Anonymous
map-marker Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

National American Miss - Casting Review from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

My daughter got letter in mail. We went to open call interview. Got call 2 day later by Sandy Palgrem herself that she was accepted And even recieved certification and paperwork. That interviewers love my daughter personality. Then got a letter yesterday that is was an error and she was not accepted. We had sponsers and everything and money. All because my daughter aunt works for miss teen. my daughter got denied the opportunity to compete for her dream.
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
6 comments
Guest

Works for "miss teen" as in works for NAM or works for a competitor?

Guest

Interesting because the Director for Colorado and Texas has 2 daughters who won. One of the Daughters now works for NAM as does a sister of the Director, in AZ I think.

Very interesting.

Guest

Count yourself lucky. You saved hundreds of dollars that would have gone to a money cheating company that could care less about your little girl

Guest

I am surprised to read this. EVERYBODY gets accepted from the open calls. Plus, many just pay the fees online and never attend an open call.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-968790

There is a rule that they state that says that anyone who has family working for the company will not be eligible to compete in their pageants.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-968790

I was told it was 60/40. 60% make it. 40% do not.

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Genie Yjj

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker New Brunswick, New Jersey

They are not about your girls confidence, but thier own!!

Our first pageant ever, we were lied to from the very beginning. This will run you close to $600 and that's not including "optional" packages of which if your daughter does not do, lessens her chance of winning. If you can't come up with the rest of the balance, they do not let your daughter participate in the pageant. They don't care, they don't help! They don't even give you a cup of coffee for free!! Oh, and forget about being reimbursed if you already made a deposit. Money Hungry!! One more thing... that trip to Cali, if you ever make it to nationals is NOT paid for... Do not be fooled. they are not about your daughter and building their confidence, they are about building their WALLETS!! Remember, the more advertisement you sell, the more your chances of winning... Disgusting!!!
View full review
Loss:
$135
Reason of review:
Liars

Preferred solution: Full refund

6 comments
Guest

Yes! NAM is a big scam and has been reported multiple times to BBB

Guest

I am agree, I went a open call in Washington state this year 2015, the lady who did the presentation was unprofessional, she said one of the girl during the presentation that she did not qualify to participate in NAM in front of everybody before see the application or go to the interview. What's confident they will build in any girl?

Guest

The optional contest are scored by a completely different panel of judges than the judges for the required ones, so the amount of optional contests done will not affect your overall score.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-949473

Totally not true. All the girls who placed in the top 15 had either placed in a lot of optionals or won at least one of them.

My closest friend there had one the optional talent and got in the top fifteen. Also I would like to note that it is slightly strange they hand the slip of the top 15 AFTER all of the other awards have been given out.

I still love NAM, but now that I see you have to compete and place in a lot of the optional, I'll have to work extra hard to win next year.

Guest

The judges for optionals are a different set of judges then those for the required comps, they are not even allowed in the room during optionals. The fee to get in is $480, the production outfit is $40 and the ticket so that a family member can attend the finale is $15 - total $535 that goes to nam without the optionals. They are not going to tell you how much a dress or hotel room is, that is just common sense.

Guest

Your trip to Cali IS paid for if you win and only if you win. Runner up does not count.

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Anonymous
map-marker Greenville, South Carolina

Pageant title went to money, bling and glitter

Since this pageant was a natural pageant, no bling or make up, a contestant followed the rules to a T but lost to money, bling and glitter. But from the get go, the majority of contestants wore long strands of crystal earrings and necklaces. Some wore pearls. The purpose of this pageant was simplicity and to let the natural beauty of the child shine. This was not the case in Greenville, SC during June 2014 NAM Pageant. Majority of the contestants did not do the "pretty feet" or have eye contact with the judges. As a former beauty pageant judge, I was very disappointed in the judges.They focused on the expensive dresses that valued well over $1,000 with Austrian crystals, pearls, and elaborate hair styles. The girls that did win had been enticed to join the modeling agency and had brought money to the pageant. In other words,you bring the money and you will be rewarded with a title. This particular contestant I spoke of in the beginning of my paragraph, had won last year Top Model and Most Photogenic and her parents had spent close to $3,000. This year her parents did not involve their daughter into the modeling classes, and she won the title for selling the most tickets. Which would only benefit NAM. It is such a shame that this little girl worked hard on poise, charm, grace, stage presentation and really stepped up to the plate and this is not what the judges or NAM is looking for. They want the MONEY and I will not recommend this pageant to no one, unless you want to buy the title. Its all about how much you are willing to pay out for your daughters ability to capture a title.
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14 comments
Guest

