Pageant Favorites: Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2013, Christina Thompson

Pageant Favorites:

Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2013, Christina Thompson

Christina Thompson is an awesome, genuine girl who was kind enough to share her Pageant Favorites with us! Christina will be competing for the coveted title of Miss Teen USA in two weeks, and we wish her the best of luck! 

Favorite Miss USA/Teen USA/Universe: It's really difficult to pick just one. They are all beautiful women inside and out. I've noticed that all the girls are very intelligent and well-spoken.

Favorite charity: I partner up with CALMS with my church and every summer we go on a different missions trip. I've been to Belize and Guatemala twice. I think CALMS is awesome. 

Favorite quote: My favorite quote is a bible verse that I recite before I go on stage or if I'm nervous about something. It's Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares The Lord. "Plans to help you, not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." 

Favorite workout: I don't diet! I am obsessed with healthy eating though. I've learned that I always feel better when I eat healthy. I love love LOVE to run. I run for a half hour every day. 

Favorite Starbucks drink: Iced coffee. I'm obsessed with iced coffee. Especially in the summer. It's so refreshing. 

Advice: Be yourself! I know it sounds cliché, but it's true. If you know you've trained your hardest, practiced as much as you could, and tried your best, then be happy with whatever the outcome is!

xoxo TTT

How To: Make the Most of Your Year as a Titleholder

How To: 

Make the Most of Your Year as a Titleholder

Congratulations!! You're officially a titleholder. Wondering what's next? Start here!

Step 1. Tell everyone. At first, I was nervous people would judge me so I didn't tell many people about my new title. Then I realized, why not?! You obviously can't make everyone like or support you, so not everyone will be happy for you. But I promise, there are people that will make you feel special and remind you that this is a huge accomplishment and you should be proud to tell the world. You won this title and you were the best person for the job. Be proud of it!

Step 2. Get involved! Don't wait for people to ask you to participate in events, do it on your own! Call organizations, speak to schools and stores, reach out to people. Don't sit around and wait for events. I wanted to make the most of my year, so I immediately started reaching out to people. I participated in my first parade eight days after receiving my crown. Don't wait!

Step 3. Do things you're passionate about. You have one year with this crown, make the most of your opportunities! I got to go backstage during Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway and take a photo with my idol Laura Osnes wearing our crowns. When else would I get to do that?! Call your favorite sports teams, artists and find out what you can do!

Step 4. Get sponsors! You'll be surprised how many people are as excited about your title as you are. I was getting my hair done at my local salon (Hair Salon in Summit, NJ- they're amazing!) and the receptionist had read about my title in the local paper and they hooked me up with a year of free styling! I never would have expected it, so definitely let people know about your title and see what happens!

Step 5. Get good photos taken. Find a photographer you love and have a photoshoot in your crown and sash! You don't need to spend a ton, just make sure you like the photographer and their work. Not only are these photos great for autograph cards, you'll want to have them for publicity and personal purposes. This title is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and you want good pictures to remember this year. Think about it, your kids will see these someday!

Step 6. Be kind to everyone everywhere! People do things for nice people. I love shopping at alice + olivia when I'm in New York City, and love chatting with the employees at the Bryant Park store. I was blown away when they told me they loved how passionate I was about my favorite charity, Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDs and offered to throw me a shopping party to raise money for the charity of my choice! We raised a ton of money, and I'm so grateful. You never know what will come out of chatting with people and being nice to everyone!

Step 7. Ignore the drama and have fun. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Never take it for granted. Be active! Your year will fly by so make the most of it! Remember to stay humble and never let the crown get to your head. You won this title, now it's your chance to show everyone why.

xoxo TTT (NJ)

Pageant Favorites: Miss United States Intercontinental 2013, Chrissy Reynoso

Pageant Favorites: Miss United States Intercontinental 2013, Chrissy Reynoso

Newly-crowned Chrissy Reynoso is the most beautiful person you will ever meet, inside and out. The only thing sparklier than her crown is her heart. A major favorite of The Tiara Teens, we're all pretty much obsessed with this amazing queen. Find out some of her favorite things with our new segment, Pageant Favorites.

