Fijian Beauty Queen - Torika Watters

They say, “Age is just a number,” but for recent winners in the Miss World pageants it has meant losing the opportunity to represent their country in Mongolia in August.

This past weekend, Fijian beauty queen Torika Watters was disqualified for being underage. Under the advice of Miss World Fiji pageant director Andhy Blake, Watters entered the competition. She is 16; the minimum age requirement to compete is 17.

The decision to replace Watters with the first runner up Koini Vakaloloma follows negative criticism of the European-Fijian beauty who lacked the naturally frizzy hair that is indigenous to the nation. Watters looks forward to leaving this “pageant fiasco” behind her.

Former Miss Ireland - Marie Hughes

In April, Marie Hughes won the title of Miss Ireland and was quickly stripped of the crown after organizers were informed she would be 26 at the time of Miss World making her too old to compete. Despite besting 34 other beauty queens, Hughes will not represent Ireland in this summer.

In a similar case, Jenny Blanco who was to represent the Dominican Republic at Miss World, does not meet the competition’s age requirements either. Blanco is 27. Organizers in the Dominican Republic initially reported that an exception was going to be made for Blanco to compete but recent reports confirm this is not true.

Jenny Blanco - Miss Dominican Republic

Where do you stand on the issue? We’d love to hear what you think and ask that you remain honest yet kind in your remarks!

Renowned Pageant Makeup Artist - Kelly Wisniewski

Want to know the secrets to nailing the perfect pageant makeup look? Then check out Allie’s latest interview with renowned pageant makeup artist Kelly Wisniewski to learn her tricks of trade.

From the best brands for the stage to her can’t live without products – Kelly dishes on all the things you need to know to accomplish that flawless face for your next pageant.

Keep reading to take your look to the next level!

Keep reading to get glam!

Want to know about the latest in evening gown fashion for the 2012 Miss USA state pageants? Check out this video to watch Prita and Nicole recap the hottest trends that helped the 2012 Miss USA state titleholders stand out from the crowd this pageant season.

Click on the video above to watch Pageant Professors’ exclusive interview with Miss MA Teen USA 2012. You are not going to want to miss this!

The always amazing Molly Whalen caught up with Pageant Professor Nicole in Massachusetts recently to watch her sister-queen Sydney Levin-Epstein pass on her crown. Watch the video about to hear all about Molly’s experiences at Miss America and what she has coming up next!

Pageant Professor Nicole was recently in Massachusetts for the Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen competition. There she caught up with the adorable Sydney Levin-Epstein and got the scoop on her secrets to being a petite contestant, how pageantry has had a huge impact on her academic life and how she finally decided on the perfect talent outfit. You are not going to want to miss this Pageant Professors’ exclusive! Take a look!

1. Glow sticks are the new face paddles. Hundreds came to see a record number of contestants compete for the title of Miss Massachusetts’s Outstanding Teen 2012 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The contestants rocked denim jeans and sparkly tops for a not-your-average opening number introduction to Lady Gaga’s Edge of Glory for the judges and audience. Dancing in 4 inch stilettos is one thing, but dancing in the dark with flashlights in hand is a whole ‘nother ball game! The audience showed support for their favorite teens by waving glow sticks in the dimly lit auditorium; what a unique idea.

2. Talent is the most heavily weighted portion of the Outstanding Teen competition at 35% of a contestant’s overall score. After my interviews with Molly Whalen, Miss Massachusetts 2011 and Sydney Levin-Epstein, Miss Massachusetts’s Outstanding Teen 2011 I had a rare opportunity to speak with one of the judges. When asked what he was looking for in the next titleholder he responded, “I’m looking for someone that’s well rounded. The girls are all very confident…it’s going to come down to the talent.” The newly crowned MissMassachusetts’s Outstanding Teen 2012 Amy deSilva sang the Beatles classic “Let it Be,” dedicated to her grandmother. She wore a bright, printed one shoulder mini dress, a nod to 70’s style but still modern and appropriate for a teen competition. Other talent presentations included country inspired jazz routines, soft shoe Irish step dancing and classical piano.

3. It pays to be SMART. The contestants themselves determined what questions would be asked of their fellow competitors on stage. Issues included time management, role models and the impact of social media, celebrity and rap music on our society. The hottest topic of the evening? Bullying. Winner Amy deSilva talked about her SMART plan for dealing with the issue at her school: Seek help, Make a plan, Assert yourself, Report bullying and Talk about bullying.

