Competition Rules and Regulations

1. Competition attire and makeup should be age appropriate. We do NOT promote the use of false teeth, spray tans and false eyelashes in the divisions under Teen, but are allowed. When in doubt, ask the director for guidance. Hair extensions/pieces are allowed, as well as glitz type clothing. This is a glamorous competition, so have fun with wardrobe and makeup as long as it represents the best of the individual in their age group. Easter and flower girl type gowns are welcomed at the special state level, but should be up-graded for TX state and nationals.


2. By virtue of participation, contestants release their likeness for publicity, bulletins, newspaper and television, or any and all promotions Elite USA participates in. This includes release for use & re-print of any Cover Girl entries submitted by the contestant. Make sure you have permission from the photographers you have used to use your photos as pageant entries, as they may be used for future Elite ads.


3. Delegates and their families are requested to compete in the scope of good sportsmanship at each level.


4. Marital status for contestants is optional.


5. All award ceremonies are held immediately following each competition. Judges decisions are final and personal scores are available upon request. Other contestant scores are privileged. All judges comment sheets are handed out during awards. We do not discriminate against race, color, creed or heritage. Height and weight is not a part of the judge’s scores. The pageant is not responsible for any accident or injury, lost or stolen items.


6. All contestants will have time on the stage/runway before each competition. National competition includes rehearsal. All details regarding the event will be walked through so that each participant can enjoy her time in front of the judges. Babies under 14mo must be carried on stage by one parent and are allowed to be set down in front of judges. Babies are judged only on facial beauty and wardrobe and there are no extra points or benefits to babies that can stand or walk. Toddlers must have a parent on stage with them at all times. Tiny contestants must have one parent back stage and may be on stage only if child will not go on stage otherwise. But coaching on or off stage is prohibited. NO pro-am style modeling allowed in Beauty division. Straight pageant walk only. Freestyle and all other modeling is allowed on Model category.


7. Entry fees have deadlines, so pay attention to them. Additional fees for late entries apply. So, enter last minute, but it is extra unless other arrangements are made with the director in advance. We know things can get expensive so if you need to pay half your entry fee (as a deposit) when you send in your entry info (only money orders accepted please) and then pay the balance the day of the competition, that is acceptable. The $40 late fee is applied to your balance. Please understand that all deposits are non-refundable. Credit cards accepted with a $5 process fee. $50 NSF Fee charged to all returned checks.


8. If state winner can not attend the national competition, the state winner must forfeit the title and ALL prizes awarded with that title and the 1st runner up will be awarded the state title and allowed to compete at the nationals as the state winner. All contestants competing in the state pageant are qualified and welcome to attend and compete at the national pageant as contestants at large. State title winners have a portion of their national entry fee paid by their state director.


9. Should the contestant be unable to compete at nationals for any reason after entry fees are paid, ALL fees are non-refundable, but can be used as credit towards next scheduled competition under certain circumstances. If a competition is cancelled by Elite for any reason and an entry fee has been paid, delegate will have a credit with the option to enter the next competition of his/her choice within 90 days of the cancelled event or a full refund. After the 90 days, the entry fee is non-refundable.


10. If there are only one or two contestants in an age category in the Model, Talent or Cheer categories, that contestant will be moved into the age category that is closest to their age. NO ONE will be allowed to compete alone for either if these categories.


11. Title holders are allowed to re-compete for state and national titles the following year they were crowned only if they have moved up in age division. Title winners may compete for the same age title only if they wait one year in between competing for the titles (win at 4, skip at age 5, compete age 6). Title holders that may not have won any optionals, Model or Talent, may compete for those the same year their crown their successor.

Talent Rules and Regulations

1. ALL entries have a 3 min lime limit to perform. A 5 point penalty will be assessed for every 10 seconds over time limit. CD accompaniment is preferred as a cassette tape deck is not always available. Notify Elite if that is your only music option in advance.


