Is there more to pageantry than beauty and sequins? As the 25th anniversary of “Miss Congeniality” approaches, pageant contestants continue to challenge public conceptions and prove that competing isn’t about looking good.
A study by researcher John A. Smith (2018) found that Miss America Pageant contestants “have been negatively stereotyped socially for their perceived lack of intelligence and nonconformance to feminist gender stereotypes of women.” Miss America is an annual competition and scholarship program for women in the United States ages 18 to 28.
Even though the film pokes fun at pageant competitions, it reveals the internalized misogyny that Sandra Bullock’s character, Gracie, confronts after entering into a pageant as an undercover FBI agent and the truth surrounding societal prejudices.
Gracie is apprehensive after undergoing a “transformation” that takes her from a grunge, masculine style to a stereotypical image of a beauty pageant contestant. Her transformation includes straightened hair, a full body wax, full face of makeup, heels, a tight-fitting halter dress and a diet. Throughout the rest of the film, however, she learns to embrace her femininity after she makes connections with the other contestants, who defy her own expectations, having a range of personalities.
Costume designer Susie DeSanto’s biggest challenge when working on “Miss Congeniality” was searching for evening gowns. However, she found a store with many one-of-a-kind dresses so each contestant would have a distinct look for the evening gown scenes. Visual distinctions between each woman attracts the viewers’ attention to each contestant and draws them in to discover what makes them all unique.
While pageants are often portrayed as superficial or nonconforming to feminist ideals, Miss Indiana University Scholarship Competition organizers say the competition is about personal growth and self-expression. IU junior Victoria Topalov, service chair for Pageantry at IU and a former Miss IU contestant, said she believes wardrobe choices go beyond fashion — they are a reflection of a contestant’s personality.
“When you’re picking, say an evening gown, you’re picking something that you want to show your personality through, your style. A more glittery dress shows a more open, boisterous, bubbly side,” Topalov said. “It shows how you’re emphasizing your femininity, you’re emphasizing your body, like, I’m confident in how I look. You feel beautiful.”
The costume design had an intentional transition throughout the film as well. Gracie’s first dresses are over the top and humorous, but by the end, the elegant and romantic wardrobe reflects her newfound confidence. In “Miss Congeniality,” Gracie’s pageant wardrobe wasn’t about conforming to beauty standards but about embracing confidence in her own way. The film shows viewers that change doesn’t mean losing yourself, it means finding yourself in the process even when it seems scary.
IU senior and Pageantry at IU President Landee Wasson, said she had a similar perspective about clothing choices meaning more than just looking pretty. Wasson said a highlight for her every pageant was seeing how contestants found their confidence in their outfits.
“The whole thing is about emphasizing your confidence that you have in yourself,” Wasson said. “It’s not about how pretty the dress is, it’s about how you hold yourself when you’re walking across the stage.”
The comedian group of moms performed stand up comedy in Bloomington on Tuesday night.
Miss IU is split into different stages, including an opening act, talent, interview, fitness and evening wear. Contestants also have a 10-minute one-on-one interview with the judging panel prior to the competition. Freedom to embrace one’s personal style for each phase allows contestants to have authenticity and challenge the idea that pageantry is strictly conformative.
“This year, we’re having people do black cocktail attire for our opening number,” Wasson said. “So, that’s another chance for people to show off their style, their personality.”
Personal presentation is about more than appearances — it’s about feeling confident in what you wear so you can focus on the competition and perform at your best.
“If you show the judges that you’re really uncomfortable and not feeling yourself, how do you expect to be comfortable representing a title?” IU sophomore Alexia Intravaia, secretary for Pageantry at IU, said.
Prospective Miss IU delegates were offered free workshops on Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 to help them prepare for the competition. Participants could ask questions and practice different aspects of the competition with members of Pageantry at IU. For students who have never competed before, Miss IU pushes them out of their comfort zone. Trying something new, even if it is daunting, creates the opportunity for personal growth and contestants join a network of women in the pageant system.
“It’s a great confidence booster,” Intravaia said. “You learn interview skills and public speaking and stuff like that for the future.”
Contestant guidelines, as well as judging criteria, follow the Miss America Opportunity standards. These procedures tell contestants as well as judges what to look for. Judges shouldn’t vote for someone because they like the dress they’re wearing, nor are contestants expected to wear gowns.
“It can be anything that’s considered red carpet wear. So, if you have a really killer pantsuit or even a tux-style suit, you can wear anything,” Teresa White, faculty adviser of Pageantry at IU and executive director of Miss IU, said. “I think most contestants would tell you they like doing gowns in that phase of the competition, because when do you get a chance to dress up and feel pretty?”
Many delegates will thrift or borrow clothes to compete in. White said it is not about how much you spend but making sure you get what suits you.
The Miss IU competition will be at 6 p.m., Feb. 9, open to the public and free of charge.