100% facts

Guest

Disagree with review. It's an excellent pageant and provides life skills my daughter will use forever.

It's real world, and sometimes yes, it's more about who you are or how much money you have, that's life. I disagree that NAM awards girls who spend the most. Life is just like this pageant. There are mean girls, unfair things happen and you get what you pay for.

My daughter has enjoyed every pageant she has done...14 with this pageant system. Only because she has enjoyed the lifelong friendships, she has met girls from around the country who all aspire to be the best version of themselves...our NAMily. I taught her starting in her princess years, this is not about a crown, and not about winning, it's about the journey and what she and our family make of it.

Respect your opinion. Hope you respect mine.

Guest

I️ don’t necessarily think that nam picks winners based on how much you spend, because I️ have seen many winners that didn’t do any optionals. Vice versa, there were many girls who did a lot of optionals and didn’t place.

Guest

no it's not, u have no idea what u are talking about! National American Miss is so much more!

You gain confidence and public speaking skills, and memories that are beyond measurable. You don't have to pay gallons of money to win, your daughter just has to have the ability to.

Guest

Selling most tickets is an award and it really devalues some of the other earned awards. Having the largest family or most relatives within driving distance of the competition really isn't something to get an award for.

The "cover girl" awards (for selling most advertising) is the worst.

The girl who sells the most ads is automatically in the queen's court and gets to compete at Nationals.

There is a lot of good in the NAM experience, but these two things by themselves aren't cool.

Guest

Yes, NAM is a scam and they change their locations yearly because they consistently get a bad reputation at prior locations. Thank goodness to social media!

Hopefully with enough effort, we can run this company out of business. They don't care about little girls, just their money

Guest

I completely agree with you. My daughter learned only one thing from this pageant.

No matter how intelligent, self-confident, talented or beautiful you are, money ALWAYS wins. They tell you that the girls are only judged on 3 things, personal interview, personal introduction and formal wear. This is not true. The same girls winning were the ones that brought money into the pageant.

There were two divisions for pre-teen, and the differences were unbelievable. They girls that entered the most optional contests and had the most expensive looking gowns were the winners. They spout the same rehearsed speech to the girls at every rehearsal, workshop or orientation. I can't believe they actually believe it themselves.

I asked her about the personal interview and three of the eight "judges" only asked about her taekwondo belt. One of the judges spent so much time asking her a question, she did not have time to answer it. The only talents the judges are capable of judging are singing or dancing. Anything else is ignored, no matter what the pageant people say.

They are only looking for girls that can promote NAM and spend an extravagant amount of money to make them more money. My daughter had more self-confidence before she entered this "pageant" then when she left.

This was the first and last time she will have anything to do with NAM.

Guest

While your frustration is understandable, many fail to realize that NAM is still a pageant. In pageants, everyone is girly and sparkly.

The judges don't know how much a girl spent on her dress. They just see how she wears it and how it fits her. Nonetheless, the dress isn't what wins the pageant. As a pageant competitor, I know that every pageant is won in interview.

While poise and presentation matter, the way a girl speaks and converses is the key factor to winning. I'm sorry you believe that money is the only factor in this system. Yes, sparkly dresses win. That's a fact for any pageant, and National American Miss has never expressed any rules that forbid "bling".

Besides, how does the money a girl spends on a dress relate to the money she gives NAM? I'm pretty sure that money goes to whoever sold the dress...

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-830036

Um, I am sorry, but you clearly have not read the booklets from or participated in the NAM pageant. The thrust of all of the promotional material and rhetoric is NATURAL pageant with a focus in each girl for WHO they are and not what they look like.

