynamic as the incredible contestants we've seen so far.

🌈 **A Tapestry of Backgrounds:**

From social media influencers to seasoned doctors, former Miss Universes to fashion icons, public relations powerhouses to former Miss Universe hosts, and the melodious voices of renowned singers – this panel is a vibrant tapestry of expertise and experience. Each member brings a distinct flavor to the table, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation of the incredible talents on display.

🌍 **A Global Mosaic:**

Our judges' backgrounds span the globe, representing various communities, perspectives, and walks of life. Embracing LGBTQ advocates, education enthusiasts, style mavens, and more, this diverse ensemble promises a scoring system that transcends bias, celebrating the multifaceted beauty that defines our world.

🎤 **The Power of Nine:**

What sets this panel apart is not just their individual brilliance but the collective synergy of nine remarkable individuals. This unique assembly guarantees a holistic and non-biased approach to scoring, ensuring that every facet of the contestants' brilliance is acknowledged and celebrated.

🌐 **Stay Connected:**

For all the latest updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and exclusive content, make sure to visit our official website:

Breaking News: Miss Universe Organization Files for Bankruptcy! What's Next for Contestants?

🌟 Big News Alert! 🌟 In a shocking turn of events, the Miss Universe Organization has filed for bankruptcy in Thai court. But fear not, beauty pageant enthusiasts! In this episode, we've got the inside scoop on what this means for the future of the iconic pageant.

📜 We'll dive deep into the letter sent to shareholders, decoding the nitty-gritty details and shedding light on how the pageant industry is undergoing a major transformation. Get ready for some game-changing insights!

👑 Plus, we'll explore the impact on the current contestants who are battling it out in El Salvador. What challenges do they face, and how will this bankruptcy affect their journey to the crown? Join us for a riveting discussion on the ever-evolving world of beauty pageants!

🔍 Stay tuned, hit that subscribe button, and let's navigate through the twists and turns of this pageant rollercoaster together. Don't miss out on the exclusive details – this is one episode you won't want to skip! 🌎👸 #MissUniverse #PageantNews #BankruptcyUpdate

FROM THE VAULT!

Born and raised in Hawaii, Chelsea is an ocean lover, outdoor and fitness enthusiast who recently is expecting her first baby in May! 

As a former division I volleyball player at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Chelsea won her first title ever as Miss Hawaii USA 2016 and placed first runner up at Miss USA in Las Vegas. Chelsea has since moved from LA where she had a thriving career in fitness and lifestyle modeling and now lives in the Pacific North west with her husband and toy poodle.

Chelsea has turned her passion for health and fitness into her full-time career with her own online coaching program, the Miss Fit Program, where she has helped hundreds of ladies from pageantry to busy moms, help reclaim their health and live their best life possible.

Originally recorded in 2019

www.PageantsAndProsecco.com

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Who do you have winning Miss USA this year? I can tell you my picks, first we have .... NOPE. You have to tune and and find out. It's really a toss up between four major states for me but I think we may make history with this year's winner.

She will either make history as being the second person from her state to win. Or she will make history as the FIRST person from her state to win. Or she will make history as another person from THIS state to continually place as a semi-finalist.

But either way, she will be fabulous. If you are a loyal listener than you know one thing about me... I DON'T MISS. I can spot out a winner from a mile away. Believe me when I say MY top 4 picks are it for sure. There's two states in particular who I can't split the crown over. I would be happy with either.

This definitely got me excited!! I will keep you all updated with continuing coverage for the next two weeks of all things Miss USA. I think this is going to be a transformational year.

What does this mean?

ANY WOMAN is now eligible to compete for Miss USA and Miss Universe regardless of parental/relationship status and now age holding her back. This new was just announced during the Tanner Fletcher's Spring 2024 show titled "Beauty Queen" during New York Fashion Week.

What an amazing surprise for so many in retirement and who moved on to pursue love and a family. This is a pretty radicial time to be living in and I can't wait to talk about all of this in this episode with you.

Grab your glasses, Pageant Peeps! It's a goodie in this episode waiting on you.

