The MISS ALASKA USA® Pageant and MISS ALASKA TEEN USA® Pageant is independently produced by Simply Stunning, LLC, under license from IMG Universe, LLC.  Official Preliminaries to the MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA®, & MISS TEEN USA® and all variants thereof, the “Woman with Stars” Logo & crown designs are all trademarks & copyrights of IMG Universe, LLC.

HISTORY
MISS UNIVERSE® and MISS USA® began in 1952 as concurrent events in Long Beach, California. The competitions moved to Miami Beach, Florida in 1960. In 1965, the two competitions became separate live television specials and since 1972 have been telecast from exotic locations around the globe.   The MISS TEEN USA® competition debuted in August 1983 in Lakeland, Florida and is the premiere event for teenage women. Since its inception, the competition has traveled to exciting U.S. cities.

HOW OLD ARE THE COMPETITIONS?
The Miss Universe and Miss USA competitions began as concurrent events in 1952 in Long Beach, California. Miss Teen USA made its debut in 1983 in Lakeland, Florida.

ARE THE NATIONAL PAGEANTS HELD IN A DIFFERENT PLACE EACH YEAR?
Now they are. When they were initiated, the Miss Universe and Miss USA competitions were held in Long Beach, California. Eight years later in 1960, the two competitions moved to Miami Beach, Florida, where they remained until 1971. Since 1972, they have been separate live television specials that are telecast from different locations around the country and the globe.

HOW ARE THE SITES CHOSEN?
The Miss Universe Organization works throughout the year with private enterprise, State and City government officials and, in the case of the Miss Universe competition, with foreign governments to establish the Host Site for each production. The city or country offering the optimal venue and support to the organization is chosen.

HOW MANY WOMEN COMPETE?
In the case of Miss Universe, between 75 and 85 countries send a candidate to compete. For Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, 51 contestants participate in the competition.

ARE THERE AGE REQUIREMENTS?
Yes. Miss Universe and Miss USA contestants must be at least 18 years of age and under 27 years of age by January 1st in the year they hope to compete in the Miss Universe or Miss USA competition. Miss Teen USA candidates must be at least 14 and under 19 years of age by January 1st in the year they hope to compete in the Miss Teen USA competition.

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WHAT CAN I DO TO BEST PREPARE FOR THE PAGEANTS?

A contestant should understand the values of The Miss Universe Organization and the responsibilities of the title. She should be able to express what her personal and professional goals would be during her reign. Consider the below when competing at the state and/or national level.

• Describe what your aspirations are and why you are competing for a title.

• What have you done in your community to show leadership?

• How would you use your title to impact society? 

• What social group would be your focus and why? 

• How would you help solve issues in the world, not just in your home country?

• How can you make this world a better place if you were crowned?

Contestants should also discuss preparing for the pageants with their country or state directors as they have a wealth of information, contacts and referrals. 

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CAN A CONTESTANTS COMPETE MORE THAN ONCE?
Contestants may compete more than once in the state competition, but only one per year. However, you may only compete in Miss Universe and Miss USA once. Miss Teen USA may compete in Miss USA but only after her reign has ended and after she has reclaimed her state title.

ARE CONTESTANTS REQUIRED TO HAVE A COACH?
No. While some feel more prepared when they work with an experienced person who can give them tips on competition, many women have won titles without any outside training. Candidates also turn to their state and national directors for assistance as the directors are experienced in providing effective counsel about the competition. Generally, state and national directors provide contestants with the confidence and experience needed to compete.

CAN CONTESTANTS BE MARRIED?
No, contestants may not be married or pregnant. They must not have ever been married, not had a marriage annulled nor given birth to, or parented, a child. The titleholders are also required to remain single throughout their reign.

HOW DO CONTESTANTS GET TO THE NATIONAL COMPETITION?
For Miss USA and Miss Teen USA some cities and all states have preliminary competitions, which are produced by local and state directors. The winner of the city competition goes on to compete in the state event for her home city; state winners go on to the national competition. However, a delegate may enter a state competition without having won a city title. Miss Universe contestants must win their respective competitions to compete in the contest. In the case of the United States, Miss USA goes on to represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant.

 

WHAT IS THE MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION LOOKING FOR IN A CONTESTANT?

A contestant must be confident. She must be able to demonstrate authenticity and articulate her ambitions as a titleholder. The competitions showcase and evaluate the contestant's aspirations and are judged by accomplished business leaders, philanthropists, and public figures.

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WHAT DOES MISS UNIVERSE, MISS USA AND MISS TEEN USA DO AFTER THEY ARE CROWNED?

After a winner is crowned, she is relocated to New York City where she will meet her new Miss Universe family. Through the organization, the winner is provided a platform for possibility based on her objectives for the year. Alongside The Miss Universe Organization, she will plan how to achieve her goals on the national and global scale.

WHO TELEVISES THE COMPETITIONS?
The Miss USA and Miss Universe competitions broadcast live during prime time.

WHO PRODUCES THE LIVE TELEVISED EVENTS?
The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® specials are produced by the Miss Universe Organization.

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WHAT ATTIRE IS NEEDED TO COMPETE FOR THE STATE PAGEANT?

INTERVIEW ATTIRE, OPENING NUMBER (DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED), SWIMSUIT (MISS), ACTIVEWEAR (TEEN), AND EVENINT GOWN