National American Miss
Reviews and Complaints
www.namiss.com
Anonymous
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.
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
6 comments
This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified Reviewer | New Brunswick, New JerseyThey 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!!!
Loss:
$135
Reason of review:
Liars
Preferred solution: Full refund
6 comments
Anonymous
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.
14 comments
Anonymous
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.
Loss:
$2500
5 comments
Briseida Rwr
Rochester, New York
Do not do it.
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.
8 comments
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!
1 comment
Anonymous
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.
12 comments
Anonymous
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)
Loss:
$700
3 comments
Anonymous
National American Miss - Contest Judgement Review
6 year old granddaughter did this pageant and when she walked out on stage for casual wear two of the judges never looked up all the time she was on stage they had their heads down writing. Soy question is how did they judge her fairly? Emailed the home office after the pageant but of course never heard a thing back from them. Now I see why they will not let you videotape because I could of proved a lot to them that weekend!
3 comments
Anonymous
NAM is a blessing!
Two years ago I got my letter for national american miss and found it intriguing so I went to the open call with high hopes and low expectations being that it was my first pageant. Nevertheless I made it so I read every magazine they gave me front and back a million times. I got all but 40$ 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.
Anonymous
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.
2 comments
Anonymous
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.
3 comments
Anonymous
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.
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 $
3 comments
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
2 comments
- Prev
- 1
- ...
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
Thank You for Your Reply!
Thank You for Your Reply! We are processing your message.
11Thank You for Your Submission
Your comment is successfully posted.
Works for "miss teen" as in works for NAM or works for a competitor?
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.
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
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.
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.
I was told it was 60/40. 60% make it. 40% do not.