Frequently asked questions
1. What are you looking for?
We are looking for the all-around UNIVERSAL woman.
2. Where will the pageant be held?
Mrs. USA 2020: Feb 25-27 in Colorado
Mrs. Universal: July 17-25 Phuket, Thailand
3.How are we scored? Will there be any deductions?
You are scored a 1-15, with 15 being the highest amount of points earned per judge. There are typically 3-5 judges. Deductions are made for being late past any deadlines, or late to any rehearsals/meetings during pageant week. Additionally, deductions are not made if appearances are not being made during the course of your reign.
4.How do I enter?
Please visit www.mrsuniversal.org/apply-for-2020.html
5.Is there a cost to enter?
Yes, we have to charge a fee for you to enter. There is quite a lot of overhead to put on an event, so registration fees must cover this cost. Additionally, the fees paid also cover expenses to bring in judges, secure ballroom space, pay for videographers/photographers, prizes, sashes, crowns etc...This is why pageants do not offer refunds.
6.Are advertisement pages mandatory?
Yes, but one is usually included in your fee. Extra pages are additional. They are a great memento for you and for your family/friends to keep. We have a high quality pageant magazine that is produced yearly so we highly encourage you to seek out sponsors to make this happen. Pageant Design is our Editor and we will only be using them for design and print. Check out their website! www.pageantdesignsolutions.com/pageant-ads-c1a4s
7.Can a first time pageant entrant win?
Of course!! You won’t know unless you try.
8.Do I have to have a passport to compete?
Yes; There is not one set location in which the competition will be held.
9. Are appearances required?
You are competing to become "the face" of the brand, so it is encouraged to get out and be positively seen as much as you can. One appearance per month is required however. If you are not working that state title, how will you explain to judges about being the perfect candidate for the national title? You are also required to create a titleholder social media page.
10.Is hotel included with our registration fee?
Only for Mrs. Universal in Bali.
11.Do I have to compete for my country pageant?
Yes, if there is a national preliminary, you must compete for that pageant.
12.If I have to relinquish my title before the national or international finals, do I get a refund?
Unfortunately, there are no refunds for anyone withdrawing from the competition. Please make sure that you are able to commit before signing up, or competing for your national or international pageant. If you do not win a state pageant, you are essentially leasing the UNIVERSAL brand. This is why there are no refunds.
13. Once I pay in full, how long will it take to receive my sash and crown, if no preliminary national or state pageant is held? Please expect 3-4 weeks for construction of your sash. Should you need it expedited, a mandatory $50 will be charged. Crowns will be shipped at the same time the sash is shipped. No crowns or sashes are shipped until your registration fee is paid in full. International contestants must provide their own or pay for international shipping. International shipping times vary. Some packages have been quite delayed.
14.What are the phases of competition?
15.Is competing in the international pageant mandatory should I win my national pageant?
Yes, it is mandatory to compete at the international pageant should you win your national title. If you do not, another representative will be chosen and you will have to relinquish your title. Some years the USA national pageant/international will be held together. It will always be posted on the website as to what is happening.
16.Do I have to pay for my own airfare?
Yes. The only exceptions are if your national or state director pays for you.
17.What kind of head shots have to be submitted?
For our annual pageant magazine and for our website, only high resolution, color photos will be accepted, and they MUST be on a white background. This means that they must be at least 2MB in size. Nothing of a lesser quality will be and can be printed, or used. You may however submit other photos if you are applying to be a contestant.
18.I want to become a director, is there a fee?
Yes, all directors, state and national must pay a franchise fee in order to legally run a business using our branding to make money. Please visit: www.mrsuniversal.org/directors.html
19.What functions am I allowed to wear crown and sash to?
Most functions will require you to wear a sash, but not all functions are appropriate to wear a crown to. Save the crown for the most important events only. You are not allowed to wear crown and sash and all, or take photos with alcoholic beverages or cigarettes in hand. If you have any questions, please email the pageant office and we can help you.
21.Can I smoke during pageant week?
We highly encourage you all to live a healthy lifestyle. Smoking of any kind is not allowed at all during pageant week.
22.What am I responsible for financially pageant week?
Each pageant can vary, so be sure to read the information thoroughly.
23.Who is allowed backstage?
The only people allowed backstage are official staff. No private hair, make-up, tanning, family, or friends are allowed unless they purchase a ticket to the show.
24.Is there anything that I may lose points for?
Yes; we do not condone bad or late behavior of any kind. If you are late with deadlines, late to practice etc., you will have points docked for doing so.
25.Can my family come for the week, or just for the final pageant?
Your family may choose to come during the week, but you may not have a lot of time to spend with them. We do however always assign at least one evening to spend with your friends and family before the final event.
26.Are services available if I need a last minute touch up (ie: nails, hair, tan, etc...)
