Basic Rules to Compete - Mrs. Mississippi America and American
The Mrs. Mississippi America and American Competition is open to all ladies that are married at the time of entry, have lived in Mississippi three months prior to the competition and are a citizen of the United States. Be sure to read the Rules and Regulations carefully to be sure you qualify.
• Must be at least 18 years old - (No age limit)
• Must be legally married at the time of competition
• Must be Mississippi resident for 3 months prior to the competition.
(No performing talent required)
Basic Rules to Compete - Miss Mississippi for America Strong
The Miss. Mississippi for America Strong Competition is open to all unmarried ladies. Be sure to read the Rules and Regulations carefully to be sure you qualify.
• Must be at least 18 years old - (No age limit)
• Must be Mississippi resident for 3 months prior to the competition.
(No performing talent required)
When will applications for the 2025 competition be available?
They are available now. Click the link at the top of the page
Where do I submit my application?
In order to process your application and secure your local title, you must submit your production fees.
Click Apply at the top of the page and click the appropriate logo.
We do not offer refunds on fees paid.
Do I have to win a preliminary competition to compete?
No, there are no preliminaries you have to win for the 2025 competition, but America contestants may participate in a preliminary evaluation without an audience that will not be scored. Each will pick their own title (top three - first come, first serve) to represent the weekend of the state pageant.
Is there a fee to participate in the competition?
Please contact your state director for information on fees.
The winner receives round trip airfare to Las Vegas, Nevada, hotel and meals for the National Competitions in your category (Mrs. America, Mrs. American (the first runner-up), and Miss for America Strong, along with many other fabulous prizes.
Any fees submitted to the state are NON-REFUNDABLE; however, for extenuating circumstances that are discussed with the director, the contestant can transfer their deposit/payments to the next pageant year. After one year, all funds are considered donations to the organization.
Am I too old or too young to enter the competition?
The rules state that a contestant must be at least 18 years of age but does not specify an age cap that makes you ineligible.
Can I have children and still compete in the Miss or Mrs.?
Absolutely, we are a family pageant.
What is the best way to get some or all of my pageant fees covered?
-Sponsors are the best way to do this.
-Some contestants have created a GoFundMe page or something similar to ask friends and family for financial support.
-Some contestants have started a t-shirt drive in support of competing. You can check out the website www.customink.com that creates custom t-shirts that you can sell to raise money.
Judging and General Information
How is the competition judged?
The judges are looking for the contestant’s exhibition of Beauty, Poise and Personality, Fitness wear (with plain white sneakers/no show socks) , and Evening Gown.
The judging categories for America contestants are:
Personal Interview and Beauty - 50%
Fitness wear and confidence - 25%
Evening Gown and poise - 25%
On-Stage Question - will be asked to the top three Finalists and calculated into the score.
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The judging categories for True South contestants are:
Personal Interview and Beauty - 50%
Ball gown/pageant dress and poise - 25%
Fitness or Fun Fashion (depending on division) and confidence/personality - 25% (Fitness is not a part of tiny/baby, mini, little, young, and preteen divisions)**
On-Stage Question - will be asked of all contestants but not calculated into the scores (not a part of tiny or mini divisions)
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*Elite and Mrs/Ms. Mississippi True South will compete with America contestants and will be judged the same. She is selected based on her age, performance, and desire to compete or not compete at the national level in comparison with other America contestants.
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**Baby, tiny, mini, little, young divisions will be judged 50% for beauty and pageant dress and 50% for personality and modeling.
What other awards are recognized?
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Mrs./Miss Congeniality
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Photogenic (optional category for True South - $25 category)
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Best Costume - (optional category for True South - $25 category)
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Fabulous Face - Online competition that is part of the national charity Victoria's Voice (True South photogenic contestants automatically entered)
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Heart of Service (community service)
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Top Ad Sales
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Director's Choice
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Best Smile
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Best Model (walk)
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Best Personality
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Fitness (only Teen, Collegiate, Miss, Mrs., and Elite)
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Fun Fashion (only Baby/Mini, Little, Young, and Preteen)
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Audience Choice (based on money collected for the silent auction, which each contestant is responsible for turning in at check-in).
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*Depending on number of contestants per category, some awards may be overall winners for combined age groups.
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Who are the judges and where do they come from?
Our judges are always from varied backgrounds and in different stages of their life.
Is there a talent portion of the competition?
No but we will have a costume portion. There is no limit on the costume as long as it is age appropriate and represents the contestant's hometown or state. Each will prerecord a brief blurb that will play as the contestant models the costume.
