I have always had an interest in modeling, since I was really young. I was always naturally slim, and during my pre-teen years I was slim, lean and had this odd point in where I appeared taller than a lot of girls my age but, then I just stayed that height after a while lol. I constantly got comments from strangers and family about modeling, so it naturally became something I was interested in. Now ......of course I know pageants and modeling are two different things but, I assumed since I did some modeling (fashion shows, loved taking pics) that I would be perfect in pageants.......WRONG!

 I did my very pageant when I was 17 years old. I was recently out of high school and pageants were not high on my radar. I grew up watching Miss USA and Miss America on TV like most pageant girls but, I never saw it as something that I could do.....pageants. I used to look at those girls as being this almost fairytale version of the best characteristics you could only dream of being. From their effortless beauty, to their articulated answers and gowns that would make your jaw drop.

Yes, modeling is a part of pageantry but pageants are so much more than that.

Somehow, a letter came in the mail about a pageant. It was a National American Miss (NAM) pageant. I was not familiar with pageants at all, I didn't know how huge the National American Miss system was, and I honestly didn't know much about it at all. I just knew I wanted to enter and see what pageants were all about.



 I went into pageants completely blind. I knew I needed a nice gown, and I knew that they had all of these categories that you could enter.  I did have a great gown that I happened to find for a really great price. I don’t remember exactly how much it was but it was less than $50.

 I don't have that gown anymore but, I do remember it was cream, with gold sparkles, it sparkled like a disco ball and the straps didn't fit that well lol.

 Social Media was not as huge back then, so I don't have any pictures...I know that may sound crazy lol! I really wish it did, so I could have pictures of that moment.

 I remember going to the pageant, seeing all of these girls, the stage and thinking "What did I get myself into??".  

 When it came to interview I was completely unprepared. I wrote on my bio sheet in pen (which is a huge No!). I wore this black pant suit that had strips in it, it did absolutely nothing for me. I went in that interview room and saw girls in these bright colored suits with skirts.... I automatically felt so out of place.  For the interview, you had to sit at a table to speak to the judges and I remember a judge asked me a super simple question like “What’s your favorite movie?”  I don't remember what I said. I just knew that I basically said "ummm, idk" and couldn't relay think of anything (how embarrassing!). Let’s just say I did not win interview.



 National American Miss, also has an onstage introduction category that you are scored on, I completely made up something on the spot. I remember watching this one girl , and she clearly had her intro memorized and even sang in hers....she also ended up winning  for that division.

 To sum it up, my first pageant, did not go as well as I envisioned it would go. Honestly, I did not feel great about it. I left feeling bad, insecure and just not great overall. However, after some time passed, I wanted to do another pageant. And that was the start of my “Tiara Obsession”.

 I had to learn in every experience you are not going win, whether it’s a pageants or in life. You have to learn from your experiences and use them to help you grow. That is what I did, and what I continue to do.  




I would have never thought, that my first pageant experience would have led me to something I love till this day (even though I haven't competed in  a few years ). I have had some great, memorable experiences from competing in pageants. It has helped me with so many things ....that I will talk about in a future blog post. Of course, if it wasn't for that first time, I wouldn't have started this blog. Which I love doing!!

My first pageant wasn’t perfect, but it was mine.


* I couldn't find pics from my first pageant, thanks to disposable cameras...these are pics throughout my pageant years.

Join us for our first Twitter chat on March 7^th at 8pm! We will talk about First Pageant Experiences. Use the hashtag #TiaraObsessions Subscribe on YouTube  and Follow on Twitter @tiaraobsessions to join us for a twitter chat !

XoXo- Shadei

Last years Miss Universe Top 5 contestants :USA, Australia, Philippines, Colombia and France

15)Malta: The first woman in my Top 15 is 26-year old Miss Universe Malta, Martha Fenech is the first Miss Universe Malta to compete at Miss Universe after a 15-year long hiatus from the pageant!


14)Chile: Miss Universe Chile, Catalina Paz Càceres has spent her free time volunteering at Racion Alzheimer Chile!

