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May 2006 Edition Of Excellence
Du'Bois' Dish By Nicole DuBois (MGA 2006)
It is amazing how quickly the months are passing by.
Pageant season has officially begun. With 4 preliminaries in the month of April,
just a taste of what the rest of my reign holds. How honored and blessed I am to
have the privilege of traveling to different cities and states as Miss Gay
America, honoring the art of female impersonation.
On March 31, I traveled to Memphis, TN. Where Miss Mid- America was held at
Backstreet, Coliseum. Shane and his staff are always amazing and accommodating
to Miss Gay America. It was quite odd being the reigning Mid- America
titleholder as well as MGA, I had double duty. We had 3 great contestants that
were so Pretty In Pink- our theme for the evening. Joining us for the nights
festivities were 3 former Miss America ’s.Catia, Dominique, and Rachel. Also my
sisters in crime, Raquel and Charity were on hand to judge. And stage manager
for the night MR. ROGER PIATT…A.K.A.Victoria Vincent. Thank you sis. Victoria
Parker was victorious by nights end , with China Collins as First alternate.
These 2 lovelies are now on there way to the nationals. The next morning was our
family retreat. Talk about overwhelming, with 6 past MGA’S in attendance, and
numerous promoters, and contestants.. Great discussions and talk about some
changes, they are a coming!!! Change is good for growth, so please take note of
our web-site for further details. That night we had our Miss Gay America review
show, it was unbelievable, and we all laughed and carried on. I warned them that
the rest of my reign was to be filled with laughter. I gave all of my sisters
new names, and I am sure at some point during the year you will hear me address
them by that new name. Thank you ladies for allowing me to be myself, I
appreciate your faithfulness to OUR system, and I applaud your talents and your
craft. Love you all…
On April 4, I then traveled to Gainesville, Fla., to perform at The University
of Florida, NCAA Champs this year. I, along with Miss Continental-Domanique
Shappell, Entertainer of the Year-Angelique Ali, along with Florida Diva’s-Lady
Pearl and Ivanna Black. The event was called America’s Diva’s, and it was held
during the week of their Gay Pride Festivities. It was a wonderful experience to
have 3 national titleholders on one stage, promoting our different systems- but
with the same goal in mind-EQUALITY.
Up next- Miss Gay Western States- I now know why these guy’s are the reigning
Regional Promoters of the Year. Danny and Daniel-TOTALLY ROCK. We had a pre-show
@ WOODY’S, complete with out side stage and wind storm…The line up included
Rachel Erikks, Raquel Chevallier, Maya Montana, Barbra Seville, Angela Dodd, and
Amanda Bury. We had a blast. On pageant night, I shared the stage with 6
beautiful contestants. You are all winners. This pageant was in one of the
Ballrooms @ The Doubletree Hotel, complete with hor’s dourves, birthday cake,
and talent across the board. Luscious was crowned the winner with Alina Malletti
as first alternate. What an amazing night, and I give a big thank you to D&D,
Barbra Seville, Amanda Bury, Gia, Travis, and the fabulous city of Tucson for
making me feel so welcome. Love you all…
Maryland, Maryland… I now see why formers rave about this prelim. Chuck Bowers,
Roger Dimmick, the entire staff of the Hippo, and The Miss Maryland Committee,
made me feel like a true Queen. Hospitality Plus. From the bottom of my heart, I
thank you. This contest had nine contestants. Wonderful interviews, solo
talents, talents and gowns were the order of business for these beauties.
Working with such professionals always makes my job such a breeze. Congrats to
winner Andora Te’Tee, and first alternate Akasha Cassadine. Also on hand for the
weekend were Miss Gay America’s- Vicki Vincent, Maya Montana, Raquel Chevallier,
and Sabrina White. My hat goes off to all involved in this great pageant. A
special thank you to our personal driver John ( Jess’s better half) LOL… and
Duwanna Moore- one heck of a back stage director. You all are now my family, and
thank you for making my stay in Baltimore so memorable- Duck Tour and all….
