Frequently Asked
Questions
Whether this is your first pageant or your next big goal, we want you to feel confident about taking the first step. Explore the most frequently asked questions about International United Miss, including eligibility, titles, competitions, Internationals Week, and what it means to become part of the IUM sisterhood.
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About International United Miss
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International United Miss, also known as IUM, is a scholarship-style pageant system for girls and women ages 5 and older. We celebrate confidence, communication, community involvement, personal achievement, and the qualities that make every delegate unique.
IUM is designed to be more than a competition. From state pageants to Internationals Week, delegates have opportunities to build friendships, strengthen life skills, serve their communities, and become part of a supportive international sisterhood.
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IUM focuses on the complete person—not one look, one talent, or one moment on stage. Our required competitions recognize communication skills, confidence, personal style, poise, and community involvement.
Our judges are looking for authentic, well-rounded representatives who can serve as positive role models throughout their year. No one is expected to fit a single definition of what a pageant contestant should look or act like.
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H.E.R.O.I.C. represents the values at the heart of International United Miss:
Honesty
Empathy
Respect
Optimism
Integrity
Community
These values guide how we compete, lead, serve, and support one another. An IUM titleholder represents more than a crown—she represents these qualities in her everyday life.
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IUM celebrates age-appropriate, natural presentation. Contestants ages 13 and younger may not wear makeup. Preteen contestants may use light spot concealer for blemishes when permitted by the current season’s rules.
Older divisions may wear makeup, but every delegate should still look like herself. Hair, makeup, wardrobe, and styling should enhance the contestant rather than overpower her.
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Absolutely. No previous pageant experience is required. First-time contestants and experienced competitors are welcomed and judged using the same published criteria.
You do not need a pageant coach, custom wardrobe, professional modeling experience, or an extensive résumé to belong at IUM. Come ready to share who you are, connect with others, and enjoy the experience.
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No. While earning an IUM title is an incredible achievement, the experience extends far beyond the final results.
Delegates gain interview and public-speaking experience, perform on an international stage, participate in themed events, complete community service, build friendships, and become part of a community that continues long after Internationals Week ends.
Eligibility and Age Divisions
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IUM welcomes girls and women ages 5 and older from across the United States and around the world.
Our divisions are:
Princess: Ages 5–7
Junior Preteen: Ages 8–10
Preteen: Ages 11–13
Junior Teen: Ages 14–16
Teen: Ages 17–19
Miss: Ages 20–24
Ms.: Ages 25 and older
Your age division will be confirmed according to the eligibility requirements published for your competition season.
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Yes. The Ms. division is open to contestants ages 25 and older of any marital status. Additional eligibility questions can be confirmed with the IUM team before registration.
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No. IUM does not require contestants to meet a specific height, weight, dress size, or physical appearance standard.
We believe confidence, leadership, communication, service, and authenticity cannot be measured by a number on a tag or a scale.
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No. IUM welcomes both new and experienced contestants. Our team provides season-specific information and resources to help registered delegates understand what to expect.
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Yes. IUM welcomes international contestants. If your country does not hold a live qualifying pageant, you may be eligible to apply for an appointed country title.
Availability is limited to one appointed title per division and country, so early application is encouraged.
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Divisions are based on the contestant’s age according to the official eligibility date established for that season (typically July 1 immediately prior to the international competition). Because birthdays near the cutoff date may affect placement, please review the current application or contact the IUM team before registering.
How to Qualify
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There are three primary paths to IUM:
Compete at a live state pageant.
Apply for an appointed state or country title.
Qualify for a National United Miss title.
The correct path depends on where you live, whether your area holds a live pageant, title availability, and your previous participation with IUM.
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If your state holds a live IUM state pageant, that pageant is generally your first step toward Internationals.
If your state or country does not hold a live pageant, you may apply for an appointed title and advance directly to Internationals once your application is accepted and registration requirements are completed.
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An appointed title allows an eligible contestant from an area without a live state pageant to represent her state or country at Internationals.
IUM appoints only one state or country queen per division. Appointed titles are typically secured by the first qualified applicant to submit the required application and deposit.
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You may still have a path to Internationals. Eligible contestants may apply for a regional or city title and compete for one of the National United Miss titles.
Because availability and qualification requirements can vary, contact the IUM team if you are unsure which application to complete.
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Contestants are generally required to live, work, or attend school in the state they represent. Proof of eligibility may be requested.
Review your specific state pageant information before registering, as requirements may vary by event.
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Your IUM journey may not be over. State pageant runners-up and qualifying optional competition participants may become eligible to compete for a National United Miss title at Internationals.
State pageants are also valuable opportunities to gain experience, receive feedback, make friends, and prepare for future seasons.
National United Miss
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National United Miss, often called the IUM “Redemption Round,” creates another opportunity for eligible delegates to earn a national crown and experience the full IUM titleholder year.
National United Miss is separate from the International United Miss titles. Only contestants registered for the National United Miss competition are eligible to earn those crowns.
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You may qualify if you meet at least one of the following criteria:
You competed for a live IUM state title and placed as a runner-up in your division.
You won a qualifying optional competition at an IUM state pageant.
You applied for an appointed state title after that title was no longer available.
You previously held an IUM state title.
All eligibility is subject to confirmation by the IUM team.