Will I be judged on community service?
No. This is a beauty pageant. The winner oftentimes has a special interest that she would like to speak about and promote throughout her year. We encourage all contestants to have a platform/cause they are passionate about in mind. This can be one of her own or a well-known organization she supports.
What if I have a tattoo or body piercing?
Tattoos and piercing are a statement of your individuality, and to this point we have not prohibited anyone from entering the pageant because of them. Judges are not told to look upon someone negatively because of tattoos or piercing, but judging is a subjective process done by each individual differently. Should you feel that your tattoo might be offensive, you may want to make sure it is covered by your swimwear, gown or even body makeup. If you are uncomfortable with your naval piercing, you may want to make sure your wardrobe covers it, replace it with something smaller and less noticeable or remove it totally for pageant weekend.
Am I required to have a competition coach?
Having a personal competition coach is a personal choice and is NOT required.
What type of "Opening Number" outfit do I need?"
The "Opening Number" is not a judging category. However, you want to look gorgeous….this is the first time the judges see you on stage with makeup, smiling, walking dancing, and showing your personality. For America contestants, they need red cocktail dresses and nude heels. For older True South contestants, they need a royal blue dress (think Sunday best). All contestants over 5 years old (invited to Saturday's Funtime outing - not required to attend) need white shorts (think chino style - no cutoffs) and white Converse/Vintage Havana-style shoes for outing on Saturday; a t-shirt will be provided for them at check-in. Baby, tiny, and toddler divisions are not a part of the opening numbers or Saturday's outing.
What other outfits/items do I need for the weekend?
All contestants are provided a swag bag of sponsored gifts and t-shirts for Saturday's outing. They should all bring white shorts (no cutoffs - think chino), white Converse/Vintage Havana-style shoes, interview dress/jumpsuit (not for baby/tiny, mini, little, or young divisions), state/hometown costume, gown/pageant dress, nude heels, jewelry, interview-style dress/jumpsuit/romper (Mrs. and Miss America contestants only) for Friday evening dinner, Fun Fashion (youngers) or Fitness wear (olders - sports bra/tank, tights/shorts, white no-show socks, and white tennis shoes), opening number dresses, fun PJ party for Sat. evening.
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Do I have to shop with the competition sponsors when preparing for competition?
No. The sponsor information is provided for your information. The sponsors are extremely knowledgeable about preparing for the competition, but you are not required to purchase or rent your wardrobe from a sponsor.
What type of photo should I use for my official state competition photo in the program book?
Most contestants submit a professional “head and shoulders” photo with no hats or crowns on their head or hands in their face. This headshot needs to be in if not before at the time that ads are submitted.
Competition Weekend
Do I need to bring a gift for each contestant?
We do have a gift exchange at our Sat. evening True South PJ party. The gifts should be no more than $10. Many contestants find that personal hand-made gifts are the best gifts to give and receive.
If I am not named as a semi-finalist, will I still be in the competition finals?"
Yes. The non-finalists will still participate on stage throughout the evening. All contestants will be on stage for the crowning.
Do I need to pay for my meals while at the competition?
No. Your meals throughout the weekend of the state competition will be provided to you. However, contestants are encouraged to bring any additional snacks that you may want to have handy. If you have any special dietary requirements, please plan ahead and bring those foods/drinks with you.
When will tickets and programs be available?
Tickets will be sold online for $35 until Mar. 1 and tickets at the door will be $45 each.
Children under 5 years of age are free.
Children 6 and over will be admitted to the pageant with a ticket that is the same as an adult ticket.
Pageant Programs will be available for presale for $25 by Mar. 1st. Programs are full color and are $35 each if purchased at the door.
Can we videotape the pageant?
No. Videotaping by members of the audience is prohibited and those people may be asked to leave without refund.
We have invested in a professional videographer so that all can enjoy the experience.
Can I get my scores so I can prepare for next year?
No actual scores will be available. However, if you contact the director through email two weeks after the competition we will share with you “Judge Critiques.”
Where will the competition be held?
Hinds Community College
Cain-Cochran Hall
Raymond, MS
What to bring with you
You must bring to the competition with you:
-5 copies of your headshot - size 5X7
-5 copies of your application
-(OPTIONAL) 5 copies of a one-page flyer that emphasizes platform (pictures, information, website address, etc. This can be an original platform or a well-known charity/cause the contestant supports)
-5 folders/binders with the headshot and application in each; your online application will be sent back to you two weeks before the pageant to edit/update as needed. Feel free to decorate (professionally) the folder/binder to reflect the contestant.