MISS UNIVERSE LIFTS AGE RESTRICTIONS

Can you imagine getting a second chance at a dream you once thought was impossible? Recently, the Miss Universe Organization announced lifting the age restrictions for the competition from the age of 28 for contestants. Meaning, all women over the age of 18 will be allowed to compete for the opportunity to become Miss Universe. How exciting is that? Women around the world will get a chance to embrace their empowering journey through pageantry and use their voice to create change… beginning with themselves.

For any of you who know my background, I am a very spiritual person and an avid believer in the Law of Attraction. In fact, I have manifested my greatest pageant and life accomplishments through manifesting and aligning with the energy of what I am trying to achieve. Understanding that we are all energy and what we focus on, we create, I believe this change reflects the desire of so many women around the world who have also aligned with this opportunity to manifest an incredible experience that may bring them to their state pageant, or even having the chance to walk the Miss USA stage.

The power that pageantry had in my life alone was monumental… it was my escape. For someone who suffered from insecurity and anxiety, I slowly learned to find my voice and communicate effectively in a world of strangers. The gift I was able to create through honoring my God whispers allowed me to tune into my spiritual path and tune out the noise from the world so I could begin to see myself through the eyes of my creator and not the world of fear. I can remember watching the Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants as a little girl and just dreaming of getting to walk like the beautiful women who graced the stage. I wanted to be just like them. I dreamed of it throughout my entire childhood into my twenties.

Unfortunately, because my self-esteem was so low, I never gave myself permission to even try to compete at my state Miss USA level. I watched and supported my friends who would compete and win as they shared with me the amazing stories of getting to meet women from around the country, be treated like celebrities, and learn so much about themselves in the process. I wasn’t ever envious because I could have tried, but I was channeling all of my love for pageantry into supporting them and being one of their greatest cheerleaders! As I aged out of getting to compete, I found my calling as a pageant coach where I get to do this for a living. 😊

I’m often asked how I feel about this age restriction being lifted, and I love it! In an era where women want to be acknowledged without age or gender discrimination, I truly believe this change is a step in the right direction. The MUO is allowing inclusivity unlike any we have seen since the pageant’s inception back in 1952. Eliminating the age limit sends a message to women that we are being recognized as change agents, style icons, and mentors for women of all ages. After all, isn’t this what pageantry is about? Getting to use your own story to create a positive ripple effect across the universe in ways that you most enjoy?

Just imagine the forty-something woman who gets to sit at a school assembly and inspire a young person to realize they are more than their circumstances. Or the fifty-year-old who has become the accomplished woman she dreamed of as a child, and can now share tools of knowledge to another young girl who may be afraid to take up space in this world.

What about the thirty-something woman who has paved a new road with her career and can add to the Miss Universe brand while inspiring another woman to realize it’s never too late to achieve her dreams? Think about the twenty-something who competed at her best and won her pageant title only to be inundated with the bullying and negativity of the voices screaming loudly into the world of social media. Does her age limit make this beautiful soul or her story any less inspiring?

Now that the Miss Universe Organization has given women of the world a chance to compete and see how far your story will take you, are you ready to be the first? It takes courage to step on a stage that has been utilized for the younger women, and to tune out the noise of the world and tune into your God whispers. It takes just one person to step out into that arena to pave the way for those who may be too frightened to be the first in a year filled with miracles. Are you willing to walk in holy faith and honor your God whispers?

XOXO,