We encourage you all to handle these things prior to leaving for pageant week. If necessary, we are able to help you find someone, or a business to go to.
27.What is NOT okay to do while wearing my sash and/or crown?
You are not allowed to smoke, drink alcohol, or curse while representing the brand.
28.Am I allowed to acquire sponsors for my entry fee?
Yes, we highly encourage you to obtain sponsors as it makes things less stressful if you cannot do it all yourself. This is also a tax deduction for businesses.
29.Should I win the national or international pageant, how long after am I required to start making appearances?
Within 30 days
30.Am I allowed to be seen with queens from other systems, or take photos? (Ie: at events, official appearances etc...)
YES! We highly encourage our queens to be open and accepting of all people and pageant systems. There’s nothing better than a group of empowered women joining together and becoming one for a great cause. Would a real Queen or King refuse to take a photo with another Queen/King just because (s) he rules another country? No. Comradery is very important in this pageant system and we are confident in our own branding that we don’t worry about these things.
31.Do you offer any workshops prior to the competition?
We are working on a pageant boot camp for our USA contestants next year!
32.Am I required to have a titleholder page on social media?
Yes. We understand that not all people are on social media; however, it is advisable to set up a public profile on Facebook or Instagram for advertising. Should you win the state/national/international event, you will be required to take over the official pages. Being on social media raises awareness for your cause and for the pageant itself.
33.Am I allowed to wear my sash after I give up my title?
No. You should only wear your UNIVERSAL sash during your title year. Please be respectful to the other titleholders during their reign. You would want them to do the same. Only in special cases you may be allowed to wear it. You must get permission from pageant headquarters to do so.
34.If I am an at-large titleholder and I don’t win the national/international title, can I compete in another pageant after?
Yes, you may. Your title is officially up the morning after pageant finals, but only after you have officially left the hotel.
35. If I am approved to be a contestant, how soon is a deposit due? How about the remainder? Can I pay in full?
You must immediately make arrangements for recurring monthly payments, or you may pay in full, which is highly encouraged.
36. How do I make payments?
The pageant office will set up an invoice for you. A secure website will log your credit card information and store it for monthly payments. You do not need to worry about making payments as it will be automatic.
37. How soon will I know if I was selected? Will I get an email if not?
Due to the high volume of entrants, only those selected will get an acceptance email. Please allow 7 days.
*I understand that by submitting the online application and accepting the state title, I must abide by all rules set in place.
We are looking for the all-around UNIVERSAL woman.
2. Where will the pageant be held?
Mrs. USA 2020: Feb 25-27 in Colorado
Mrs. Universal: July 17-25 Phuket, Thailand
3.How are we scored? Will there be any deductions?
You are scored a 1-15, with 15 being the highest amount of points earned per judge. There are typically 3-5 judges. Deductions are made for being late past any deadlines, or late to any rehearsals/meetings during pageant week. Additionally, deductions are not made if appearances are not being made during the course of your reign.
4.How do I enter?
Please visit www.mrsuniversal.org/apply-for-2020.html
5.Is there a cost to enter?
Yes, we have to charge a fee for you to enter. There is quite a lot of overhead to put on an event, so registration fees must cover this cost. Additionally, the fees paid also cover expenses to bring in judges, secure ballroom space, pay for videographers/photographers, prizes, sashes, crowns etc...This is why pageants do not offer refunds.
6.Are advertisement pages mandatory?
Yes, but one is usually included in your fee. Extra pages are additional. They are a great memento for you and for your family/friends to keep. We have a high quality pageant magazine that is produced yearly so we highly encourage you to seek out sponsors to make this happen. Pageant Design is our Editor and we will only be using them for design and print. Check out their website! www.pageantdesignsolutions.com/pageant-ads-c1a4s
7.Can a first time pageant entrant win?
Of course!! You won’t know unless you try.
8.Do I have to have a passport to compete?
Yes; There is not one set location in which the competition will be held.
9. Are appearances required?
You are competing to become "the face" of the brand, so it is encouraged to get out and be positively seen as much as you can. One appearance per month is required however. If you are not working that state title, how will you explain to judges about being the perfect candidate for the national title? You are also required to create a titleholder social media page.
10.Is hotel included with our registration fee?
Only for Mrs. Universal in Bali.
11.Do I have to compete for my country pageant?
Yes, if there is a national preliminary, you must compete for that pageant.
12.If I have to relinquish my title before the national or international finals, do I get a refund?
Unfortunately, there are no refunds for anyone withdrawing from the competition. Please make sure that you are able to commit before signing up, or competing for your national or international pageant. If you do not win a state pageant, you are essentially leasing the UNIVERSAL brand. This is why there are no refunds.
