Austen Williams Mrs America 2013

Austen Williams - Mrs. America 2013

Austen started modeling and acting when she was 4. She booked her first national television commercial when she was 7. She has done work for Abercrombie & Fitch, Best Buy, Vibe Magazine, Prevention Magazine, as well as in Fitness videos, films, and television.

How did you capture the title of Mrs. America?

Austen was just herself ~ a real woman.  She wasn't trying to be someone she’s not!  She is a mom so she doesn’t have time to do some of the luxury things in life because she is so busy chasing around a 16 month old and a three year old.  She just wants to be who God made her to be.  

Highlights from the Pageant

Austen competed in the Miss USA and Miss America systems. This was her first Mrs. Pageant. Not all pageant girls are nice but she was surprised to learn just how sweet the Mrs. Pageant contestants at Mrs. America were. She loved her roommate! Her roommate was Mrs. Virginia, Erin Brown, who Austin thinks is a complete rock star! If you're friends with Austen on Facebook you can see the videos from Mrs. America. They had parties in their room where they were dancing on the bed while pretending to sing (to the readers; Girls Just Gotta Have Fun). Austen really enjoyed learning all about the ladies at Mrs. America. She felt so fortunate to have been able to compete with them because they were so supportive and kind.

The Mrs. America Interview

The interview was round-robin style. Austen really enjoyed the judges and had great conversations with them.  Austin feels sometimes ladies think the judges want to hear the "correct answer", when all they really want is to hear YOUR opinion. They want to see you and get to know the real you.

Preparing for the Pageant

Have conversations with people and take the time to get to know them. Try to really figure out who they are.  Austen stated it is better to be interested than interesting. Mrs. America is a pageant where you have to be able to interview well because 50% of your score comes from interview. You really need to know how to talk to people so they can get to know the real you. 

Austen’s Platform is Human Trafficking Awareness

Human Trafficking is happening here and now.  As a performer, Austen has been able to promote her platform through a film called, “8 Days”. She played a role in the film which wrapped up about two weeks before she left for Mrs. America. The film is a true story about a girl from Texas who was kidnapped and put into human trafficking and found 8 days later.  People have an assumption that human trafficking only happens to low-income, or uneducated people. The reality of it is that human trafficking is not just hitting one area or demographic, it is all across the board. You can be any race, most often, it is white and Asian women/girls who are being sold. As of now, human trafficking is the #2 grossing crime in the WORLD! Second only to drugs. It is projected to surpass drugs in the next five years!

The film 8 Days is due to be released in November. All proceeds from the film will go back into anti-trafficking organization to build safe houses. For more information about the film 8 Days, go to www.8daysfilm.org

Mrs. America Goals

Austen's number one goal as Mrs. America is to promote awareness for Human Trafficking.  Austen stated she is a simple girl and she wants simple things. Her heart breaks for the young girls who have been sold into trafficking. As a mother, it is heart wrenching for her to think about it.  Her goal is to serve her community, her family and her God.

In May, Austen will be travel to the Mrs. World Pageant. So, how does she get ready to compete at Mrs. World?

As a mom with small children, she doesn’t always have time to go to the gym.  She puts her baby in a baby backpack and does lunges. When she is doing the dishes, she does squats and lunges. Her workout routine has to do with entertaining her children and cleaning her house.  After she had her second baby she wanted something to do to get back into shape. She thought swimsuit competition would help her accomplish that. Her clothes fit but everything was mushy. So, she started to tone up at home and at the Mrs. Texas America Pageant she won the fitness award!

Did you know that Austen is a photographer?

She is the owner of Sugarbabe Photography and specializes in newborns, babies and children.  Her goal was to give beautiful pictures of children to families for a reasonable price. She can do all types of photography, but she really enjoys taking pictures of newborn babies. She took Mrs. Oklahoma America’s headshot and she won Mrs. Photogenic! To learn more about Sugarbabe Photography, you can visit www.SugarbabePhotography.com

Follow Austen on Twitter @Austenwill and on Facebook at Austen Williams.

