Each week, I share no-fluff pageant coaching to help you lead, speak, and leave a legacy. With 300+ interviews and coaching across Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss America, this isn’t theory—it’s what works.
So here's the tea: I'm writing a book. Again. But this time it's not another volume of "Confessions of a Pageant Queen." This book is different. It's a beginner's guide to pageantry. A literal A to Z for someone who has never stepped foot in the world of crowns and sashes.
Now, before you roll your eyes and say, "But Adrian, most of us watching this already do pageants,"—I know. This isn’t for you. But you know you’re the first one to convince your best friend, your cousin, your barista, and that one random girl at yoga class to sign up for a pageant. And when you do, they come running to you, eyes wide and confused AF. This book is for them. And maybe a little bit for you too, because explaining the difference between an at-large title and an appointed one for the fifteenth time is exhausting.
Because Pageants Don't Come With a Manual
Let me take you back. I'm from Sydney, Australia. Not exactly the mecca of pageantry. When I first dipped a toe into this sparkly pool, I was overwhelmed. No clue what the local-to-state-to-national-to-international pipeline was. And don't even get me started on how there could be three girls from Australia competing at the same international pageant with titles like Miss Oceania and Miss South Pacific. I was like, huh?!
And the categories? I mean, I understood evening gown and swimsuit. But "fun fashion"? What are we doing—playing dress-up at recess? Then there’s the two-minute interviews, the different walks for every segment, and let’s not forget the minefield that is pageant terminology. It was like learning a new language with zero Duolingo.
That’s why I wanted to write a book that would give newbies a lay of the land. Not to turn them into seasoned pros overnight, but to reduce that “what the actual hell is going on” factor.
The Case Against (Most) Coaches
Here’s a spicy take: not everyone needs a coach. And a lot of so-called “coaches” shouldn’t be coaching. Just because someone did one pageant or posts inspirational quotes on Instagram doesn’t mean they’re qualified to take your money.
I’ve seen it too many times—first-timers pouring hundreds (or thousands) into coaching before they even know if pageantry is their thing. And for what? Tips on how to walk when you still can't walk in heels? Interview coaching when stringing a sentence together is a struggle?
My advice? Just enter. See what it’s like. Then if you love it and want to level up, that’s when coaching might make sense. But for that first plunge, you don’t need to overcomplicate it. This book is here to help you do well enough that you don’t walk off stage swearing never to do it again.
Safety, Scandals, and the Sensible Middle Ground
Look, pageantry isn’t perfect. If you think it's going to fix all the problems in your life, it won’t. If you think it's a sexist relic that needs to be cancelled, you're missing the point. I'm in the middle. There are incredible opportunities in this industry—but there are also red flags. Scandals. Extortionate contracts. Draconian NDAs. Judging inconsistencies. These things matter, especially for young women stepping into this world for the first time.
This book isn’t here to scare anyone, but it is here to make you aware. A little knowledge can save a lot of heartbreak. And hopefully, it’ll help keep more people safe, informed, and empowered as they step onto the stage.
A Quick, Digestible Read—Because No One Has Time for Fluff
I’m writing this to be short, sharp, and fluff-free. You should be able to read it over a couple of lunch breaks or knock it out in a weekend. Each chapter will be its own bite-sized nugget of wisdom—no filler, no nonsense.
And if you're interested in helping me shape it, I’m looking for beta readers. People who can give honest feedback—what to add, what to cut, what made no sense whatsoever. Shoot me an email and I’ll send you a PDF of the draft once it’s ready. No charge, just your thoughts in return.
One Resource to Rule Them All
This book is the first piece of something bigger I’m building with The Pageant Project—a hub of real, useful resources for pageant contestants at every level. After hundreds of interviews and thousands of conversations, it’s time to centralise that knowledge.
So whether you’re a beginner, a veteran, a coach, or just someone who keeps getting asked “How do I even start with pageants?”—this book is for you.
And yes, I will be chained to my laptop until it’s done. Wish me luck. And if you want in on the beta reader list, you know where to find me.
If you're looking for personalised coaching, I offer a limited number of private sessions. It’s for women who want tailored strategy, mindset support, and real accountability—on stage and beyond.
Pageantry is evolving—and you deserve coaching that’s more than surface-level. Join us if you're ready to go beyond the crown.
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