Jessica Alexander Owens shares her return to the pageant stage after an eight year break and uses that experience to offer practical advice for queens coming back after time away. She also opens with a larger reflection on representation in pageantry, why it matters, and how seeing more Black women and women of color win can shape confidence for the next generation.

In this episode, Jessica reflects on her own competition at National American Miss Illinois Elite, what changed since her last stage appearance, and how pageant preparation must evolve with your life. The episode is both personal and tactical, with lessons for mothers, career women, and anyone returning to competition after a hiatus.

Key topics

• Jessica opens with why representation matters in pageantry and why recent wins by Black titleholders feel meaningful to her.
• She shares how pageantry helped her come out of her shell and become the woman she is today.
• She addresses the online scrutiny that non white titleholders often face after winning, including attacks on beauty, intellect, and legitimacy.
• She emphasizes the importance of celebrating queens instead of minimizing their wins.
• Jessica recaps her own return to stage at National American Miss Illinois Elite after eight years away.
• She shares her results, including fourth runner up, Miss Spirit, first runner up for Miss Personality, and first runner up for Best Resume.
• She explains how returning to competition refreshed her understanding of mental preparation as a coach.
• She outlines three major lessons for anyone stepping back into pageantry after a break.
• She talks about the value of life experience in elite, Mrs., and mature divisions.
• She stresses that preparation should match the pageant you are entering now, not the one you remember from years ago.
• She highlights the need to protect sleep, energy, and mental space during pageant week.
• She reflects on the sisterhood and encouragement she experienced at the competition, along with the possibility of competing at Nationals.

• Write down what the woman you are today brings to the stage.
• Research the current judging format, responsibilities, and titleholder expectations.
• Start prep early across finances, wardrobe, coaching, and mindset.
• Practice under realistic conditions, including round robin interviews and walking in your gown and shoes.
• Protect sleep and mental space during competition week.
• Give yourself grace if your return is not perfect.

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Join the Crown Chasers Community at community.crownchaserspageantry.com

Join the Ready to Reign Coaching Intensive at readytoreign.crownchaserspageantry.com

Brigitte Finister on Open Call, Faith, and Building a Pageant Career With PurposeBrigitte Finister, the newly crowned Miss Kentucky USA, joins Jessica Alexander Owens for a conversational interview about her road to Miss USA, her financial education work, and the mindset that keeps her grounded. She also opens up about preparing for a wedding one week away, balancing major life transitions, and what it means to lead with impact over image.In this episode, we discuss pageant preparation, the Miss USA open call process, and how Brigitte’s financial literacy platform fits into her broader mission to empower women.Key topics

• Brigitte introduces herself outside of pageantry as a daughter, fiancé, published author of three books, financial educator, founder of Pretty Pensions, and former professional dancer for NFL and NBA teams.
• She shares practical money advice for pageant contestants, including saving early in a money market account, budgeting for pageant costs, and securing sponsorships like a second job.
• Jessica and Brigitte talk about the intensity of the Miss Kentucky USA to Miss USA timeline and why strategic daily planning matters when you only have about six weeks to prepare.
• Brigitte explains the open call process, from submitting an application and fee to voting, advancing through groups, and finally submitting talking and walking videos for judge review.
• She recounts the moment she found out she had been selected for Miss USA, while sitting at a car wash with her fiancé, after more than 2,000 people voted for her consistently.
• She speaks about faith, divine timing, and how her support system and coaches have helped her stay confident through a fast-moving season.
• Brigitte says her favorite competition phase is interview because she loves one-on-one conversation, connection, and sharing her heart and mission.
• She outlines how she would use Miss USA to expand Pretty Pensions nationally through prosperity tea parties, one-on-one financial education, and programs tailored for teens and adult women.
• She reflects on the reality that pageantry can cost between $10,000 and $20,000 up front and says women should be treated like athletes who need real financial support and strategy.
• Brigitte names Cheslie Kryst as the Miss USA titleholder she admires most, citing her beauty, kindness, legacy, and impact on mental health conversations.
• She says winning means impact, not just a crown, and that every queen should always put people first.
• For young women entering their first pageant, she encourages them to bet on themselves, stay grounded in who they are and whose they are, and lean on a strong support system.

If I Had to Start My Pageant Journey Over Today… Here's What I'd Do Differently

What if you could go back to the very beginning of your pageant journey with everything you know now?

In this solo episode of the Crown Chasers Podcast, Jessica C. Owens shares the lessons she wishes she had learned sooner—from investing in the right things and building a personal brand to embracing authenticity and realizing that a crown is not the measure of your worth.

Whether you're preparing for your very first pageant or chasing your next title, this episode is filled with honest reflections, practical advice, and the mindset shifts that can save you time, money, and unnecessary frustration.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why authenticity will always outperform imitation

• Where to invest your money (and where to save it)

• The skills that matter more than an expensive wardrobe

• How to build a pageant brand that opens doors beyond competition

• Why your value isn't determined by the outcome on crowning night

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a fellow queen, leave a review, and follow Crown Chasers Podcast for more conversations where pageantry and purpose collide.

Remember: The goal isn't just to win a crown—it's to become the woman worthy of wearing it.

Join the Crown Chasers Community

community.crownchaserspageantry.com

Jessica Owens shares practical strategies for fundraising and sponsorship in pageantry, emphasizing mindset shifts, community support, and value exchange to secure funding and build confidence.