4. Anything can happen at a live show. Amidst an entertaining talent competition, a contestant’s cd began to skip before it cut out entirely. Testing your music before pageant weekend is critical and having a back up copy just in case is a must! But if you find yourself in a similar predicament know that there is no shame in walking off. This courageous young woman took a moment to regain her composure, returned to the stage and didn’t skip a beat during her lyrical dance performance to Leona Lewis’ Happy.Bravo!

5. Spring is in the air. Although blue and purple were popular evening gown color choices, the ones that caught my eye were printed, floral and shades of pink. 4RU Avery Stump showed off her tall thin frame in a white empire waist, 3RU Gina Lightner chose floral prints for both evening gown and talent competitions, 2RU Hayley Morais was an audience favorite in a red strapless that lengthened her petite frame, 1RU Kristina Ayanian wore my favorite gown of the pack, a light pink one shoulder ball gown and the winner shined in a ball gown with metallic floral details.

Congratulations again to Amy deSilva and best wishes on your journey to Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2012!

Christophe Archambault/Getty Images

For all intents and purposes, Jenna Talackova is stunning. A leggy modelesque beauty with exotic features and gorgeous blonde locks. For all intents and purposes, Jenna Talackova is also female… as of now. Her lawyer, Gloria Allred, is in the process of convincing Donald Trump to allow her client to participate in the Miss Universe Canada pageant. The pageant rules state that contestants must be “naturally born” women. Jenna has said that she felt as though she was female since childhood. The question here is whether or not body parts define personhood.

As of now, Jenna’s participation hangs in the balance. The Miss Universe Canada website states, “The Miss Universe Organization will allow Jenna Talackova to compete in the 2012 Miss Universe Canada pageant provided she meets the legal gender recognition requirements of Canada, and the standards established by other international competitions”.There are 63 finalists currently listed for the 2012 pageant and Jenna is not included. The pageant will be held May 19, 2012 in Toronto.

Jenna’s participation begs the question as to what is fair and just for her versus what is fair and just for the other competitors. The jury is still out and we anxiously await the outcome.

What are you thoughts on this touchy subject? We ask that you remain honest yet kind in your remarks.

There are lots of insider secrets a contestant needs to know when it comes to pageantry: Nude high-heels, Vaseline on your teeth and of course, stage-worthy false lashes. But today we are going to clue you in to perhaps one of the MOST valuable weapons in a pageant girl’s arsenal… how to find the perfect awe-inspiring gown for your next pageant at a fraction of the cost! Not possible you say? Well hold on to your tiaras ladies because Nicole sat down for a fabulous interview with Rachel Henry, the founder of PageantResale.com – the premier pageant consignment resource for all your competition wardrobe needs. Rachel Henry dishes about why she decided to start the site, what to look for in the perfect gown and most importantly, her expert advice on how to become a Pageant Resale pro! Check it out!

Don’t forget to sound off in the comments below! We’d love to hear what you think!

Spending several hundred or thousand dollars on an evening gown may be doable for some contestants (thanks to generous families or sponsors), but other girls may be more strapped for cash come pageant season. If this is the case, sometimes borrowing a gown or even purchasing a used gown at a discount can work to one’s advantage.

In recent years, a Miss Maryland USA won in a borrowed gown as did a Mrs. Arizona. The Audience Choice award winner at Mrs. United States was wearing a designer gown that she bought at a fraction of the price from a former Mrs. contender.

How do you go about borrowing or buying a used a gown? Like most things in life, building relationships is key. Get to know a couple girls in the pageant industry through Facebook, orientations, etc. Ask around! Scour pageant resale websites or consignment stores. Check these websites often as they typically update their inventory weekly. Don’t be afraid to get in touch with girls whose dresses you have admired—they may be interested in selling them! For example, I was in love with a gown worn by a Mrs. United States contestant, and emailed her about how much I loved it after the show. She was kind enough to tell me where she got it, and I knew that she would think of me if she was ever interested in selling it. Ebay is also a great place to look for bargains and discounts (we recommend searching by designer name).

Ever think the evening gown of your dreams (and within your budget) may already be in your possession? Mix up a gown hanging in your closet by adding rhinestones, an easy DIY project.  Prita did just that to a gown she owned for added stage presence at Miss DC USA in 2010. Change the look of the gown even more by adjusting the neckline or adding a slit, but make sure you enlist the help of a professional for these and other major alternations.

As a reminder, the cost of your dress is not directly related to your odds of winning. If you are on a budget, stick to it and get creative! Remember that tailoring is key. If you borrow a gown and cannot get it altered, make sure to get crafty with hemming tape and pins if permitted. Happy shopping!