One of the most important things for any beauty pageant contestant is knowing how to walk correctly. An uncomfortable looking walk, a stilted walk or a walk that is not smooth will cause the judges to deduct points, and you to possibly lose the crown. That’s why it’s vital you know how to walk correctly in a beauty pageant and what the judges are looking for.
Think Confidence – Before you even begin your walk, get it into your head that you are confident. What you think is projected onto your walk, so if you believe you look bad, you will. If you think you are going to fall, you will stumble. As the old adage goes, “Fake it till you make it.”Think confidence and project confidence. Everything from there is easy.
Practice in the Shoes You Will Wear – Never try to walk correctly in a beauty pageant in a new pair of shoes. You should always practice in the shoes you plan on wearing, so any potential problems can be fixed before you hit the stag — or you might literally ‘hit’ the stage.
Relax Your Body – The last thing you want to look is stiff. Relax your body before you begin walking. Shake your arms and hands so they feel more loose. Shake each leg. Roll your head slowly from side to side to loosen up your neck, and shrug your shoulders up and down to relieve the tightness.
Head Up – Walk with your head held high. Choose a point across the room and fix your gaze on it, so you can get your head in the correct position. Your chin should be on a level, and your eyes looking straight ahead to begin with. Your head should stay in predominantly that position throughout your walk. Just move it from side to side, and move your eyes so you look at different people, including the judges, as you move.
Walk With Hands at Your Side – Walk with your hands at your side. Your palms should be facing inwards, your hands should be relaxed, and your arms should swing slightly as you walk. Your shoulders should also be level and relaxed, as you don’t want to look stiff like a soldier.
Put One Foot in Front of the Other – Instead of walking like most of us do, with one foot going forward and then the other, but not often one foot in front of the other, make a conscious effort to place one foot in front of the other as you walk. This forces your hips to swivel slightly and creates a sexier walk. Watch how models on a catwalk do it. That’s why you should be emulating.
Smile – You can’t smile enough in a beauty pageant and your final marks will reflect that. Smile, smile, smile until you feel like your mouth is going to fall off. You might feel like an idiot but you’ll be one step closer to winning.
If You Stumble or Fall – If, heaven forbid, you stumble or fall on the day of the pageant, jump up, smile or laugh and keep on going. Faltering or wasting too much time on the ground or getting up and looking angry or upset will spoil your chances of winning.
If you jump up, laugh about it and take it all in your stride, your poise alone will cause your points to increase. Before long, you may just have that crown sitting on your head.