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The National United Miss titles are:
National Little Miss: Princess and Junior Preteen qualifiers
National Junior Miss: Preteen and Junior Teen qualifiers
National Miss: Teen, Miss, and Ms. qualifiers
Delegates compete alongside contestants in their corresponding age division so they can be evaluated using age-appropriate expectations.
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National and International contestants may appear in the same age-division competitions, but their scores are applied only to the title program in which they are registered.
National United Miss delegates compete for the National titles. International delegates compete for the International titles.
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Yes. National United Miss queens receive the same published titleholder prize package and yearlong experience as the International United Miss queens.
Required Competitions and Judging
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IUM uses five required areas of competition to identify well-rounded, authentic representatives:
Personal Interview: 35%
Evening Gown: 20%
High Fashion Runway: 20%
Personal Introduction: 15%
Community Involvement: 10%
The contestant with the highest overall score in her respective title division earns the crown.
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Judges are looking for contestants who communicate confidently, present themselves authentically, show personality and poise, and demonstrate the ability to represent IUM positively.
IUM is looking for genuine brand ambassadors and role models—not perfection.
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Each contestant meets with the judges individually for a personal interview. Questions are intended to help the judges learn about the contestant’s personality, goals, interests, experiences, and opinions.
Miss and Ms. contestants should also be prepared to discuss age-appropriate current events. Contestants are not judged on whether the judges agree with an opinion, but on how thoughtfully and confidently they communicate it.
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Interview attire is expected but is not a separately scored category. Choose an age-appropriate outfit that fits well, reflects your personality, and helps you feel confident.
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Scores and feedback are provided immediately following the final crowning at both state and international pageants. Scoresheets are given in the original judge’s handwriting, and aimed at providing valuable constructive feedback to help the delegate improve.
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Contestants model a floor-length evening gown of their choice while demonstrating poise, confidence, and personality.
The gown should be age-appropriate, flattering, properly fitted, and altered to a safe walking length. Contestants younger than the Miss division may not wear gowns with slits or cutouts. Miss and Ms. contestants should keep any slits or cutouts modest.
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High Fashion Runway is IUM’s required fashion competition. Contestants may choose a fashionable, trendy, creative, or more understated outfit that reflects their personal style.
Judges consider the complete presentation, but the competition is not simply about who has the most elaborate outfit. Confidence, personality, energy, and how the contestant carries the look are essential.
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Each contestant delivers a personal introduction of up to 45 seconds on stage. Similar to an elevator pitch, the introduction should help the judges remember who she is.
Contestants may share their name, title, interests, accomplishments, goals, community involvement, or other meaningful details. Judges may use information from the introduction to guide later interview questions.
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Yes. Every delegate must complete and submit at least three hours of qualifying community service to remain eligible for the National or International title.
Hours should be documented on the required service log and submitted according to the season’s instructions.
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No. Contestants may support an existing nonprofit, school, community program, cause, or service project. What matters is genuine participation and positive impact—not creating a personal organization solely for the competition.
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IUM judges contestants based on the performance they present. The system does not use a traditional division lineup in which contestants are evaluated while standing side by side.
This allows each delegate to be considered for her individual strengths and overall performance.
Wardrobe, Hair, and Makeup
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No. A custom label or high price tag does not earn additional points.
The best wardrobe is age-appropriate, properly fitted, compliant with IUM rules, and representative of the contestant wearing it. Confidence and presentation matter more than cost.
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No. Makeup is not permitted in the Princess, Junior Preteen, or Preteen divisions. Preteen contestants may use light spot concealer for blemishes when allowed by the current rules.
This policy helps younger contestants feel celebrated as they naturally are.
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Natural-looking hair extensions may be permitted as long as they do not overpower or significantly alter the contestant’s age-appropriate appearance. Review the official rules for the current competition season before making styling decisions.
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Yes. All wardrobe must be age-appropriate and provide appropriate coverage.
Evening gowns must be floor length. Contestants younger than Miss may not wear evening gowns with slits or cutouts. Miss and Ms. contestants should keep slits and cutouts modest. Additional fit, coverage, footwear, and styling requirements will be provided in the official delegate materials.
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Generally, yes. Contestants are not required to purchase an entirely new wardrobe for every level of competition, provided each outfit still fits, follows the current rules, and is appropriate for the event.
Optional Competitions
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No. Optional competitions are additional opportunities to showcase a contestant’s interests and talents, but they do not affect the required competition score or determine the International or National titleholders.
Contestants may enter the optionals that interest them without feeling required to enter every event.
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Published offerings may include:
Talent or Video Talent
Casual Wear Modeling
Spokesmodel
Actress
Photogenic
Top Model
Essay Contest
Cover Girl
Social Media Influencer
Academic Achievement
Community Service
Most Recommendations
Offerings, fees, deadlines, prizes, and submission requirements may change by season.
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No. Optional competition results are separate from the required International and National title scores.
Entering optionals gives contestants more opportunities to perform, gain experience, receive recognition, and win additional awards or cash prizes.
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Video Talent may be available for skills that cannot be reasonably or safely presented in the ballroom, such as ice skating or other location-specific performances.
All entries must follow the season’s time, music, prop, safety, and submission requirements.
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Entry limits and fees are announced for each season. Photogenic submissions should be current, age-appropriate, and consistent with IUM’s natural appearance and makeup policies. Heavy editing that alters the contestant’s natural appearance should be avoided.
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The current published optional competition information states that the full cash award is presented per division regardless of the number of entries. Always review the current season’s terms when registering.