Contestant Numbers Don’t Decide Crowns… Your Presence Does

Spring is in the air, the days are longer, and competition season buzz is everywhere. Orientations, headshots, paperwork… and the yearly spiral about contestant numbers. Let’s breathe.

Here’s my take after years of competing, coaching, and judging: your contestant number is logistics, not destiny. The lineup doesn’t win or lose the title – you do, through preparation, presence, and authenticity.

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Why Contestant Numbers Don’t Matter

1) It’s outside your control

Focusing on what you can’t control hijacks your energy. The winning mindset anchors on your why, your job-readiness, and the moments you can own.

2) Judges score what’s in front of them

As a former judge, I can tell you we’re laser-focused on the person in the room or on the stage right now: criteria, job fit, clarity, and presence. We’re not tracking where you fall in the lineup; we’re doing our job.

3) You can stand out anywhere

Any slot in the order is an opportunity to shine when you’re prepared, confident, and grounded in who you are.

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3 Common Myths Debunked

Myth 1: “First never wins.”

Truth: Judges are oriented and trained to score consistently. Many panels warm up with the outgoing titleholder, so the “first interview” isn’t actually the first. Being early lets you set the tone – if you’re ready.

Real talk: I once drew #1 at Miss America. My interview struggled – not because I went first, but because I was in my head and didn’t warm up properly. The lineup wasn’t the problem; my mindset was.

Myth 2: “Last has an unfair advantage.”

Truth: Recency bias gets thrown around, but judges take notes and score to criteria. End of day can mean judge fatigue, too. Your job is identical at every slot: walk in like the titleholder, connect, and contribute.

Myth 3: “Middle gets forgotten.”

Truth: The middle isn’t a void; it’s most of the field. Judges aren’t checking numbers before they score. They’re looking for poise, clarity, authenticity, and job fit. AND whether they can picture you doing the role for 365 days.

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What Actually Moves the Needle

Confidence (the real kind)

You can’t fake it for long. True confidence comes from mindset work, preparation, and releasing the fear of what others think.

Authenticity

Perfection isn’t the assignment; presence is. Authenticity = expression, not perception. Show up honest, warm, and intentional.

Preparation

Get specific and organized. Identify gaps, prioritize what matters for this role, and use your limited time wisely. If you’re unsure where you stand, get an outside perspective (director, former titleholder, coach).

Connection

In interview and onstage, show who you are more than you tell it. Share concise stories that reveal your character, choices, and impact. People remember how you made them feel.

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A Judge’s POV (What We’re Actually Scoring)

• Alignment with the job description
• Communication: clarity, listening, responsiveness
• Presence: poise, energy, emotional regulation
• Vision: mission, impact, and a concrete plan
• Authenticity: values in action, not a persona

We’re not hunting for flawlessness. We’re looking for a ready, real human who can do the work.

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Control the Controllables: A Mini Toolkit

Before you spiral about your number, do this instead:

1) 5-minute visualization
Picture walking into the room or onto the stage as the titleholder. See your eye contact, hear your voice steady, feel your shoulders drop.

2) Accurate affirmations (believable > bubbly)

• I’m prepared and present.
• My job is to connect and contribute.
• I can handle any question with honesty and poise.

3) Warm-up reps
Voice, breath, and two quick practice responses (one values-based, one issue-based). Get out of your head and into your body.

4) Connection cue
Pick one story that shows your heart and your impact in 60–90 seconds. Keep it ready for interview or onstage Q&A.

5) Reset plan
If nerves spike: breathe for 10, relax your jaw/shoulders, plant your feet, and re-commit to one intention: “Be the job.”

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If Anxiety Shows Up Anyway

• Accurate self-talk: “The number is logistics. My presence is the differentiator.”
• Distraction on purpose: Music, a quick walk, coloring, or an audiobook to keep you out of the doom-scroll.
• Micro-proof: List three concrete reasons you’re ready for this job: skills, service, and a day-one plan.

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Bottom Line

You’re never guaranteed a crowning moment. But your contestant number isn’t the reason you do (or don’t) hear your name. The lineup doesn’t define your outcome. How you show up does.

Release the myths. Own your preparation. Lead with authentic presence.
Go have fun – that’s why you started.

If you want help stress-testing your prep (or finding the gaps you can’t see), I’m here. Let’s make your mindset and message undeniable.