51: The Road to Miss USA 2021! Pageantry Reimagined

Being crowned Miss USA is so much more than just physical beauty. These women are truly putting in the work on and off the stage to be the best versions of themselves and inspire the next generation of young girls to dream big and reach for their goals.

In today’s episode, Zuri and her guest Crystle Stewart discuss all things pageant life, including what it takes to become Miss USA. If you want to get a glimpse into the world of pageantry and see where they are taking the platform, this episode is for you! 

Crystle Stewart was the 2008 Miss USA, and she’s now the first black woman to hold the title of President and National Director of the Miss USA Organization. She’s also the founder of Miss Academy, the first-ever pageant training school educating young women across the nation on the ins and outs of pageantry while equipping them with skills that will last a lifetime.

Zuri and Crystle deep dive into how pageants can be a catalyst for empowering young girls and women to achieve life goals, how the representation of black women in beauty pageants is changing, and what steps Crystle is taking to redefine what it means to be a beauty queen, 

Don’t forget to tune in to Hulu and watch the 70th Miss USA on November 29th!

I’m also going Live on IG on December 1st to celebrate the first anniversary of Hot Happy Mess! I’ll be talking to some of your favorite guests from past episodes, I’ll have some exciting pop-ups, and we’re going to have some giveaways and prizes y’all can win. It all starts at 3:00 PM PST and 6:00 PM EST.

Follow: Zuri Hall | Crystle Stewart

A Closer Look at The Episode

• [3:59] Crystle’s journey to making history in her new role 
• [6:09] The patience, persistence, and perseverance behind achieving big goals
• [9:42] Why self-discovery was necessary for Crystle’s move from Miss Texas to Miss USA
• [11:22] The opportunities that become available after being crowned Miss USA
• [13:33] What it takes to compete in pageant life and make it to the stage
• [17:22] Behind the scenes of Miss Academy
• [19:04] Why pageantry is more about community than competition
• [20:35] Promoting inclusivity within pageantry
• [21:38] The background & demographic varieties of the contestants
• [23:58] How pageantry is an extension of a contestant’s current life
• [25:38] Advice for women looking to start their pageantry journey
• [26:34] What judges look for in beauty contestants
• [28:19] Why parents should consider putting their young girls in pageants

Recent episodes: if ya feel like bingeing:

ICYM: Listen to 50: Get Your Hustle On! From Side Hustle to Main Business

ICYM: Listen to 49: Ready for Tax Season? Get Ready with these Tips & Tools

ICYMI: Listen to 48: What is Trauma? You May Have More Than You Realize

ICYMI: Listen to 47: Should you Freeze Your Eggs? Here’s Why, How, and My Journey So Far

ICYMI: Listen to 46: Exploring Alternative Routes to Motherhood

ICYMI: Listen to 45: Meet One of the Youngest Black Hotel Owners in the Game

Go back to the beginning — ICYMI: Listen to Episode 1: How to Be Happy

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