Austen and her husband she still has a crush on as Mrs. Texas

Brita Jackson of Arquette & Associates Modeling Agency

Brita Jackson, owner of  Arquette & Associates Modeling Agency, took time to talk with Ask the Crown’s Stephanie McGrane about how pageant ladies can cross over into the modeling world.

Brita was saying how in modeling you need to be less strict with yourself, where in pageantry, ladies tend to be more “boxy”. An example would be: in pageantry you have to have the correct answer and be primped, where in the modeling world you can be a bit more free. You still have to take care of your body and stay healthy. However, in modeling they want to see more of your personality and your free hippy, gypsy girl and see how you can just go with the flow.

When pageant girls come into the agency, what positive things does Brita see in them?

Pageant ladies have confidence, and to model you have to have confidence, love who you are and believe in something other than yourself. The modeling world is so harsh in many different ways that you have to have that confidence.

Arquette & Associates Modeling Agency has been around since 2000.  Brita came to the company a few years later and spent four years as a director and then in 2009 she bought the company. Arquette and Associates is known for their print work. They have on-camera, fit and promotional modeling, but mostly they are known for their print.

Some of the clients that Aquette & Associate models work for include; 17 Magazine, JC Penny’s, Sears, Target, Hot Topic, and so many others.

There are many different types of agencies out there. You have your local modeling agencies that deal with local work but when you start to become more of a professional model there are catalog/commercial agencies and also fashion/editorial agencies.  When you look at the different markets, there are your big markets such as New York, Paris and Milan, and then there are the smaller markets, such as Philadelphia, Seattle, and Minneapolis.

What happens when girls come to Arquette & Associates? Do they place them in the bigger markets?

Arquette & Associates is a mother agency and they will spend the first year developing you, getting you ready and setting up meetings with clients. After that, they can place you. Arquette & Associates have placed people in Asia, Europe, New York, LA and Miami. Depending on the type of model you are, you can move from market to market.

What about those modeling agencies that try to sell you classes? Is that just a money maker or do you need to take classes to be a model?

Brita said you do not need to take the classes to be a model. She has seen girls out there who have paid anywhere from $10,000-$12,000 to take classes or go to conventions. The agencies that are selling classes… that is how they make their money. For Arquette & Associates, they make their money by your bookings and your placements. If you are going to an agency that does not offer classes, it is their job to develop you. They should be teaching you how to move, how to walk, how to put on your make-up, etc.

Will an agency charge any type of startup fee?

Every big agency in the large markets will have a setup fee. You will have to buy your portfolio, comp cards and photo shoots. Photo shoots aren’t free. They may be in some states, but chances are those shoots are not good. The quality of a good photo shoot is really important. The clients call it a test shoot, and those test shoots will go into your book and if they are the best of your worst photos, that is what they book off of. You don’t want to shoot with a free photographer, a cheap photographer, or the wrong photographer. Startup fees are an investment, but that investment is so important for your career so that you can move up.

Should people have photos done before they apply to an agency or is it better to just wait until you meet with the agency?

You need to wait. You don’t know the market or the type of model you are yet. You can take snapshots, Polaroids, or digital photos. Take pictures with no make-up and natural hair while wearing a swimsuit. Take full body pictures from your midriff to your face, smiling and not smiling. You also need to take pictures with your hair down and with your hair pulled back.  Then submit them to the agency.

You also need to submit your measurements; bust, waist and hip, along with your height and weight. Have someone else take the measurements. For your bust, you can use your bra size. Your waist is actually around the belly button and your hips are the biggest part of your bum.

After all your photos and measurements are turned in, it is a waiting game. If you do not hear back from the agency, it is a no.  When you send your information around to different agencies you have to remember that some agencies are fashion, some are editorial, and some are print. You may not have the face or height for one agency. Don’t stop at one, move on to others.