Next month I will fill you in on Miss Tri-States Regional, to be held in St.
Louis, Missouri. Until then keep the faith, and keep your dream alive. See you
in the sky, and at a venue near you. Smooches….
Much Love, Nicole
From the desk of Larry & Terry
A Good Male Interview…..
More often than not, the interview categories of
competition determines the winner of a contest…especially in the “close call”
pageants. We continue to advise that contestants should never “give” points to
the other contestants yet we see quite often, contestants who have focused on
one particular category of competition and has not paid attention to detail, of
all of the categories and in many cases, the lack of attention to detail in the
Male Interview Category can decide the results of a contest.
The Male Interview category allows you to present your male persona to the
judges. In the duties of Miss Gay America, you will most likely have to work as
a male during, registration, contestant orientation and judges orientation
therefore a professional male image is just as important as a professional image
in your female persona. In fact, as the reigning Miss Gay America, you may be
asked to assist in obtaining national sponsors or conduct other official
business as a representative of the Miss Gay America pageant system and the Male
Interview category will help the judges determine your effectiveness as a male.
After all, this contest is about a man impersonating a woman. Your time to
convince the world that you are a woman is when you are on-stage…otherwise your
male persona will most definitely play a role in your year as a Miss Gay
America.
The eight minutes of Male Interview can be the worst experience of the
competition or you can make the Male Interview competition a fun, informative
talk with the judges to allow them to get to know you.
There are four (4) subcategories, noted below, that comprise the 150 possible
points of the Male Interview category. This article will hopefully provide
direction to you as a contestant concerning this category and how to realize
maximum points.
General Appearance- 0 to 20 Points
Personality- 0 to 30 Points
Ability to Communicate- 0 to 50 Points
Answer Content- 0 to 50 Points
Total points 150 possible points per judge
General Appearance- 0 to 20 possible subcategory points
The general appearance subcategory allows the judges to score based on your
total look. Judges are asked not to discount points if the contestant has lady
finger nails however one must assume that the nails will distract from the
interview… You should dress as if you are going to a professional job interview
(since the title of Miss Gay America is a job) therefore it is suggested that
you wear a suit for interview. Keep in mind that sometimes, the flamboyant look
may not appeal to all judges and that a conservative look usually scores higher
within this subcategory.
Questions you should ask yourself to ensure maximum points include:
Does the suit and tie compliment each other?
Is the suit soiled?
Are the clothes wrinkled?
Do the sock match the outfit?
Do the clothes fit? (including suit jacket, shirt, slacks)
Is the Neck of the shirt too large? Too small?
Is the knot of the tie appropriately fitted?
Are the shoes scuffed? Are the shoes polished?
Are shoes too casual for the outfit?
Is the hair neat?
Is jewelry too flamboyant for the outfit?
Are eyebrows overemphasized, if drawn…?
Personality- 0 to 30 possible subcategory points
This is the time to show your personality to the judges. Please remember that an
overbearing personality might not score well with the judges. Allow the judges
to maintain control of the interview with you answering their specific questions
but be sure to insert personality into your interview.
Questions you should ask yourself to ensure maximum points include:
Are your interview skills too conservative?
Are your interview skills too flamboyant?
Are your interview answers too boastful?
Is your interview too timid and/or shy?
Do you have a nervous laugh?
Are your answers sincere and to the point?
Do you tend to ramble without directly answering the question?
Is your true persona shining through, if not, judges will most likely detect a
“false” interview.
Ability to Communicate- 0 to 50 possible subcategory points
This subcategory allows the judges to score you based on your communication
technique and abilities.
Questions you should ask yourself to ensure maximum points include:
Do you properly enunciate your words?
Do you speak too fast? Too slow?
How is your grammar when speaking?
Do you say, “you know” too often?
Do you make eye contact with each of the judges (not just the judge asking the
question)
Are you confident in your answers?
