When will the national pageant be televised?
The MISS USA® national pageant is typically televised in the later Spring or early Summer each year. The MISS TEEN USA® national pageant, is typically produced in July or August, but is not always televised.

What if I raise more sponsorship money than the required registration fee?
You may collect more than the required registration fee. If you do collect over the required amount of the registration fee, please send in the full amount to the state pageant offices, and we will reimburse back to you the difference during the check-in on the first day of the pageant (so long as the sponsorship is received at least 3 weeks prior to the state pageant to allow time for checks to clear). You may then use the additional money for any additional expenses you may incur during the course of your preparation and competition in the pageant. The pageant will only refund amounts over $10.

Do I need a different gown for finals than the one I wear for preliminaries?
No. We highly recommend wearing the same gown for both preliminaries and finals. Nearly all contestants at the state pageant wear the same gown for both.

What is the "Introduction Outfit" for?
At the beginning of the show for the pageant, each contestant will be introduced to the audience during an upbeat introduction(contestant will not sing or dance).

Do I need a talent to compete in the state pageant?
There is no talent portion to the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageant system. There are three equally scored categories, including interview, evening gown, and swimwear.

Are there any height or weight requirements to compete in the pageant?
Absolutely not! Each contestant in our pageant is an individual and the judges are looking for body proportion and personality, not a specific body measurement.

What if I have more than 10 sponsors?
You may have as many sponsors as you wish. We do want to stress, however, that only 10 listings (limited to 75 characters per line including spaces) of sponsors can be listed in the state pageant program book and on the website next to your name. In the event that you have more than 10 sponsors, you can simply combine sponsors on a line, so long as each line does not exceed 75 characters including spaces (Example: Hy-Vee Food / Smith Shoe Repair). Or you may list them as something like: “Sponsored by the Community of _____________.”

What happens if I can't get my registration materials in before the deadlines?
Deadlines are very important to us in order to make timely program preparations. However, we realize that unexpected circumstances can arise and that the collection of sponsorship may take longer than expected. Therefore, extensions on due dates are available when needed. If you need an extension, please call or email the state pageant offices and request a new due date.

When will the semi-finalists be named?
The semi-finalists in the pageant will be named during the first portion of the pageant finals on the last day of the pageant weekend. No one will know who the semi-finalists are until that moment in the pageant finals show. All contestants will participate throughout the pageant finals show.

If I am not named as a semi-finalist, will I still be in the pageant finals?
Absolutely. The pageant finals will start with every contestant being introduced and all contestants will participate in the gown review, special awards, naming of the semi-finalist, musical performances, and naming of the titleholders. You will be on stage at many times during the pageant finals, even if you are not named as a semi-finalist.

Do I need to pay for my meals during pageant weekend?
No. Most all of your meals throughout the state pageant weekend are provided by the state pageant. Although all of your meals are provided, we do recommend that are prepared for any additional meals that you may want.

Do I need to pay for my hotel room during pageant weekend?
No. Your hotel room during the pageant is provided for you by the state pageant. You will be roomed with one other contestant in a room with two beds. If you choose to arrive the night before or stay the night after the pageant, your room for those nights would be at your own expense.

How many other contestants will I room with at the hotel?
Each contestant is paired with one other contestant in order to share each hotel room. Each room will have two beds, so each contestant will have their own bed. In order to be respectful to the contestant with whom you are sharing the room, only the two of you are allowed in your hotel room (no family or friends allowed at any time).

Will the photo that I sent in with my application or the photo I send in with my registration materials be returned to me?
Unfortunately, the state pageant offices must keep your application and contestant photos on record for the Miss Universe Organization, and these photos will not be able to be returned to you after the pageant. Please be sure that you are not sending us your only copy of the photo.

Who are the state pageant judges?
The state pageant judging panel consists of experienced judges from the modeling industry, entertainment industry, pageant industry, media, and the business community.

Is the state pageant televised?
The state pageant is not televised, but videos of the state pageant will be available for sale during the state pageant weekend.

Can I make copies of the white sponsorship form?
Please make as many copies of the white Sponsor Form as needed for the appropriate number of sponsors that you secure. If you are getting individual cash donations from family and friends who do not need or want a receipt, you do not need a white Sponsor Form for each individual. Do, however, send one white Sponsor Form showing the combined amount donated by family and friends.