What should you bring with you the first time you meet with an agency?

If you are brand new, you won’t need to have a portfolio or professional photos. Do not go out and get senior pictures or glamour photos. It is not worth your money. Save your money because you will need a really good photo shoot with your portfolio. Come to the meeting in fitted clothing, wear skinny jeans and a tank top, or just fitted jeans and a t-shirt if you are a plus size. Be sure to wear heels.  Again, no makeup, natural hair, make it look nice, not like you just came out of bed, no jewelry, and take your cell phone out of your pocket.  Bring a two piece swimsuit just in case they want to see you in a two piece.

Should you be ready to walk the runway?

Some agencies will have you walk, some will interview, and some will take your measurements to be sure they are correct. Some will take snap shots and digital photos of you.

Can anyone be a model?

In New York they will say no, not anyone can be a model. You really need to be clear on what type of modeling you are thinking of. If you are under 5’9”, it is hard to get into the big agencies. The models who are shorter can do print modeling. You also need to learn how to act to be a product model.  Product print is not for magazines or clothing stores. Agencies who do product print want real people, like the girl next door, who customers can relate to.

If you are really serious about modeling should you travel to a different market area?

Traveling is a big ordeal. You need to be willing to travel. Most of the time you need to be located or working in the city you are trying to model in.

Does age matter?

For product print models, you can be any age; you are never too young or too old. You need to know your market and find the agency who have the clients that are looking for all ages.

PageantLive is very excited to be working with Arquette & Associates Modeling Agency. They will be helping to select the new Face of PageantLive.

The new winner will receive a one year contract along with training and development. They will also be providing a portfolio and comp cards. They will also be submitting the winner for casting and bookings.

If you would like more information, visit www.Arquettetalents.com. Click on submission. 

Brita Jackson, President of Arquette & Associates Modeling Agency

Click to watch the video

Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan

Ask the Crown Stephanie McGrane interviewed Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan.  She was the youngest to win the Miss America Crown since 1937.

What was the secret to your success of being crowned Miss America?

Teresa spoke of how the judges are different in every competition so it depends on the connection you have with them. Despite the fact that some of her judges were completely on the other end of the spectrum of her in terms of religion, politics, etc., she was able to connect with them.  If it would have been a group of seven different people, she wonders what the outcome would have been.  People try to find some type of magic something that will help them win.  Teresa notes that it is more about connecting with the individuals, rather than trying to change something about yourself.  She believes that, "God's will will be done in the end and if it is meant to be, it will happen".

What is the secret of going into a pageant interview? What can people do to connect with the judges?

Teresa believes there are elements you can’t control or plan for. Often times contestants focus on themselves and walk into an interview thinking, “I want them to like me” and “I’m going to tell them how great I am”.  Judges can be turned off by that type of attitude. She stated the importance of the judges needing to know that you care.  Remember the saying, "people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care".  Knowing that the judges were very different than her, Teresa focused on gaining a connection with them and making sure she explained her positions well.  Teresa reminded the viewers to always take into consideration the audience that you are speaking to.

How were you feeling as they began naming the runners up?

Going to Miss America as the youngest contestant, Teresa thought, "there is no chance (of winning) so my goal was simply to do my best and to try and set a record for Nebraska".  Through the prelims she wanted to make Nebraska, her directors, family and friends proud. She won talent the prelim night and Nebraska had never won that award, so she was pleased with that. 

Then, she was in the top five and she was so excited to have made it that far. Teresa thought she was going to be called 4th runner up. When the 4^th runner up was called, she thought she was  going to be 3^rd runner up!  She was thinking about her homecoming and going back to Nebraska because they had never had anyone in the top 5 before. Then she was holding the 1^st runner up's hands.  She could not believe she was going to be first runner up to Miss America.  She was thinking how excited everyone was going to be!  She thought there was no way the judges would give the responsibilities of Miss America to a 17 year old. When they called her name she didn't know what to think. It was so unexpected.  Teresa said it didn't really sink in for about two weeks.

