Judging Criteria for Best in Pageantry

Each year, the Best in Pageantry Awards recognize the contestants, directors, and experts who are making the biggest impact in the industry. What makes these awards truly unique is that they’re not based on opinions — they’re powered by verified data, real reviews, and community nominations from across the pageant world.

Below, we’ll explain exactly how the scoring works and how winners are chosen.

How Best in Pageantry Scoring Works

Every contestant, pageant, and expert has their own unique scoring criteria. All rankings are determined using verified information from Pageant Planet profiles, combined with community engagement like reviews, nominations, and tagged activity.

Each category’s scoring breakdown becomes visible after you click the "Nominate" button so you can see exactly how each area is weighted and how to improve your score in real time.

This year, for example, the Pageant category follows this scoring formula:

Judging Criteria for Best State Pageant:

• ⭐ 4–5 Star Reviews Received in 2025: 50%

• 👑 Number of Contestants Tagged as Competed in 2025: 25%

• 📊 Pageant Planet Scoresheet Tabulation (Yes/No): 10%

• 🗳 Number of Nomination Votes: 15%

Note: You must receive at least one nomination to be considered for a Best in Pageantry Award.

How Winners Are Chosen

Winners are chosen based on verified performance data within Pageant Planet — not opinions, advertising status, or social media influence.

Each qualified profile (contestant, pageant, or expert) is automatically scored in real time using the criteria above. As new reviews, nominations, and tagged activity come in, rankings update instantly.

This means that:

• Transparency is built in. You can see your ranking at any time.

• No one “decides” the winners manually. The system calculates scores automatically.

• Every profile has a fair shot. Only what’s listed and verified on your profile counts.

If it’s not on your Pageant Planet profile, it doesn’t factor into your score — plain and simple.

How to Improve Your Ranking

Here’s how to give yourself or your organization the best chance to win:

1. Complete your profile. Fill in every section and keep it updated.

2. Upload and tag photos. Make sure your images are tagged with the correct year, event, and category.

3. Collect reviews. Encourage contestants, clients, or pageant participants to leave honest 4 or 5-star reviews. Reviews carry the most weight in your score.

4. Stay active. Tag contestants or experts you’ve worked with, and encourage them to do the same.

5. Get nominated. You need at least one nomination to qualify for an award.

Why This Matters

The Best in Pageantry Awards have been celebrating excellence since 2014, and this year marks a new era of transparency and fairness. By combining data-driven scoring with community input, Pageant Planet ensures that every winner truly earns their recognition.

It’s not about popularity — it’s about measurable impact.

The Best in Pageantry isn’t decided behind closed doors — it’s determined by you, your work, and your community. 👑