Visit crownchaserspageantry.com for more details on the Cash for the Crown Masterclass

Preparation is not optional — not if winning is the goal. In this episode, Coach Jessica Alexander-Owens breaks down the Ten Commandments of Pageant Prep: the non-negotiables every queen needs to follow before she ever steps on that stage. Whether you’re a first-time competitor or a seasoned titleholder, these commandments will challenge you to level up your prep, your mindset, and your strategy.

Resources & Links Mentioned

Ready to Reign Challenge — crownchaserspageantry.com/readytoreignchallenge

Connect with Coach Jessica

Website: crownchaserspageantry.com
Instagram: @crownchaserspageantry @crownchaserspodcast
Podcast: Crown Chasers Podcast

Enjoyed this episode?

Leave a review, share it with a queen who needs to hear this, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you’re ready to stop wishing and start winning — the Ready to Reign Challenge is waiting for you.
crownchaserspageantry.com/readytoreignchallenge

It’s April — and if Q1 didn’t go the way youplanned, this episode is your permission slip and your game plan. No shame, nostarting over. Just strategy.

In this episode, coach Jessica breaks down theRoyal Reset: five key areas of your reign that you can recalibrate right now tofinish this year the way you actually intended. Whether your platform hasdrifted, your fitness routine fell off, your wardrobe needs direction, yourappearances have been sparse, or you’ve been preparing without a real coachingstrategy — this episode meets you where you are and gives you the tools to moveforward.

Because the queens who win at the end of theyear aren’t always the ones who had the strongest start. They’re the ones whoknow how to adjust.

In This Episode, WeCover:

Why April is the most strategic time to resetyour reign — and how to use Q2 as your second chance

Reset #1 — Platform: How to reconnect withyour why and sharpen your message when your platform no longer feels like you

Reset #2 — Fitness: How to build a realisticroutine between now and your next competition, starting with one non-negotiable

Reset #3 — Wardrobe: How to audit what youhave, identify your power looks, and shop with strategy instead of impulse

Reset #4 — Appearances: How to stop waiting tobe invited and start creating your own opportunities — and why documentingeverything matters

Reset #5 — Coaching Strategy: Why the mostprepared queens (not the most naturally talented) are the ones walking awaywith crowns

The Royal Reset Rule: How to prioritize whicharea to tackle first without getting overwhelmed

Key Takeaways

You don’t have to reset all five areas atonce. Pick your most urgent, stabilize it, then move to the next.

Your platform should have a story, a stat, anda solution. If it’s missing one of those, start there.

Fitness isn’t just about how you look — it’sabout the energy and confidence you bring to every stage.

Every queen needs a signature color oraesthetic element. Your wardrobe should communicate your brand before you say aword.

Appearances don’t happen to you. You createthem. Pitch yourself, document everything, and build the portfolio.

Mentioned in ThisEpisode

Ready to Take the NextStep?

If this episode hit home, your next move isthe Ready to Reign Challenge. It was built for queens who are serious aboutshowing up prepared — not panicked, not scrambling. Prepared.

Join the challenge atcrownchaserspageantry.com/readytoreign

Connect With CrownChasers

Website:crownchaserspageantry.com

Events & Registration:crownchaserspageantry.com/events

Crown Chasers Pageantry Podcast is for titleholders and contestants whoare serious about their reign. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe, leave areview, and share this episode with a queen who needs to hear it.

Episode Description

You know your platform topic. You can talk about it for days. But if someone asked you RIGHT NOW — what are you actually fighting for and what impact do you truly want to make — could you answer that in 60 seconds or less?

In this episode, Coach Jessica breaks down why so many queens over-explain in the interview room and how it comes down to one thing: not knowing your core message. She walks you through the Three Layers of a Real Answer framework to help you stop filling space with words and start making judges FEEL your purpose.

If your interview answers feel scattered, too long, or like you're convincing instead of connecting — this episode is for you, queen.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Episode Timestamps

Key Takeaway

"Queens who win interviews aren't the ones with the biggest platforms. They're the ones who know exactly what they're fighting for — and can make you FEEL it in 60 seconds. That's the work."

The One Question Exercise

Grab a pen and complete this sentence out loud:

"I am fighting for _______ because _______ and I will know I've made an impact when _______."

Time yourself. If it takes more than 45 seconds — keep working. That sentence is your core message. Everything in your interview should point back to it.

Ready to Put It Into Practice?

Talking points are great. FEEDBACK is better.

Join us this Sunday for the Crown Chasers Mock Interview — a live, pressure-tested practice session with a real panel of pageant professionals. Bring your platform, bring your answers, and find out exactly where you're landing and where there's still work to do.

Register now at:

Connect with Crown Chasers

• Why over-explaining is a clarity problem, not a speaking problem

• The difference between knowing your topic and knowing your WHY

• The Three Layers of a Real Answer framework (and how to reach Layer 3)

• A powerful fill-in-the-blank exercise to find your core message today

• How to stop convincing judges and start connecting with them

• 00:00 Intro — Can you answer this in 60 seconds?• 02:00 The Overexplainer Trap — why more words don't mean a better answer

• 06:00 The Three Layers of a Real Answer framework

• 11:00 The One Question Exercise — do this right now

• 15:00 Outro + how to get real feedback before competition day

• Real panel of pageant professionals• Real-time feedback on your interview answers• The pressure of competition day — in a safe space to grow• Walk away with clarity, confidence, and a stronger core message

• crownchaserspageantry.com/events

• Website: crownchaserspageantry.com

• Book a Monday Mini Session: bd.crownchasersacademy.com/widget/bookings/monday-mini-sessions

• All Events & Registration: crownchaserspageantry.com/events