On February 9-11, I competed in the American Beauties Plus pageant in Atlanta GA. This is a national beauty pageant especially for women sizes 14 and over. There are four categories/divisions, that compete in this pageant.
The Miss Division (ages 20-29); the Ms. Division (ages 30-39); the Mrs. Division (ages 18 and older, married); and the Woman Division (ages 40 and older).
My birthday is October 11. I am 31 years old.in September I received my State crown and banner from the pageant director, Angela Howell, in the mail. It read, "Ms. (name of state withheld) American Beauties Plus.
Between September and February I used my crown and banner to make several wonderful appearances with celebrities and I also attended major events as well, because I was required to do so by contract (all State delegates are required to do so). It is stated in the State delegate contract that appearances are required each month prior to the pageant.
*Please note that there were contestants that did not make any appearances at all during their State reign prior to the pageant, and they won nationals regardless.
There is an entry fee of $550.00 to enter the pageant before receiving your crown/banner.in addition, contestants are required to sell advertisements in the pageant's program book, for $75 a page. There are also optionals which consist of talent, portfolio, photogenic, etc. I paid $15 to enter the photogenic optional contest.in addition, we were required to pay for meal tickets for our guest to eat at the pageant, which totaled $65 for my guest to eat. I paid a total of $705.00 to Mrs. Angela Howell, not including hotel and travel expenses which aren't included.
At the pageant, Mrs. Howell gave me a new banner that read "MISS (Name of State Withheld) American Beauties Plus".
She placed me in the Miss Division (ages 20-29), knowing I belonged in the Ms. Division (ages 30-39). I did not question her about this because I felt it would affect my scores in the pageant (I felt intimidated, and I didn't want to ruin my chances of winning). As it turns out, I did not win, I placed 1st runner up. I do not know the reasons why I was deliberately placed in my incorrect divison. Mrs. Howell knew my correct age, because I have 2 banners that she sent me. One that reads "Ms." and the other that I received at the pageant that read "Miss". The pageant was "rigged" and I feel cheated out of my money. I am seeking full refund of $705.00 that I paid to Mrs. Howell.
I would also like to warn all women before entering pageants that require a hefty entry fee, but little to none prizes to show for winners and/or runner-ups, please be aware that these types of pageants are usually scams. The same applies to modeling scams. If you have to dish out a lot of money up front with little or nothing to gain in return, then it is usually bad business and a scam. Please help me get my money back. I think this is exploitation of innocent victims, and it needs to stop.
Thank you.
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