Competition Information

National titleholders are selected by competing in the areas of Private Interview, Fitness, and Evening Gown. Each area of competition is described in further detail below, along with the weight of each area.

Optional

   Competitions

Our titleholders must exemplify the physically fit modern American woman. They must exude confidence, enthusiasm and graceful carriage on stage. A separate award will be presented to the delegate in each division who receives the highest overall fitness score.

•Each delegate will supply her own wardrobe, with her own personal style and color choice being considered.

•Swimsuit, a one-piece or two-piece is permitted. However, all swimwear must be in good taste. No thongs are allowed. No cover-ups may be worn with swimsuits.

•Delegates may wear sheer hose with their swimsuit, if they so choose.

•Judging Criteria: Overall fitness and muscle tone, proportion, beauty of face and figure, poise, eye contact, grace and fashion sense

Swimsuit Competition (33.3%)

Evening Gown Competition (33.3%)

Miss Essence/ Mrs. Essence titleholders must project grace, style and sophistication. Each delegate selects her own evening gown. Their choice should reflect their own personality and style. The monetary value of the gown is not a consideration for judging.  Judges are looking at the woman in the gown, not the gown on the woman.

•Gown must be floor length.

•Judging Criteria: Overall appearance, beauty, poise, stage presence, fashion sense and delegate's ability to project comfortable elegance.

Miss Essence/ Mrs. Essence titleholders must be articulate and possess inner beauty, as well as outer beauty. They must have a sense of confidence and purpose, and be able to communicate effectively, while being able to manage the responsibility of being a titleholder.

•Personal interviews are conducted panel style, and are five (5) minutes in length.

•Delegates wear a suit, pantsuit, cocktail suit or dress for this event.

•Delegates will be asked questions based on the official application that each delegate submits.

•Delegates will not be asked questions of a controversial nature. However, the interview may include questions about current events and other timely topics.

•Judging Criteria: Personality, communication skills, character, beauty and fashion sense.

Personal Interview Competition (33.3%)

Essence People's Choice Award (Crowned Award)

This award is given to one delegate in each division of the pageant who receives the most votes on-line. There is no additional fee or paperwork to qualify for this award. All delegates are eligible for this award.

Essence Business Award 

This award is given to one delegate in the entire pageant who purchases the most program book advertisements in the official national program book. Delegates may purchase their own advertisements, or make seek out sponsors to purchase advertisements.

The design of the advertisement pages and photos that the delegate chooses to include in the advertisement pages is at the delegate's discretion. However, all photos and advertising layouts must be in good taste.

Essence Talent Award 

This award is given to the one delegate in the entire pageant that exhibits the mastery of her talent. Delegates are not required to participate in this category to qualify for the national titles, and it has no bearing on the outcome of the final pageant.

Supermodel's Photogenic Award

This award is given to one delegate in the entire pageant whose program book advertisement most intrigues the judge’s panel. This is a special award that each delegate may choose to qualify for by purchasing a half-page advertisement or larger in the national program book. Delegates may purchase the program book advertising themselves or may seek sponsorship to cover the costs. The design of the advertisement and photos that the delegate chooses to include in the advertisement is at the delegate's discretion. However, all photos and advertising layouts must be in good taste.

Pageantry Spirit Award

This award is given to one delegate in the entire pageant who the other delegates feel exhibits the true spirit of pageant competition. This is the delegate who the other delegates vote on as the most congenial, pleasant, helpful and with the most positive attitude throughout the pageant.

Achievement Award

This award is given to one delegate in each division, and is judged by a separate panel of judges. Each delegate will have the opportunity to submit an essay that outlines any academic, professional and/ or personal achievements, or highlights any obstacles that a delegate has overcome, or any contributions that a delegate has made to her community, volunteer efforts, school, workplace or other areas.