PARTICIPANTS ARE TOLD NOT TO WEAR EXTRAVAGANT THINGS DURING COMPETITION AT THE TRAINING SESSIONS. Makeup is discouraged except for *age appropriate* which is subjective anyway. I want to begin by saying that I did participate in the pageant and observed a LOT of disturbing inconsistencies. The pageant is mostly about spending money and earning money for the organization.

Also, the pageant is presented as being FOR ANY GIRL NO MATTER WHAT THEIR BACKGROUND. Even paid extras like photo shoot are advertised as anyone can participate and LEARN how to pose for photos. The whole thrust is for NATURAL and INEXPERIENCED girls to LEARN skills. Sadly, that is not the case with NAM.

Only those who had been through paid training were given any consideration for top positions, and it was openly discussed as such by judges- no secret. Am I angry? No. Was I surprised?

Not really. Would I go again? Most likely not. And for your comment on pageants being won in interview?

In the NAM pageant I personally saw judges call girls by the wrong name, and given only 10-15 seconds to interview while the judges would not even look up or engage the contestant, and then shove them off like cattle. That is not an interview competition. Sorry. Your perception of pageants does not really apply to NAM.

The OP(original poster) was accurate in the description of what I also saw at the pageant.

I am glad I went, it was a valuable lesson in politics and stage experience.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-831915

A judge had the audacity to ask an intelligent teenager who her favorite Disney Princess was. The contestant was shocked because she was prepared for intelligent and relevant questions.

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Anonymous
map-marker Columbia, Missouri

National American Miss overall Pageant

I recently attended our first year's pageant with my daughter and husband the age category was 7-9. First, I would have to say this company is about recruiting girls of all ages and getting money from their parents. Next,with the income NAM makes the hotel's where they have the pageants are very cheap and somewhat outdated. During this whole process only certain girls have a chance at winning girls that know people or that spends a lot of money. While I would assume the pageant is for the girls it seems as though the parents coach and prep their kids to say their speech, but most of them forgot what to say or they are so coached these 7-9 year old girls sound like professors in college. They should say building confidence, self tools and self esteem of their parents not them. I don't think you can expect a 7 year old to speak and have the same poise as a 9 year old, As, for the Winner they choose; its sending messages to the other children if you speak, walk, interact like a trained tool you can be the next National American Miss Queen. I also, have to add that the optionals are less pleasing as they charge $50-$150.00 dollars on optional events only for the same winner to win all or most of the categories which is dishearting for a child to not have a chance at winning and to charge $150.00 for Top Model and get 5 minutes of time is even more concerning and speaks that this company is all about money you don't receive a medal or nothing for even entering these optionals; Lastly the over priced Gift Store yes, we can afford these items and our daughter received them, but for someone less fortunate is sad to over price these items for children wanting something special. Not only do they not even notice your child after the pageant as the director walked right by and not 1 good job for trying they act as though you weren't even there. I have submitted referrals, did I mention that you get a award for the most referrals talking about using out children for your greed is horrible. I have since contacted all of our referrals to let them know the truth about NAM. I'm so blessed my daughter is confident and special to know that she did not want to go back next year and not be affected by the disappointment of not winning anything. They say your child is a finalist but, I have never heard of state finalist being 140 children to me it was another way to make $500,0000. on 1 pageant that has 5 age categories with everyone paying for optionals,gift store and pictures that was $650.00 for a video and CD and a couple of pictures not to mention the group photo wasn't even free $35.00 for a group picture is seriously overrated. I never attend another NAM pageant nor share this company with any of my friends or family. I'm not bitter but only feel the right to tell the truth.
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Loss:
$2500
5 comments
Guest

Yes, I have seen the same girls win the different contests over and over. However, there are different crews of judges and I do not believe anyone is paying off anyone or knows anyone or anything like that.

Yes, it is normal that a 7 year old will not be as experienced at some things as a 9 year old, but the contest itself is an experience.

The 7 year olds, especially that make friends with the 9 year olds learn a lot. Sometimes the younger kids do win (and the 9 year olds learn something).