Do your answers sound too rehearsed?
Are your answers sincere?
Do you seem too arrogant?
Do you seem too shy?
Answer Content- 0 to 50 possible subcategory points
While we generally say that there is no correct or incorrect answer, the judges
will most likely be able to determine if you are dishonest in your answers. You
should be prepared to answer administrative type questions, in detail, to show
the judges that you are prepared for the job of a Miss Gay America.
Questions you should ask yourself to ensure maximum points include:
• Is your biography too lengthy? (your biography should include brief statements
concerning your past, present, and future). Any lengthy elaboration concerning
your biography should come from a question asked by a judge.
• Are your answers too “closed ended”?
• Are you familiar with the Miss Gay America system regulations in order to
effectively answer administrative type questions?
• Do you ramble in your answers?
Please keep in mind that the purpose of Male Interview is to allow the judges to
get to know you while seeing your ability to communicate and your knowledge of
administrative skills.
We are questioned quite often regarding the appropriateness of a contestant
bringing a resume’ to the interview. The judges may not mind receiving a resume’
and photo from you however since the interview is only eight minutes, they will
not have time to review your resume’ while they are scoring you. Our
recommendation is that if you feel the need to provide the judges with a resume,
do so at the end of your interview, so as not to consume any of your interview
time with distribution. Your interview time begins as soon as you enter the
room, therefore time is limited, so use it wisely.
We are also asked if it is appropriate to shake hands with the judges, at the
beginning of the interview. Our advice to you is that if you feel that you must
shake the hand of the judges, do so at the conclusion of the interview. Some
judging panels may not wish for contestants to make physical contact with you,
in which case your promoter will advise of any limitations that exist,
concerning the judges.
At the beginning of the interview, the Lead Judge will ask you to be seated and
provide a brief biography. Please keep your biography brief and to the point,
and again, be sure to include past, present and future statements. Many judges
prefer to ask questions derived from statements you make in your biography,
therefore you should be prepared to answer a wide variety of questions.
The panel of judges will not be provided with specific questions to ask however
there will be administrative questions suggested to be asked. Judges are
instructed, not to ask questions of a religious or political nature.
In summary, Male Interview, if prepared for, can provide positive results. We
recommend that you gather a group of individuals to assist you with preparation
for Male Interview. While we recognize that the process is “un-nerving”, you can
make the experience a pleasurable conversation with the judges. This is just one
of five categories in which you must score well, in order to become the next
Miss Gay America, therefore we suggest that you begin your preparation today, in
order to realize the success in scoring that you would like to see from a good
Male Interview….
Until next time…
From the MissGayAmerica.com Web master
After many months
of working on the Web site, I feel like it has become a great source of
information for contestants, promoters and the fans of Miss Gay America. It is
in this vein that I ask all promoters to check their contest information on the site, and
send me an email
with any details which are not posted. Also, any contestant who has qualified
for Miss Gay America 2007, please also send an
email with your
MGA title history if it is not complete or correct on the page I've created for
you. I would also like to post your most recent promotional photo if it is not
already posted.
I am setting up pages for each Former Miss Gay America
as well. If you have candid photos or new promotional shots that I can include,
along with a biography that you would like me to use, please
email it to
me.
Bruce, your
MissGayAmerica.com Web master
A Note From The Editor
The Excellence strives to be an informative newsletter delivered to the promoters of the Miss Gay America Pageant System throughout the year. Should there be any issue or topic of discussion a promoter would like to see addressed (or to write an article to be published) in a future newsletter, please contact the editor via
Email.
Please note, any article, comments, or opinions faxed, mailed, (postal or electronics),
or otherwise sent to any of our "addresses" become our property and carry an implied consent of publication should we choose to do so. No articles will be published in which one or more of the following occurs:
- complete identity of the author is not known
- plagiarism
- defamation of an individual or company
- false or misleading information (as we are able to determine)
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