13. Once I pay in full, how long will it take to receive my sash and crown, if no preliminary national or state pageant is held? Please expect 3-4 weeks for construction of your sash. Should you need it expedited, a mandatory $50 will be charged. Crowns will be shipped at the same time the sash is shipped. No crowns or sashes are shipped until your registration fee is paid in full. International contestants must provide their own or pay for international shipping. International shipping times vary. Some packages have been quite delayed.
14.What are the phases of competition?
- Fitness
- Formal Gown
- Interview
15.Is competing in the international pageant mandatory should I win my national pageant?
Yes, it is mandatory to compete at the international pageant should you win your national title. If you do not, another representative will be chosen and you will have to relinquish your title. Some years the USA national pageant/international will be held together. It will always be posted on the website as to what is happening.
16.Do I have to pay for my own airfare?
Yes. The only exceptions are if your national or state director pays for you.
17.What kind of head shots have to be submitted?
For our annual pageant magazine and for our website, only high resolution, color photos will be accepted, and they MUST be on a white background. This means that they must be at least 2MB in size. Nothing of a lesser quality will be and can be printed, or used. You may however submit other photos if you are applying to be a contestant.
18.I want to become a director, is there a fee?
Yes, all directors, state and national must pay a franchise fee in order to legally run a business using our branding to make money. Please visit: www.mrsuniversal.org/directors.html
19.What functions am I allowed to wear crown and sash to?
Most functions will require you to wear a sash, but not all functions are appropriate to wear a crown to. Save the crown for the most important events only. You are not allowed to wear crown and sash and all, or take photos with alcoholic beverages or cigarettes in hand. If you have any questions, please email the pageant office and we can help you.
21.Can I smoke during pageant week?
We highly encourage you all to live a healthy lifestyle. Smoking of any kind is not allowed at all during pageant week.
22.What am I responsible for financially pageant week?
Each pageant can vary, so be sure to read the information thoroughly.
23.Who is allowed backstage?
The only people allowed backstage are official staff. No private hair, make-up, tanning, family, or friends are allowed unless they purchase a ticket to the show.
24.Is there anything that I may lose points for?
Yes; we do not condone bad or late behavior of any kind. If you are late with deadlines, late to practice etc., you will have points docked for doing so.
25.Can my family come for the week, or just for the final pageant?
Your family may choose to come during the week, but you may not have a lot of time to spend with them. We do however always assign at least one evening to spend with your friends and family before the final event.
26.Are services available if I need a last minute touch up (ie: nails, hair, tan, etc...)
We encourage you all to handle these things prior to leaving for pageant week. If necessary, we are able to help you find someone, or a business to go to.
27.What is NOT okay to do while wearing my sash and/or crown?
You are not allowed to smoke, drink alcohol, or curse while representing the brand.
28.Am I allowed to acquire sponsors for my entry fee?
Yes, we highly encourage you to obtain sponsors as it makes things less stressful if you cannot do it all yourself. This is also a tax deduction for businesses.
29.Should I win the national or international pageant, how long after am I required to start making appearances?
Within 30 days
30.Am I allowed to be seen with queens from other systems, or take photos? (Ie: at events, official appearances etc...)
YES! We highly encourage our queens to be open and accepting of all people and pageant systems. There’s nothing better than a group of empowered women joining together and becoming one for a great cause. Would a real Queen or King refuse to take a photo with another Queen/King just because (s) he rules another country? No. Comradery is very important in this pageant system and we are confident in our own branding that we don’t worry about these things.
31.Do you offer any workshops prior to the competition?
We are working on a pageant boot camp for our USA contestants next year!
32.Am I required to have a titleholder page on social media?
Yes. We understand that not all people are on social media; however, it is advisable to set up a public profile on Facebook or Instagram for advertising. Should you win the state/national/international event, you will be required to take over the official pages. Being on social media raises awareness for your cause and for the pageant itself.
33.Am I allowed to wear my sash after I give up my title?
No. You should only wear your UNIVERSAL sash during your title year. Please be respectful to the other titleholders during their reign. You would want them to do the same. Only in special cases you may be allowed to wear it. You must get permission from pageant headquarters to do so.
34.If I am an at-large titleholder and I don’t win the national/international title, can I compete in another pageant after?
Yes, you may. Your title is officially up the morning after pageant finals, but only after you have officially left the hotel.
35. If I am approved to be a contestant, how soon is a deposit due? How about the remainder? Can I pay in full?
You must immediately make arrangements for recurring monthly payments, or you may pay in full, which is highly encouraged.
36. How do I make payments?
The pageant office will set up an invoice for you. A secure website will log your credit card information and store it for monthly payments. You do not need to worry about making payments as it will be automatic.
37. How soon will I know if I was selected? Will I get an email if not?
Due to the high volume of entrants, only those selected will get an acceptance email. Please allow 7 days.
*I understand that by submitting the online application and accepting the state title, I must abide by all rules set in place.