Why do the same kids seem to win over and over?

Some girls are just coming in better prepared.

Guest

I completely agree. We were extremely disappointed by this organization.

The staff doesn't wear badges to identify themselves and the whole weekend was chaotic and disorganized. 2 judges actually left during the pageant and didn't come back until 15 contestants later

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1068200

Do you not get tired of sounding like a broken record? Out of the 75 comments I've read, your repeated trashing of this organization is getting a bit old.

I think we got it the first (twenty) times. Find a new soapbox.

Guest

I found your post very helpful. I will be including this link in my upcoming pageant book.

Can you contact me? I can't leave too much info here. Thanks!

Anna Stanley 619-248-****. Or email astan33@***.com

Guest

Did you make a type-o on the cost of the video/DVD/2 photos package? Seriously, $650????

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Briseida Rwr
map-marker Rochester, New York

Do not do it.

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
Well for starters, it's not judges just on the three categories. I nailed my personal introduction, I slipped during my formal wear but recovered perfect, even the queen said so. My interview went amazing. I gave full answers and details! The same girls got top ten as usual. The best part of it, the girl who won, her dad is a WELL known member of the mafia. She placed in everything she did. She messed up in her introduction as well. But yet, a perfect score. I received my final scores as well and the best thing is... I scored lower than last year, my first year! Somehow my second year I did worse than my first year! The judges just said I was confident and had a nice outfit. Not even "maybe the formal dress was too long" nothing. I would of liked feed back about the "negative" as well. So I know what to improve on. I entered photogenic as well and that score wasn't even on there! The girl who won also won photogenic even though her photo was the same pose as mine. If you don't do all optionals you have a very slim chance of winning. 2k+ for a rigged pageant? No thanks NAM, you've received enough money from my family, community and myself. Honestly, don't get in to it. It's ridiculous.
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8 comments
Guest

Not to be rude. But I think that means you should go to a fake pageant where you pay for your title.

NAM is meant for girls who work very hard in training and who doesn’t type something bad about the organization to ruin their reputation. Just keep your thoughts to yourself honey.

If you want, you can share them with someone who is mean and cruel just like you. NAM IS A GREAT ORGANIZATION!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1390044

Sounds like a troll for NAM. It's rigged for sure.

Judges gotta make money somehow so they make deals with the "coaches". I can't wait till someone exposes them and sues and shuts down this toxic event.

Guest

What were your scores?

Guest

Yes!! NAM is a big scam!

They will take, take, take your money and give your little girl nothing but a broken heart.

This is not a reputable pageant. This company has been repeatedly reported to the BBB

Guest

Girls first of all learn how to write. If you do not know how to spell or write a complete sentence it could be a pretty good reason why you do not come off well in a pageant.

My daughter entered NAM last year for the first time and yes it is pricey but with effort I do believe anyone has a chance at placing and if it is their night winning. By the way she came in 4th runner up out of 120 girls.

The fact of the matter is any pageant is based on subjective judging; this is NOT like other competitions where you win based on a time or points scored by crossing a finish line. In pageants it is a human being judging and every single human is different from the other.

Therefore, what I may like you may not.

The object of being in pageants should not be winning but learning to present yourself with grace, poise and class. None of which seems to be present in some of these comments.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-997156

If you're going to critique the writing ability of a young girl, you should spend a little more time improving that skill for yourself. I will provide you with some valuable edits to your unkind comment.

This will help you present yourself with grace, poise, and class as you attempt to humiliate and discredit young girls in the future:

Girls,

First of all, please learn to write. If you do not know how to spell or write a complete sentence, you may not present well in the pageant. My daughter entered NAM last year for the first time. It is pricey, but with effort I do believe anyone has a chance of placing; if she is having a good night, she may win!

(By the way, my daughter came in 4th runner up out of 120 girls!)

It is a fact that all pageants are based on subjective judging. Pageants are not like other competitions where contestants are awarded based on time or points scored for crossing a finish line.

The purpose of participating in a pageant should not be winning, but learning to present yourself with grace, poise, and class.