FROM THE VAULT - Hey Pageant Posse!

As I was looking through my drafts and cleaning them up, I came across this beautiful episode featuring Larissa Maner, the Owner of Shimmer Boutique in Lewisville, Texas. I had the opportunity to work in her shop and learned so much when it came to not just running a store, but merchandising and gown fitting. SO MANY pageant girlies from the South flocked to her store and drove hours just to hear her vision and ideas for the national gowns. She truly knows what she is talking about when it comes to finding the perfect national gown. She's worked with thousand of girls and majority of them won either their respective titles or walked away with the evening gown award which in itself is a huge feat.

Trust me when I say even though this episode is from 2021, there is SO MUCH GEMS she drops that are so relevant to today. So definitely grab your glasses and sit back to enjoy this episode featuring the Fairy God Mother of Pageant Gowns, Larissa Maner.

Congratulations! Despite the controversy surrounding her national win, R'Bonney went out there tonight and truly did what she needed to do. There's no doubt that she killed her performance and won Miss Universe. Was I still pulling for a Puerto Rico win? Yes and I'm sad she was left out of the Top 5. This is a prime example of what's for you will not be taken away. 

These are my initial thoughts of the #MissUniverse competition and I will make a new episode as more chit chat is heard surrounding this. There's so many layers here to unpack and I hope I covered most of what I witnessed during the show tonight.

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Tyler currently works at a one of the Top 5 major financial institutions in the world where she manages digitization initiatives.  Of which include, both corporate and commercial businesses expansion projects using financial technology (Fintech) integration. Having worked with multiple Fintech based-startups and doing presentations on cashless business and branded currency globally, She has had the privilege of assisting smaller financial institutions organize and execute digital transformations.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language and Culture with Applied Business and a minor in French and has her Masters of Business Administration in International Business from the University of Madrid. As a classically trained violist, self-taught guitarist and global outdoor adventurist (who once traveled across the Australian Outback) living abroad in European countries and fluently speaking three languages provides her with a global perspective on life which is greatly benefited her personally and professionally.

As an engaged member of the Chicago community, Tyler is on the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra Board, a volunteer with the Chicago Chapter of Junior Achievement and a longtime supporter of Seeds of Knowledge in Atlanta, Georgia. Currently, she is the reigning Miss Earth Illinois USA 2021 and look forward to broadening her philanthropic involvement in the near and distant future through this platform.

**TRIGGER WARNING** -- abuse, domestic abuse

With more and more stories coming out about women who are in abuse situations like Gabby Petitio and are afraid to leave, I wanted to bring the story one famous Miss America, Carolyn Sapp to light. Crowned Miss America 1992, she was a ball of fire the night she won and although her free-spiritness rubbed some of the Miss America staff the wrong way initially, she was prospering in her life and the cameras were drawn to her. She held three local titles in Hawaii previously and was a well-known local celebrity prior to winning in Atlantic City. Her fame led her to meet her a love interest during a charity event. In the next two years, they were engaged then separated after an unnerving career change in her then-fiance led him to spiral out of control. 

Hear how Carolyn became not only an literal overnight victim of the press when her past resurfaced, but how she handled herself in face of controversy and took on the media head first.

Hello World Cup of Pageantry Day! The Olympics of beauty, poise and grace. We have made it to Miss Universe Sunday and today we are getting a new Queen! 

Admittedly this day caught up with me so quickly but nonetheless, I am ready with my Shiraz to share my picks for who our new Miss Universe will be. As you know, I don't miss!! Grab your glasses and recap the prelims with me and I narrow down my favorites for the crown. Some of these women are definitely bringing it and stand out above the rest. 

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Cierra is a motivational speaker and fourth-generation female entrepreneur who is the co-owner of Cierra’s Corner with her mother & owner of Cierra Jackson Consulting. Cierra’s Corner is a 2nd generation women-owned business, established in 1994 specializing in women & children’s apparel and pageant & evening wear. At Cierra Jackson Consulting, Cierra aids her clients by building their talents, skills, forge strong community partnerships, meaning platforms, and iconic brands that leave lasting impressions.