Favorite pageant snack: Cliff Builders bars, preferably chocolate mint.

Favorite former Miss USA: Alyssa Campanella

Favorite former Miss Teen USA: Vanessa Minnillo 

Favorite former Miss Universe: Dayana Mendoza, I loved her on Celebrity Apprentice too! 

Favorite system: Apples to oranges ;)

Favorite pageant designer: Gaspar Cruz of Crown Couture, creator of my winning gown!

Favorite charity: Special Olympics

Favorite quote: "Whether you believe you can or cannot, you are right."

Favorite pageant diet/workout: The See-Food Diet (I see food and I eat it, haha) and any type of cardio, especially running!

Favorite Starbucks drink: Soy latte with two shots of espresso. 

Advice for pageant girls: Always have an attitude of gratitude and try to gain a life lesson from every experience, pageant related or not!

xoxo TTT

25 Things You Should Know About Miss T.E.E.N. North Carolina 2013, Alli Howell

25 Things You Should Know About

Miss T.E.E.N. North Carolina 2013, Alli Howell

1. I can do a hilarious goat noise impersonation!

2. I say "y'all" wayyyy to much.

3. A huge sports and NC State fan.

4. I am a CNA, pursuing Pre-Medicine. 

5. I live on a farm and my home town has one stoplight.

6. I named my GPS "Sasha" (Safe American System Helping Alli) :)

7. I'm a HUGE bargain shopper.

8. I'm a little obsessed with my Chinese Pug, Pugsy.

9. I've been on mission trips to Calgary, Canada and North Pole, Alaska.

10. Olivia Culpo is my role model. 

11. I have a very thick southern accent... apparently, haha.

12. Favorite quote: "Be your own kind of beautiful."

13. I've called the police before because I lost my mom in the mall.

14. My favorite excuse is "I'm expecting a headache later!" :)

15. I am in love chocolate chip cookies from Chick fil A. 

16. I reuse all of my pageant dresses.

17. Even though zebra print is out of style, my entire room is decked out with it.

18. I got third runner-up at Miss T.E.E.N. United States 2013.

19. I played Left in varsity softball for four years. (Left of the Water Cooler) :)

20. Watching movies is my favorite hobby! If it's considered a hobby... :)

21. I met my future husband a few months ago at a basketball game; Scotty McCreery .

22. God is my number one in life.

23. I love grape juice but not grapes.

24. I'm only 5'2" so high heels are my BFF.

25. I've been to every MLB Stadium on the East Coast!

How To: Prepare for a Pageant

How To:

Prepare for a Pageant

Getting ready for a pageant is an extremely fun and exciting thing, but can also be nerve-wracking and stressful if you are not sure where to start. Luckily, The Tiara Teens are going to help you!

Step 1. Research the pageant system you are interested in entering. For example, if you aren't positive that you have a talent, there are many systems that do not require a talent competition. Same goes with swimsuit, some systems favor a fitness wear competition over a swimsuit portion. See what suits you and enter :)

Step 2. Now that you are entered in the pageant, you need to start preparing! Hiring a pageant coach is a very wise thing to do, especially if you are really wanting that crown! They give you amazing advice and insight on walking, interview questions, and so much more! Also, exercising and eating healthy is a necessity; a toned body always looks amazing on stage!

Step 3. If your system is platform based, make sure you are involved in your chosen platform. Also, choose your talent and practice practice practice! You should also be quizzing yourself on interview questions, and practicing your different walks whenever you have the opportunity!

Step 4. The best part, find your dress! Don't listen to the myth that white dresses always win, because it isn't true! Find the dress that makes YOU feel amazing. If you feel confident in it, you will do 10 times better! Also find your interview outfit, whether it be a suit, or fun outfit. Lastly, make sure you have your swimsuit, based on your system it may be one piece or two piece, so make sure you ask!