In my opinion, these comments are not demonstrating pageant skills.

Best of luck being cruel and unkind to young women!

Guest

Same thing happened to me and I enter every optionly . In my 2 year did worst over all but did but did better in the requirements but worst in optionsly . And the Winner been in the pageant five year and just won and the year before the that won had been in the pageant five years and won three times and princess jr *** and *** and that's becaue after u win u can't complete in the same cart ogre and so many other bad things

Guest

My daughter entered one optional and only one entry...first time ever in a pageant, and won her state. I don't think optionals are necessary.

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Anonymous

Review

ONE WORD, TERRIBLE. I will never do national american miss again. I competed in *** for my state and when we went to registration my mom ended up paying $200 extra for "fees"! Also the lady checking us in was very unprofessional. She kept laughing and joking with the guy next to her about the "cheap" parents and girls. Later that evening the pj party happened and a lot of girls were in their own groups with their own friends not caring about all the other girls that were alone, like myself. The next day I attended orientation and then rehearsal for the group dance being preformed at the finale. After that we had a lot of hours to chill out so that's what we did. When it was time for formal wear I went downstairs with my parents and it was the most unorganized, terrible thing ever! The girls were everywhere around the hallways! No workers to say where to go. Then finally after about an hour a worker came and got us in line. Then we did formal wear and personal introduction. After that it was the end and the finale was tomorrow so I went back to my room. Fast forward to the next day to the finale. We were all dressed in our dresses and it was time of awards. I entered in three optional contest and didn't win or place in any of them, which I felt was unfair because a girl that got 3rd place in spokesmodel kept looking down at her paper and even stopped talking for a second, while I said all my words while not looking at the paper and having eye contact with the judges. I did make it to top 15 though. All the girls that make top 5 I felt did not deserve it and keep it mind all the girls that made top 5 had been competing for 4+ years. The girl that won queen should not have won. She didn't bond with any girls doing pageant weekend. I didn't even notice her until they called her as the winner. Message of the day: the longer you do NAM, the more money you spend, the better your chance of winning. Please don't be like how I was reading these reviews thinking these people are just mad, THEY ARE ALL REAL REVIEWS! It was my first time doing NAM and last time, I will never ever do NAM AGAIN! And please don't spend 2k on this pageant like I did, you could be using that money for a vacation. There are many other less expensive pageants. TRY THEM AND DO NOT DO NAM!
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1 comment
Guest

Yes!! We had a very similar and disappointing experience.

This company was very unprofessional and did not teach the girls any skills. Do not be naive, your daughter was not nominated, they obtained her name and targeted her for money

Anonymous
map-marker Richmond, Virginia

National American Miss - Dishonest Pageant Review from Richmond, Virginia

I spent $2,000+ and walked away with nothing. I went to this pageant with high hopes because it's always been my dream to do a pageant. At the open call they tell you it's 440 dollars which we were ok with, we could no find sponsors so we were okay with paying the 440, when we got there, it was completely different, on top of the 440 you have to pay for opening number shirt and it comes with a bracelet and necklace which heightens the price, the hotel cost and and bunch of other cost they don't tell you about. There are also the optionals which is you don't have to do but if you don't, you will not win. We only had enough for one optional (as we are not a rich family) When we got to the finale the same 5 girls won everything, all the optionals and placed top 5. The girl who won, I later found out she knew the judges and already had a title with another pageant. This was about 3-4 years ago and I'm friends with one of the girls who placed top 5 on facebook. She posted pictures from this years pageant (2014) and the exact same girls were top 5 and the same girl won. They made me not only waste my money but my time, my mom has been turned away from pageants completely and it makes feel bad competing in other ones because they may scam me like this one did. Please save your money, you have a better chance at a cheaper pageant to be honest.
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12 comments
Guest

Valuable blog post , I loved the insight ! Does someone know if my assistant might access a blank a form form to work with ?

Guest

Well, considering I was there and my daughter competed (though did not win, but has before) - these allegations are false. All of the expenses are explained up front.

I knew how much optionals were and hotel and opening number shirt. The year my daughter won - she won nothing else. This year one girl won tons of optionals, but did not make Top 5. Do the girls who keep coming back do well?