13)Namibia:  6-foot tall beauty Miss Namibia Universe Lizelle Esterhuizen is the first woman to represent her country in four years at the Miss Universe competition


12)Brazil: Itaberaba native Raissa Santana, Miss Universe Brazil, is the first black woman to represent Brazil at Miss Universe in thirty years!




11)Costa Rica: Carolina Duran, Miss Universe Costa Rica is an English teacher and collects non-organic residues from rivers to create a cleaner environment!

10)Sweden: Miss Universe Sweden is an aspiring personal trainer, and hopes to inspire others to eat clean and maintain a healthy lifestyle.


9)Slovak Republic:  Miss Universe Slovak Republic Zuzana Kollarova is a student at the University of Seattle and finishing her BSBA degree!


8)Croatia: This Zagreb, Croatia native is working to become a veterinarian after competing at Miss Universe!


7)Peru: Valeria Piazza, Miss Universe Peru has a degree in Communications from Universidad de Lima, and is an ambassador for many different community service groups!


6)Russia: 22-year old Miss Universe Russia is attending British Higher School of Art and Design, and loves to practice yoga!

5)Philippines:  Miss Universe Philippines, Pia’s successor, is a residential condominiums interior designer and has supported “Operation, Smile”!


4)Belgium: 19-year old Miss Universe Belgium is one of the youngest women to compete in the Miss Universe competition!


3)Germany: Miss Universe Germany, Johanna Acs has created her own charity organization, “Healing Art”, and would like to continue advocating for HIV awareness.


2)Paraguay: At, 5’10’’ Miss Universe Paraguay not only is a medical student, but is also a car racing co driver, and a math, chemistry and physics teacher!


1)USA: Rounding out the Top 15 for Miss Universe 2017 is Deshauna Barber, Miss USA! (Okay, maybe I’m a little bias)- but she is the first woman actively in the Army Reserve to win the Miss USA title, and uses her experience to work with soldiers suffering from PTSD in the Armed Forces.

Again, there are so many beautiful and intelligent women vying for this title! Good luck to every single one, and make sure you tune in on January 29th to see who Pia will crown! As always, feel free to email me at aemansolillo44@gmail.com with any questions, comments or concerns! Instagram: abbymansolillo Facebook: Abby Mansolillo Twitter:@abby_mansolillo

(Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev , Miss USA 2013 Erin Brady)

As a girl that has competed in several pageants throughout the years, I cant tell you how many times I had to explain this. If you are someone who competes in pageants, at some point you will be asked "Whats the difference between Miss USA and Miss America?" That question may be phrased as "Whats the difference?" or "Isn't that the same thing?" Inside you may roll your eyes , and be secretly annoyed. Also there is a chance you will have to explain it more then once.

To answer the question simply...YES, there is a difference. People tend yo get confused with both pageant systems for the following reasons:

• They both come on TV every year
• Both systems represent the United States of America
• Both systems consist of state titleholders and national titleholders
• The contestants are gorgeous!!!!

I do understand how confusing it can be for someone who isn't familiar with pageants, and only may think of pageants when they see both pageants on TV once a year. Both pageants are similar , but they have very clear cut differences. Here are the differences:

•  Miss America is a scholarship and talent based organization
• Miss USA there is no talent competition (not that the contestants aren't talented)
• Miss America has local pageants. Contestant MUST win a local pageant before competing at the state level. 
• Miss USA , some state pageant systems do incorporate local pageants but, this is not a must for every state. (Ive competed in NJ, they don't require you to compete in a local to compete for your state.)
• Miss America currently airs on ABC every year
• Miss USA/UNIVERSE will air on FOX. For years it aired on NBC, but that has recently changed. 
• Miss America does not have a international pageant component. Miss America is the highest title. 
•  Miss USA , is apart of the Miss UNIVERSE organization. After you win Miss USA , you go on to compete for Miss UNIVERSE.
•  Miss America started in 1921
• Miss USA started in 1952

 These are just some of the differences, but there are more. Hopefully this helped you understand the difference between the two popular pageant systems.

The next time someone asks you this question , you can throw them a couple of facts lol.

Till next time.....

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