Step 5. Days before the competition, make sure you are waxed and tanned! If tanning in a bed is not for you, a spray tan is the way to go! Many believe that a tan is not necessary, but the bright lights on stage will drown you out without one!

Step 6. When packing for the big day, make sure you have everything that you will need, you wouldn't want to forget your butt glue and have your behind slip out in the middle of your swimsuit walk! As a seasoned pageant queen, here are some things that you will need that aren't always told to you!

-a steamer, your dress always finds a way to wrinkle

-extra jewelry (gold and silver)

-BUTT GLUE (hint - works for competition sashes to stay on as well!)

-fake eyelashes (multiple sets!!)

-baby wipes (trying to put on your gown with butt glue still on = not fun)

-vaseline (no ashy legs aloud!)

-safety pins (your dresses always somehow are too big on the day of competition)

-double sided tape

-cute and stylish outfits for every day that you are there!

-when offered to you, get the hair and makeup services, it makes the day much less stressful

Step 7. When pageant day/weekend/week comes, just relax and go into it with confidence and looking to make new friends! It is so much better going into it calm and with a positive attitude than going into it only looking to win. The girls you meet at the pageant are going to be lifelong friends, thats how this all started for The Tiara Teens!

Step 8. If you don't win, be happy for the girl who did! Nothing looks worse than being the girl who has a pout on her face. If you do win, be grateful, not snotty. Pageants are an amazing learning experience, and are what you make of them!

 xoxo TTT

The Becoming of The Tiara Teens

The Becoming of The Tiara Teens

During the week of the Miss T.E.E.N. United States national pageant, us three (Nikki, Alli, & Abby) became inseparable. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that I have never met such humorous, girly, ambitious, and real girls. Our bond was instantaneous. From the  day of orientation, we clicked. Who would have ever imagined that girls from all over the country would have formed a friendship so strong. I am so happy and honored to call these girls my best friends. Now lets get to the fun part, stuff about pageants :)

xoxo TTT

25 Things You Should Know About Miss T.E.E.N. New Jersey 2013, Abby DePhillips

25 Things You Should Know About 
Miss T.E.E.N. New Jersey 2013, Abby DePhillips

1. Pink is my favorite color and I wear it every single day.

2. I was once captain of a cheerleading squad, but stopped when I realized how much I hate football. 

3. I'm obsessed with Broadway and have seen over 100 shows.

4. I'm the oldest of five children.

5. I have a perfect chihuahua named Jean Valjean after Les Miserables.

6. I performed at the Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland.

7. My favorite foods are French fries and cupcakes.

8. My high school musical Beauty and the Beast won the 2013 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award for Outstanding Overall Production in the state of NJ.

9. In addition to Jean Valjean, my family has two other dogs, Bauer and Brody.

10. I spend every summer in Manhattan Beach, California.

11. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be Disney's Belle when I grow up... this hasn't changed.

12. My role models are Laura Osnes, Olivia Culpo, Kate Middleton, Gaspar Cruz, Audrey Hepburn and Miss United States Intercontinental 2013, Chrissy Reynoso.

13. I'm a terrible singer, but refuse to stop trying. 

14. I love baking, and even have a company called Abby Cakes. I also do princess character parties!

15. I spent two weeks in China.

16. Glitter's my favorite, so I bedazzled my toilet. 

17. My favorite designer is alice + olivia and the amazing Bryant Park store even gave me a shopping party to raise money for my favorite charity, Broadway Cares.

18. I love anything chocolate peanut butter.

19. I get easily addicted to The Sims 3. 

20. Although I don't see it at all, I often get told I look like Ariana Grande, Lucy Hale and Selena Gomez.

21. My favorite place to be is New York City.

22. I really don't like swimming, so I just tell people it's because I'm a mermaid.

23. I absolutely love ice hockey, and even assistant managed a AAA team at age 14. 

24. My favorite TV show of all time is 24. (I did that on purpose.)

25. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.