Yes,because they learn more each year - just like in sports. You don't expect to play professional sports without years of training.

Guest

If you've never done one before, then you have nothing to compare it too. You can't expect to win against girls who have been doing pageant their whole lives.

And the costs are not hidden, you just don't know enough about pageants to know what the costs are.

$2000 for a pageant is cheap, considering the gowns and outfits and coaching you'll need if you expect to win. Your complaint here sounds no different that a guy who never played football before but always dreamed of winning a Superbowl complaining he didn't win a spot on an NFL team even though he bought the pads and helmet and went to walk-on tryouts.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-959961

Actually, NAM is the most expensive out there. My state's pageant is 500 without optionals.

Miss america's outstanding teen and miss teen usa is only 400 all inclusive, cinderella is 325 all inclusive and All American Girl is only 300 all inclusive. With that, many of our friends love NAM, I just have a hard time seeing why it costs so much more than any other comparable system.

Guest

I have a question, My daughter is going to open call thursday on her bday and she will be 9.. What types of things cost $2000.00 I know there is $440 fee you have to pay, but what is all the rest?

Did any one get sponsors?

if so how do you go to a place and ask to be a sponsor?

thanks for any help...

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-959149

We get sponsors every year. Dance, dentist, friends, bake sale, hairdresser.

We buy gowns on ebay, suits, too. Each optional in 2015 will cost $75 - only do what you really love. Flowers - we don't bother with. Production shirt $40 - it comes with hair bow for younger girls and socks, bracelet, necklace and socks for older girls - to be worn with denim shorts (not too short!) and white tennis shoes.

Hotel is dependant, but you are not required to stay. If you live close enough you can drive or there are other hotels close.

Basic video is $75, and photos are extra - not required. We bring a cooler with food and drinks.

Guest

Ummm, there is NO way for the same girl to win state every year, it would have to be every other year.

Guest

This is true in our state for sure...there is one girl who wins every year back to back to back ...like 9 consecutive including state and national. My daughter...has learned how to handle disappointment with class and dignity...has learned that there are many things in life that are unfair and also that some parents encourage this unfair and selfish behavior...u can have all the crowns in the world...but being a kind and considerate human being is worth more then the crown trinkets. Really sad for that little girl...

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-908185

Not back to back. My daughter is a former queen with NAM and I can tell you they do not allow they to compete the year they are doing a give up. Cover Girls can, but that is an Advertising title.

Guest

1st they do tell you about the production # money! Also I know allot of people who one without doing optionals, and did you rely walk away with nothing?

Didn't you say you made a friend? I did it this year, and won nothing, but I don't get all mad about it I try again!

I also know someone who knew the judges, and guess what she didn't even make it into the top 9!

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Anonymous
map-marker Houston, Texas

Pageants cost money

My daughter was in the last 2014 Texas NAM pageant. All the information was provided before hand. She had to go to local businesses and ask for support. She learned valuable skills to help with her business interview. We did not have the funds to do all the things we wanted and that's where community came in. This is one of the most affordable pageants we found. This was my daughters 1st pageant and she was given most of what she wore(big shinney earrings :)), all the fees for optional contest were from local sponsors. She tried to make "friends" with as many girls as possible and help others to feel comfortable. She won 7 awards and placed in the top 15. I was amazed, and thinking about all the help from our community I was humbled. My daughter was encouraged and developed some skills she needs to fulfill her dreams. She met lots of really cool girls and did pretty well! I know this is not for everyone but I had a blast. Of course, we didn't go to win; after all, it was her first time. It did cost around 2k, all in all, but we have wasted money on eating out at restraunts etc. in 6 months and have nothing to show but at NAM we had an experience with friends, family and community that we will never forget!! My complaint was only with the hotel, they overcharged and extra charged but finally refunded what was due. (and the elevators! stopped working often)
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Loss:
$700
3 comments
Guest

So you have to pay for the hotel and food

Guest

ok. Thinking about things I would change about this pageant.....