If my family or friends want to attend the pageant, where do they stay?
In this packet, as well as on our website, you will find the hotels which the state pageant recommends for family and friends. Be sure to tell them to mention to hotel reservations that they are "Friends or Family of a Miss USA/Teen USA state contestant" so they get a discounted rate!

Can my family or friends take photos or videotape the pageant?
For the safety of the contestants, photography and video recording of any type are strictly prohibited during the pageants. Professional Photos and DVDs will be available for purchase.

How can I order professional photos or videos of the pageant?
A couple weeks prior to the state pageant weekend, you will receive an order form for both photos and videos. If you would like to purchase either of these items, you can simply fill out the form and turn it in to the official pageant photographer and videographer at the state pageant check-in on the first day of pageant weekend. In addition, you can turn in that order form anytime throughout the state pageant weekend. Please note that no video and no photography will be allowed during the show by event attendees.

How do my family and friends get tickets to attend the pageant?
They can purchase them online with a credit card at www.futureproductions.net, or they can purchase tickets with cash at the pageant (please keep in mind that the show can be sold out, so it is best to have them purchase the tickets in advance online''). Please note that online tickets sales are not mailed, but must be picked up by the purchaser at the will call ticket table at the pageant.

Where can I order items that I may need for the pageant, as well as t-shirts, videos, memorabilia, etc.?
For your convenience, we have many items available for sale on our online store at www.futureproductions.net/store. In addition, our staff will have many items available for you to purchase onsite during the state pageant weekend.

What type of photo should I use for my official state pageant photo in the program book?
A clear, color photograph of head & shoulders with your name and state written on the back. Printed photos must be at least 4”x6”. Computer printouts are not acceptable. Emailed photos must be at least 1200x1800 pixels (4”x6” at 300 dpi). Photos are shown in color on the state pageant website, and are printed in black and white in the program book. Emailed photos should be sent to photos@futureproductions.net directly from the contestant (have the photographer send it to you, and you send it in).

What should I do if a sponsor gives me cash for my registration fee?
If you receive cash contributions for your registration fee, you may put that money into a money order or send a personal check. Please DO NOT send cash through the mail at any time. If your cash collected exceeds the registration fee for the state pageant, then you do not have to send in the additional cash.

How many contestants compete at the state pageant?
The number of contestant vary from year to year, but each year approximately 20-50 contestants compete for the Miss title, and 40-70 contestant compete for the Teen title.

What should my family and friends wear to the pageant?
We recommend anything from business casual to formalwear for the pageant preliminaries and pageant finals.

Can I wear a sarong or wrap with my swimwear?
Because the new titleholder is unable to wear a cover-up or wrap at the national pageant, we cannot allow any type of sarong or wrap during the swimwear portion of the state pageant.

When will this years contestants' photos be posted on the website?
This years contestants' photos will be posted on the state pageant website approximately one day prior to the state pageant. Q: Do I need to find sponsors? A: No. If you would prefer to pay the sponsorship fee or if your parents would like to just pay the sponsorship fee, there is no need to seek assistance from businesses and individuals in your community.

Will my sponsors be listed on the website?
Yes. Each contestants' ten sponsor listings will be listed on the website with her photo. Each sponsor listing is limited to 75 characters including spaces. Q: If my family or I pay the registration fee and I do not have sponsors, what will get listed on the website?
We would encourage you to submit something like the following to appear on the website and in the program book, "Thank you to my family and friends for your support!"

Can I purchase an ad for the state pageant program book?
Yes. Once we have received your complete registration materials, you will receive from us another packet containing information on how to secure a spotlight page for yourself. Q: Why am I asked to provide a report card / transcript? A: This documentation is merely used as a proof of residency. The judges never see this. You will NOT be penalized for poor grades or rewarded for exceptional grades at the state pageant. Q: If I need to check FALSE on the morals clause in the contract, will I automatically be disqualified? A: No. Each individual case is given consideration. We do ask, however, that you quickly provide the documentation requested by the state pageant offices in order to get the approval process started.