Miss Jackson is a proud alumna of two women’s colleges, Spelman College and Yale University’s Women’s Campaign School and is the fourth of, now, eight women in her family to attend Spelman College. She is also a third-generation HBCU (Historically Black College & University) Graduate. Selected as both a White House and Capitol Hill intern, Cierra served as the only White House intern in her class to serve the Chief of Staff’s office during the Obama Administration.

Cierra is also an accomplished singer who has not only worked in the White House, but has performed there, too. Cierra, who has also served as a TV host, has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Essence, MSNBC, Washington Post, Bossip, People and on First Lady Obama’s Instagram and service campaigns.

Cierra was crowned in the Bahamas and proudly reigns as the current Miss Black International Ambassador.

She has also previously reigned as:

• Miss Phi Beta Sigma of the Chi Chapter at Morehouse College, having won as a Freshmen having only been on campus for 2 months

In the Miss America Organization, she reigned as:

• Miss Brookhaven, Georgia, where she placed in the Top 12 at Miss Georgia
• Miss Rome, Georgia, where she became the First African American Miss Rome
• Miss Columbus, Georgia, her hometown pageant and her first time Winning a Local Title & Competing at a State Competition with Natural Hair
• Miss District of Columbia, where she won the Swimsuit Competition at Miss America, became First Miss District of Columbia to Win title with Natural Hair, trended online for competing with Natural Hair and became the First woman to compete with an Afro at Miss America.

She was also crowned:

• Miss District of Columbia USA in the Miss Universe Organization, where she placed Top 15 at Miss USA, became the First Woman to Win the DC Miss America & Miss USA titles, individually & conjunctly with Natural Hair and became the Longest Reigning Miss District of Columbia USA

Cierra has also served as an ambassador for two nonprofits, Running Start and She Should Run, where she encouraged and trained young women from all over the nation (and even in Iceland!) to run for political office. Cierra founded, It’s Her Power, which aims to encourage women and girls to redefine leadership, especially as politicians, and men to use their power to advocate for the advancement of women and girls.Through It’s Her Power, Cierra leads unique programing like the It’s Her Power Conference & I am Royal Tea, an exclusive invite-only event honoring leadership, excellence, performing arts & the value of community. You can attend these upcoming events and more this Fall!

Well it's been a week since Miss USA but we know Elle hasn't slept much since. 

Here's a recap of the Miss USA 2021 competition and my feedback as a viewer on the new #pageantryreimagined competition. 

Congratulations to Kentucky's Elle Smith who became the 5th woman of color to win the coveted title in the last few years. We love to see beauty get acknowledged on the national stage. 

Grab your glass for this reaction recap and let me know what was your fave or least favorite moment during this year's show.. 

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I'm so excited to be talking to my former Miss Illinois Earth titleholder and sister queen Kristina Dechev on this episode of Pageants & Prosecco. She's a fabulous model and strong pageant competitor and she knows what she's talking about! 

Kristina is a two time Miss Illinois Earth winner during 2018 and 2020. At the time of this taping, which is now up on Youtube if you want to watch the video instead, she was busy preparing to compete for Miss Illinois USA 2021 representing as Miss Oakbrook USA with her platform “You are Enough”. 

Her goals with her platform, is to focus on women’s development and creating mentorship opportunities. In just three months, Kristina had the ability to mentor over 200 women in her community and across multiple states. Her partnership with Ambassador Queens United has allowed her to reach an even wider audience of women who need guidance in their early modeling and pageant career. 

As Miss Illinois USA 2021, Kristina strives to reach over 3,000 women and help them develop their image and self-esteem to be “Confidently Beautiful”. Grab your glass and tune in! This will be a goodie!

Are you interested in competing for Miss Illinois Earth USA? Apply today! We are looking for women between the ages of 5 and 59 years old!

Who do you have winning the Miss Universe 2021 competition? I can tell you who were some of my instant favorites from an analysis of their official headshots. See if we have the same contestants lined up for the crown! I'm super confident in my picks, are you? Stay tuned for more Miss Universe coverage.