1) Scholarships- no more than 1cash scholarship per contestant, that way runners up have an opportunity to come away a "winner" as well.

I witnessed one person take almost all the scholarships awarded. Still, only the winner gets the chance to compete as stated.

2) Report on scores- let the girls know how they "scored" so they are able to make good choices about what they could change if they try another pageant.

3) Website- I had a hard time finding information and leaving comments

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-855406

1) So you're saying that no matter how well a girl does, she should only be awarded once?....

2) They send a score report in the mail about a month after

3) All the info is in the magazines

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Anonymous

National American Miss - Contest Judgement Review

6 year old granddaughter did this pageant and when she walked out on stage for casual wear two of the judges never looked up all the time she was on stage they had their heads down writing. Soy question is how did they judge her fairly? Emailed the home office after the pageant but of course never heard a thing back from them. Now I see why they will not let you videotape because I could of proved a lot to them that weekend!
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3 comments
Guest

Yep, NAM is a big scam. The winner had already been chosen by the amount she paid. They led the girls to believe that they were nominated, but really, NAM bought names of girls from another company

Guest

the only time you are not able to video tape is during the final show you are able to videotape during the optional contests

Guest

that is so true !!! i feel u

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Anonymous

NAM is a blessing!

Two years ago I got my letter for national american miss and found it intriguing so I went to the open call with high hopes and low expectations being that it was my first pageant. Nevertheless I made it so I read every magazine they gave me front and back a million times. I got all but 40$ in sponsors and booked a hotel room right away so that the price was cheaper(the magazine informed me of this) Fast forward to pageant weekend get there and get my shirt(I couldn't sign in yet cause late check in was the next day and I was late.. Oops) anyway got to the PJ party and instantly spotted a few girls I had met from the open call and talked to them and met a ton of other girls and had a blast. I had talent the next day which went okay considering my CD messed up and had to use my phone as backup(also did photogenic) then got ready for formal and intro and it was another great opportunity to talk with the girls. Then we line up and do our thing. So speed threw interview to crowning and I by some miracle got 2nd runner up in both talent and photogenic. But didn't place for a title but I didn't care nor expect it being my first pageant. And from there I was already getting ready for next year. So this year comes around and my state didn't have a pageant so we had the appointed miss program where we write an essay, send a picture, do a phone interview, and fill out the application and a $25 entry fee. And I came out some how with a runner up title. Its all about effort and realizing its about building relationships not a prize collection.
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Anonymous
map-marker Los Angeles, California

National American Miss - Unfair Pageant Review

The NAM pageant in Jacksonville was poorly done, unfair and used judges that had no significant background in pageantry. We had been to to the Orlando NAM pageant before and the difference was stark. DONT go to Jacksonville North NAM as it was a poor excuse for a pageant. If you do NAM in Florida, go to Orlando as it is professionally done and a much better experience. Sadly, Jacksonville reflects poorly on a genuinely fine pageant.
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2 comments
Guest

The 2015 NAM pageant in charlotte was very disorganized and chaotic. The music got louder when the girls were asked questions.

The girls appeared awkward and confused and were given very little direction. The staff did not wear name tags.

2 judges actually left during the pageant. What a huge money making scam

Guest

I agree wholeheartedly

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Anonymous
map-marker Waterbury, Connecticut

National American Miss - Beauty Competion Review from Waterbury, Connecticut

National American miss is a complete waste of money & time. So there only supposed to judge on your intro, formal wear, & interview. Not on looks. & the girl who won was extremely pretty & so were all the girls in the top 10 & the girls who won years before. That is not a coincidence. They judged on looks & they weren't supposed to. That just made the competition unfair. Anyone who's thinking about getting involved with national American miss I don't suggest u do. It cost hundreds of dollars for a formal dress, interview outfit, shoes, jewelry, a hotel, entry fees & all that & it's not worth it. Save ur money, you'll be glad u did. Plus they say this pageant "boosts confidence" but really when u walk on stage u only are going to feel awkward & pressured. Even after I competed I'm still the same shy person I was before. No one should be judged on there looks. So don't go to national American miss. I regretted it. & everyone else will too. It's a terrible organization. Just a waste of time & money, that's all it is. They only pick pretty girls to be the state queen & that's not fair. There only supposed to judge on the 3 competitions & that's it. & they claim they would never judge on looks but yet they do ! Don't trust there originization.
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3 comments
Guest

NAM is a money making scam.

