National American Miss

We have been to NAM a few times and always had a great time. However, this year, it has changed.

For reference, this is the NAM Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and one other state I don't remember. Also, certain states are owned by different people so your experience may differ. I was shocked when additional judges were added at the final show, girls competing not in the program, winners without submitted resumes (this is my friend's daughter so I know this from her directly), winners who tripped during formal wear, or botched personal intros. It was clear the winners were chosen before we even competed.

I always believed it was fixed however, my daughters enjoyed it so it was worth it. Now I find out there is a separate selection committee that instructs the judges on who to pick. I am so disappointed NAM was not what I thought it was. Don't be like me and waste your money.

Anyone who tells you different is in the director's circle, or a coach who is someone in their circle or they don't know about the selection committee like me and are just blind. Please don't waste your money.

I strongly advise against participating in this pageant. It is a profound disappointment and feels like a scam.

Unfortunately, I cannot share images here, but if you could see them, you would truly the issues at hand.

This event does not with the principles of a genuine beauty pageant it's not about showcasing talent or natural beauty; rather, it seems to prioritize favoritism and questionable practices. The entire experience is not only disheartening but also discriminatory, excluding those who do not fit a specific mold.

I implore you to reconsider before investing your time or money.

This pageant perpetuates an environment that undermines the very values it claims to represent. Please protect your daughters from this disappointing reality.

My daughter's first year participating cost $650.00 to enter, which doesn't include anything. We still had to pay $35 for a production shirt which should have been included, and the crash course was an extra $25 for them to practice, which should have been free for all.

Three roses cost $20 when we could have gotten them cheaper at the store, and some people even brought their own. The schedule was so jumbled up; the required activities should have been grouped together and the optional ones scheduled afterwards. This is only right, especially for people working and not staying in the hotel. The pajama party could have been better; they could have had snacks or something for the girls, provided lunch especially when they had to be there all day, and discounted parking, which I spent $60 on over three days.

They can do better. I would advise you to ask lots of questions.

Oh, and the optional contest cost $100 or more, and if you're not in any of that, you might not be in the top ten. They're looking for people who spend money.

I am preparing for my state pageant and when going to the NAM Website, I stumbled upon this page. I was very shocked to see such a low rating.

A lot of these reviews seem to be from upset parents of children who didn't win. Investing into something and not getting the desired outcome can be frustrating. I've been there. I speak from experience, when you learn more in the losses.

Likewise, I've learned that I don't need a crown to make a difference or serve my community. In fact, I have even earned 3 awards for my volunteerism- including the President's Volunteer Service Award. I didn't recognize the importance of volunteering until my time with NAM. I've learned I can inspire people without a crown.

To the person who said a bald or "fat person" shouldn't win, you are just wrong. As a plus size contestant, I have been given opportunities to speak publicly and give interviews about my experiences as a plus size woman in pageantry. I didn't need a crown for that. I have made so many amazing, beautiful, accomplished friends through NAM.

Girls who are size 2's and size 22's. Girls who have won national and international titles. Girls who won their state pageant first try (without entering optionals might I add) Girls who are still working towards their first title. Girls who have won their state title multiple times.

True genuine friendships. Girls I have traveled cross-country to support, and girls who are traveling cross-country to support me. I am 23 years old and have interviewed for around 6/7 jobs in my lifetime. Whether it was at a local boutique at 16 or at a billion-dollar company for a job I didn't qualify for on paper...

I have gotten every single job I have interviewed for. I thank National American Miss for these life skills. Another thing I see brought up is the financial aspect. I would be lying if I said it was cheap.

I would love to see NAM be more accessible for all girls and women. However, the high production value is unlike any other state pageant - minus Miss USA or Miss America. It is that level. That cost money for the directors.

Renting ballrooms for rehearsals cost money. Hiring judge's cost money. Paying the state titleholder's entry fee to National's cost money. It isn't cheap for them either.

My advice is invest into what invests into you. If you have no aspirations to be an actress, don't enter that optional. If you have no interest in modeling, don't enter the modeling competitions. Optional contests have no bearing on the winner.

Same with coaching. If investing in coaching is what it takes to not only help you get the crown but also further in life, do it. I think I have learned more about "real life" than pageants with my coach. It isn't a scam.

It isn't human trafficking. Yes, it can be expensive. No, you are not promised to win. Yes, they are strict on refunds.

Yes, the letter in the mail is sketchy at first. But just because your child didn't win, or you didn't even give NAM a chance in the first place doesn't mean is an awful company. There is a reason girls come back year after year.

Look at the experience with the perspective of what you gain if you do not win. If you are entering for only the crown the experience isn't for you.

My friend's daughter has been participating in this pageant for years. I did research in the beginning and based on the info I found it is an obvious scam.

The pageant has no mainstream sponsors and it appears that they keep the money flowing in their inner circle because the girls are referred to specific individuals for dresses, shoots, training in runway walking etc. The daughter of the ones who spend the most are more likely to win. Luckily for my goddaughter her mother is a spender so she's won multiple times. I hoped her mom would wake up after spending tens of thousands of dollars, but now her daughter is roped into another of their pageants!

This organization preys on little girls seeking validation and parents who don't know any better. Don't be their next victim.

They canceled the pageant during the pandemic. We paid registration fees and a talent fee.

The day the pageant was canceled my daughter paid the talent fee. NAM knew they were canceling the pageant and took several hundred dollars from a full time college freshman who was working 2 jobs to pay for school. I can understand losing the registration fee as this was paid much earlier and it was before the pandemic hit, but to take money knowing that the pageant is being canceled should be criminal. They are a SCAM and they are THIEVES.

I wouldn't want my daughter representing or being associated with a business who STEALS from their customers.

Disgusting behavior. Do not involve yourself with this shady pageant.AVOID