What did you do to prepare for Miss America and how long in advance did you start to prepare for the competition? 

Teresa said everything she was doing her entire life was preparing her for Miss America.  She did not grow up thinking she was going to be Miss America. She was never interested in competing in a pageant.  She wasn't really good at one particular thing growing up but she was diverse and involved in a variety of activities.  When Teresa did become involved with the Miss America Organization, they liked the fact she was involved with her community, excelled at academics and was a well-rounded person. Teresa said, "you need to have something to share, something that you are passionate about, that will always make a difference."  

What was your year like as Miss America?

Teresa said Miss America is like the world’s largest internship.  The day after she won she boarded a plane to New York City and from there hit the ground running. She was on a plane every other day. In one year, she packed in enough experiences that most people do in about 35-40 years. Teresa traveled 200,000 miles, across 36 states and 5 countries.  Other than being home one week for Easter and two weeks for Christmas, she was on the road 24/7. Teresa spoke of her title as hard work and a full time job. There were 16 hour days of walking in high heels and 6 hour long autograph sessions. Since being Miss America is so much work, Teresa told us that "you have to be passionate about it".  The title gave this lovely 17 year old, small town girl the chance to reach so many different people, speaking to groups as large as 20,000 people.  One of her highlights was being able to speak at the American Legion National Convention in Minneapolis just before President Obama.

At one point you were interested in going into politics, is that something you still want to do?

Teresa is currently working towards her undergraduate degree in government at Patrick Henry College.  Her dream is to follow that with law school at Harvard.  She would love to represent the state of Nebraska on a state or federal level. This has become even more of a passion of hers since representing Nebraska and becoming Miss America.

How do you feel about the Miss America Pageant moving back to Atlantic City?
Teresa is SO excited for the Miss America Pageant to return to Atlantic City! She is jealous it wasn’t held there the year she was crowned. Teresa said it is important to hold onto tradition and that is something that sets the Miss America Organization apart.

What advice do you have for the ladies who aspire to become Miss America?

Teresa believes that sometimes people think that a specific event or crown is going to change who they are, how they act, how they speak, how they dress, and it won't.  Winning Miss America is not going to change you and make you become the best person in the entire world.  If you are not acting like Miss America everyday, you are not Miss America.  There is only going to be one Miss America, and the rest of the ladies will go home and continue to represent their states.  In those positions they should be just as much like Miss America as if they had won the title.  Teresa would like to see the state titleholders represent the organization better than if they had won Miss America.  If they have a state crown on their head they are still the face of that organization.

You were Miss America t the age of 17, where do you go from there? 

Winning Miss America wasn't on Teresa's bucket list.  The title was a detour, so now she is back on her path that she had planned, only with more resources. She is attending college, followed by law school, with plans of going into politics or criminal prosecution in Nebraska.  Her bucket list is as long as the dictionary! Teresa is also working on her personal trainer certification and plans to compete in a fitness competition.  She feels that some people let one thing define them and they never move forward, stifling their growth.  Teresa has found that it is important to set goals for the day, week, month, year as well as lifetime goals.

Tell us about you pageant coaching business.

As Miss America, people often asked Teresa for advice. Wanting to give more extensive advice to contestants, she has created a Facebook page called, Gold Standard Coaching.   She posts a verse or vocabulary word of the week, interview questions, tips on physical fitness...all the things that contestants need to focus on for competition. 

How do you conduct your coaching?

Teresa coaches in person, by phone or by Skype.  She knows the importance of staying connected with her clients, especially when they are at a competition, and does so by phone, texts and emails.

How to contact Teresa:

Facebook Page - Teresa Scanlan
Gold Standard Coaching Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/GoldStandardCoaching

Email – info@TeresaScanlan.com

Web Site- www.TeresaScanlan.com  

To see the interview click HERE