Guest

This whole review is entirety based on opinion. FYI, most girls who chose to do pageants are pretty. That's who the industry attracts.

Guest

Not true at all!

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Anonymous
map-marker Tulsa, Oklahoma

National American Miss - Beauty Competition Review from Tulsa, Oklahoma

My grandaughter recently competed in a NAM Pagent. Although the experience was not altogether unpleasant, it was certainly poorly done as far as age brackets are concerned. She had to compete with 10 to 13 year olds. Out of the 167 girls in this age group there were only 7 close to her age. She missed the age cut off by 15 days, there fore competing with 10,11,12 13 and 7 almost 14 year olds. My granddaughter was poised, articulate, beautifully dressed for every catagory, an active participant in 5 events and was pointed out by every family we passed as we traveled back and forth throughout the hotel. However, it was obvious to us as well as most everyone we came in contact with that she was clearly miss placed, should have been in the age group above and this put her at a huge disadvantage. She looked, acted, dressed, spoke and generally presented herself far outside the norm. There is a huge physical, mental,emotional and social difference between 10 and 13 &1/2. The age brackets should be revamped, or another added . The competition was not at all meant for this age contestant . We felt that it was more of a. "money only "event rather than a confidence building, esteem raising, social and educational genre. We were dissapointed and disillusioned and wll seek a more legitiment and genuine event for her to participate in. I might add that we heard this same concern voiced repeatedly even before the crowning event.
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Anonymous

Biggest scam i ever saw..+ jurrors from space..

8/23/2014 NAM NJ-----what a shame for people who were present there with TIRED kids.... NAM made hundred of thousands dollars base on NJ people naïve and misunderstanding entire process.... who choose these jurors !!!!!--- It should be African-American/MIDDLE EAST Miss not USA NATIONAL!!! NOT EVEN ONE BLOND GIRL IN FINALS !!!!!!! CORUPTION etc..AS WELL...ONE MAN WAS AS DOCTOR FROM NY!! -- BIG DEAL...---IM TOP SURGEN IN NJ--DID I SCREAM ABOUT IT ---NOT. entire process is out of professional desire and organization few persons should not even work there for comments which they made to kids DO NEVER EVEN TRY IT!!!! SAVE YOUR TIME AND $
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3 comments
Guest

This is not something to complain about; the race or background of other young ladies in the competition has nothing to do with their confidence or inner beauty. It is simply a reflection of the demographics in our area.

Don't be naive about that! I personally thought the current Miss New Jerseys at all age levels were well-spoken and beautiful.

Guest

Wow, I feel sorry for you. Just because someone is blonde doesn't mean they should win.

Guest

How does the color of a persons skin identify if there american or not . Who says ."who choose these jurors !!!!!--- It should be African-American/MIDDLE EAST Miss not USA NATIONAL!!!".

Do you understand how ignorant you sound. If some ugly white girl won instead of a beautiful black girl or Spanish girl you wouldn't have a problem would you.

Letting the color of a person skin judge who they are. You sound like a low life *** bag.

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Anonymous

National American Miss - Beauty Pageant Review

This is not a beauty pageant!! It's is who ever spends the most money wins the pageant. They say the optional don't matter but they do. Only the girls that interred the optional contest are the ones that got picked for the final winners. It's all
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2 comments
Guest

Yes, every girl that won the photogenic contest won the regional pageant. The more money you give, the higher your chances of winning.

NAM became very transparent.

The show in charlotte 2015 was so disorganized and chaotic. Several of us parents were already disgusted before the results were even announced

Guest

It was the first time I saw a correlation between girls who did optionals and girls that placed. We had new directors here in Illinois and many moms noticed that the ones who did optionals are the ones who won/placed. I never noticed it before this year, but this year it was pretty obvious.

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