MUO President Paula Shugart weighs in with a candid analysis of the unique evaluation criteria that makes this pageant system, along with its winners, so successful.

Paula Shugart is the President of the Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE, MISS USA and MISS TEEN USA competitions. As head of an international company that advances and supports today's women, Ms. Shugart oversees a global operation with offices in New York and in Los Angeles and with representatives worldwide, staffed by experts in fields ranging from marketing and TV production to licensing and travel. PHOTO COURTESY OF MISS UNIVERSE L.P., LLLP

How important is a qualified judge in choosing a representative of the Miss Universe Organization?
It is important to have people who understand what the organization is looking for in a titleholder. Being a Miss Universe or Miss USA titleholder is a unique experience in that you have to basically give up your life for a year—a very exciting year, but there certainly is some stress involved. I often try to imagine what it must be like to have the realization you are moving to New York tomorrow and every day for the next year is going to be scheduled for you. It is exciting but so incredibly demanding. The judges have to try and find a person who can handle the stress, while remaining poised and beautiful and the same time.

As a unique system with three separate age divisions, what are the main differences in judging criteria?
I think they are all very different. For Teen USA, we are looking for someone who can represent her peers and has that youthful quality people can relate too. She is someone you could see on the cover of Seventeen or CosmoGirl. Miss USA is a beautiful young woman who should be a little more mature and more about glamour, since she is, after all, representing the USA at the Miss Universe pageant! And Miss Universe should be someone who has that “it” factor no matter what country she is from. I really love going to the Miss Universe pageant and meeting so many beautiful young women of all nationalities. They are all so unique yet have so many things in common.

Being a true international competition, are there differences in judging criteria within different countries? How important are the cultural differences when judging?
Oh, absolutely. Each licensee organization around the world has their own thoughts as to who will best represent them and be an ambassador for their country. Obviously, it is very important to be able to appreciate the differences of each culture and see the star quality in everyone. I think Flaviana Matata of Tanzania was a perfect example this year. She was a beautiful representative of her country, and it was very important for her to remain true to her African roots and keep her head shaved for the pageant. She in no way tried to “conform” to a certain image, and the judges were able to appreciate her unique qualities.

Why do competitions such as Miss Universe continue to be relevant and garner the attention they do from society?
I know I say this a lot, but mankind has been celebrating beauty since the beginning of time, and any time you have beautiful, charming young women from around the world, people will be interested. That’s one of the reasons I love having National Costume at the beginning of the Miss Universe telecast, because it truly shows why we are unique.
Also, I know people sometimes joke about “world peace” and pageants, but there really is a lot of truth to it. It really is like a mini-United Nations when we are on location. This year, two contestants from countries which are traditionally hostile toward one another became best friends. I know one of them had never even met anyone from the other country before. I think pageants have a very positive impact.

What can an interested young person learn from competition?
Without a doubt you learn self-confidence and how to be comfortable in your own skin. Anytime you push your own personal envelopes and challenge yourself, you will grow as a person. Sure, someone will end up being “crowned” at the end of the competition, but it really is such a small part of the whole experience. Hopefully, each contestant has made the most of the experience, as well as realizing she can do anything she sets her mind to.

Please note some of the benefits of competing in the Miss Universe Organization.
Oh, they are too numerous to mention! No, actually I think we have some really amazing state directors who are dedicated to making the pageant experience a great one for all who compete. I am very proud of who we are and what we represent.

What are a few of the upcoming plans that we can expect from MUO?
We just renewed our contract for three years with NBC, and we are in the midst of gearing up for a reality show on MTV revolving around our three titleholders and their adventures throughout the year of their reign. It is very exciting but a little scary. We have a great opportunity to break some stereotypes for a larger audience. This show offers us a chance to demonstrate that our titleholders are real women who happen to be living a very surreal life.

What qualifications are most essential to being a good event judge?
I have had experiences (thankfully rare) wherein I thought judges would be absolutely terrific and had the perfect credentials, only to find they were so set in their ways that they weren’t able to see who would represent the organization well. Particularly for Miss Universe, we need people who can appreciate cultural differences and really take them all into account when making their decisions. For all of our pageants, we tell our judges to find someone who is natural and comfortable, not overly coached. Not that I think coaching is bad, as long as it helps someone get in touch with their own personality. I hate it when a contestant is obviously reciting what someone told her to say and is not 100% comfortable with what she is saying.

When interviewing a participant, what are your questions designed to find out?
Well, for preliminary it is really a chance to get a feel for personality and those things a contestant is passionate about. On stage it is also an opportunity to see how someone does under pressure.

How should a contestant prepare for Interview?
Be passionate and speak from the heart. I tell all of the Miss USA contestants before Interview that there is no right or wrong answer. If they truly believe in something and are willing to back it up with why they feel that way, it will come across to the judges. I think in preparing for Interview, a contestant should really work on how best to get their point across. Try to think and speak concisely. Also, in this day and age, people really overuse the word “like.”

What judging standards should be stressed to new judges?
First of all, with the time constraints, I would tell people not to get overwhelmed. Judging can also be very stressful. It is very important they stay focused and give each contestant equal time. I also tell them to think of a hypothetical situation: They are going to an event and they have been told Miss USA, Miss Universe, and Miss Teen USA will be there. What does that mean to them and what kind of person would they expect to see. When they meet a contestant, does she fit that image?

What do you feel is the most important quality in a winner?
Remaining humble.

How much importance do your judges place on physical fitness?
Being physically fit is very important. Obviously, the Swimsuit competition is a third of the score. However, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being healthy. Eat smart and sensibly and don’t starve yourself. There is no way you can remain fit if you don’t have a healthy diet.

Do you feel that contestants who have “taken a stand” on a particular issue score higher or lower than those who have not?
Well, as I said, I think if it is something you feel passionate about and express yourself well, it will only benefit you. The more passionate you are about something, the more opportunity for others to see the real you.