As an experienced pageant coach and a judge, I have heard many questions over the years.

But none more than the 5 questions I'm about to share below.

The problem is that contestants often come with the same or similar answer.

Judges are bored to death of hearing the same thing contestant after contestant.

So while I encourage to add these questions to your arsenal.

I challenge you to try to come up with unique and personal answers to each.

But for now, I'm going to share the 5 common pageant interview answers that judges are tired of.

The Dreaded 'Who is Your Role Model? And Why?' Question

Can you guess what the answer is?

If you said, "my mom", then you are correct.

This is by far the MOST common answer to this question.

And it's not that "my mom" is a bad answer.

It's just that it's usually followed by a vague supporting sentence.

Something like this: "My mom because she loves me, supports me and gives good advice."

Imagine hearing contestant after contestant give this same answer?

It's honestly boring.

And guess what?

Nobody stands out to the judges.

You may be thinking to yourself but Toni Ann Singh won Miss World and she talked about her parents being her role model.

This is true, however, the way she delivered her answer was a breath of fresh air.

She gave a very touching analogy that was different from the way most contestants speak of their parents.

Advice:

If you want to say that your mom is your role model then give specific examples of why you feel that way.

Share a time when your mom showed you, unconditional love.

Share a story about when she supported you during a difficult moment.

Tell us the best advice she's ever given you and how it worked for you.

However, the next time you come across this question, I challenge you to choose someone who isn't your mom.

Maybe someone who holds the same job that you aspire to have.

Think of someone who has done remarkable community work.

Or someone who has overcome adversity.

Some judges may look at the "my mom" answer as an easy out.

So why not surprise everyone by being bold enough to choose something different.

Why do you want to win this pageant?

Answer: "I want to win because I want to be a role model for my peers."

When you give this kind of answer, what you're inadvertently saying to the judges is that you don't see yourself as a role model.

While that isn't what you mean, that's what you're communicating to the judges.

And the truth is, you don't need a crown and sash to be a role model to your peers.

A role model is someone who sets a good example for others to follow.

If you're competing in a pageant then chances are that you're already a role model.

You just haven't taken the time to identify what makes you a role model.

Advice:

Stay away from "I want to be a role model."

If you take the time to reflect on your life I am sure you will discover that you are already someone worth admiring.

Once you've identified your accomplishments, ask yourself why those things were so important to you.

That's where you'll find your true answer to this question.

Why did you enter the pageant?

Aahh the famous "why did you enter" question.

Almost every contestant has had to answer this question.

And one of the most common answers I have heard includes some variation of the below.

"I entered the pageant for the experience and for personal and professional development."

This is a great opening line but I find contestants will often times leave it at that and move on.

Advice:

Be more specific.

Remember that the aim of the game is to stand out.

You leave room for other contestants to overshadow you when you don't share more with the judges.

What areas were you hoping to grow in that would contribute to your personal and professional development?

Detail the kind of experience you were hoping to have.

Did the experience meet your expectations?

If you had to live your life all over again, what part of your life would you change?

This question was asked at a Miss Universe pageant and the response went something like:

"I would not change anything because everything has made me who I am."

It's true that you can usually find the silver lining to the darkest of situations.

This insight only comes after some time has passed.

Also, that answer has been given so many times before that it's lost its novelty.

It's become a boring answer.

Advice:

When a contestant gives this answer I feel as though they do not see the opportunity presented to them.

When a judge asks this question, it's to get to know you better.

They can't know or understand you if you aren't vulnerable with them.

So next time, be bold enough to open up to your judges.

Take yourself back to a moment in time when you were struggling.

During that moment, wouldn't you have given anything not to be going through it?

That's the perspective you need to speak from.

Tell them a story about a struggle you endured.

The judges already know that adversity builds character.

But what they want to see is vulnerability and sincerity.

What would you do if you won this title?

"I will make a difference in my community by volunteering."

This answer is often given by beginner pageant girls.

And it tells the judges nothing.

What it does signify is that you don't have a plan.

It's great that you want to give back to the community.

But an answer like this leaves judges wondering how?

Advice:

During your pageant prep take a moment to figure out what you are most passionate about.

Then take that passion and turn it into your platform.

Create a plan of how you will make a difference with your platform.

This will help guide your answer the next time you are asked this question.

Final Thoughts

As an aspiring titleholder, you should always aim to show why you are the best choice for the job.

The interview questions are the best way for judges and the audience to learn more about you.

Be sure to spend time practising your interview questions.

The questions above are some of the most asked pageant questions.

You can start by breaking them down and then going from there.

Don't forget to be specific, vulnerable, and detailed.

The judges want authenticity.