2. Stage time will be given to everyone to mark their routine, but a complete run through will not be possible. One sound check will be done by sound crew prior to competition. Due to space only ONE (1) badge parent is allowed back stage for changes per contestant. There will be a separate space supplied for makeup/hair assistants. NO ACCEPTIONS!


3. Coaching from off stage in audience or from backstage during a performance to assist a contestant is prohibited and NO ONE is allowed near the judges table.


4. Dancers & Acrobats– this is a talent competition. You are not limited to how many “tricks”, tumbling passes, flips, etc. that you may have in your routine. Be as creative as you like. However, be advised that Elite is not liable for any injuries while attending or competing at this competition. Keep in mind that the stage is usually portable and is NOT a fixed platform.


5. Vocalists – ABSOLUTELY NO lead vocals are allowed on your CD. This means you may not sing along with your favorite artist and expect to be judged for it. Nor are you allowed to pre-record your own voice and sing over the top of it. Background vocals allowed only. Any vocalists that compete and sing over lead vocals will receive the lowest placing at awards. Select AGE APPROPRIATE songs. This is just as important part of your score as the performance itself.


6. Props are allowed for entries but there are a few that are prohibited: Fire, water, pyrotechnics, glass, swords or knives or sharp objects, live animals. At NO time can objects be thrown off stage. Large props are only allowed 1 minute for set up time. Point penalties will be assessed after that. There is no prop master so make sure you have someone that will set up and remove your props.


7. MUSIC SELECTIONS – Remember there will be attendants of all ages. Please be conscious of other participants when selecting the content of your music. Excessive foul language in vocals will not be tolerated. Choreography presented showing displays of violence, social prejudice or overt sexual innuendo will result in sever point deduction.


8. Only one (1) song per CD is allowed. Do not give the sound booth a CD with several songs on it. They are not responsible for the wrong song coming on during your entrance to the stage.


9. CD’s must be labeled with contestant name and name of routine or song and presented alone or in a single slip or jewel case. NO CD books will be accepted.


10. Entries that are competing in more than one category must notify Elite two weeks prior to the competition to guarantee time for costume changes. NO changes to the schedule will be done the day of the competition.


11. Photography is prohibited. A professional photographer will be on hand to photograph EVERY contestant and photos will be available for order during the competition. ALL cell phones and pagers must be on silent in the facility at all times.


12. NO outside food and drink allowed, other than bottled water. Concession stand will be open when app.


13. By entering this competition, you release your likeness, vocals, choreography etc., to Elite for website, promotions and photographs for promotional efforts.


14. Contestants may enter more than talent entry and must pay for each entry separately. Each entry will be judged separately. Entering multiple entries only increases chances to win due to that particular performance receiving a better score than the other.


15. Hand held mic supplied only. Personal head sets may be used but no sound check is offered.

Important Information

Elite USA is a glamorous system, very different from everyone else. We combine the best of both worlds from natural and glitz systems.

Hair- Hair should be fixed and elegant, without being over bearing on the child or distracting. Hair pieces are allowed, but keep in mind that if that is the first thing a judge notices on the child, above and beyond her appearance, you may want to re-think it. Enhance without distracting. We allow hair pieces because this system promotes the building of self confidence in each competitor. If she is afraid to present herself because she was not gifted with great hair, hair pieces allow her to hold her head high and enjoy her stage time. Use your best judgment.

Makeup - Part of the fun of being in a pageant, in our opinion, is dressing up. Makeup is allowed on all age divisions, again, as long as it is not distracting. False eyelashes, heavy liner and dark lips should not be on contestants under the age of 12. Flippers are allowed but not always recommended, as they tend to inhibit clear speech. Since interview is almost 50% of our score, be careful with these. Part of being a kid is a missing tooth, so be proud of it. Natural colors, light gloss, light blush (so you don't appear pale under stage lights, and mascara is just about all you need in the younger age divisions. If you are gifted with great skin color and lashes...natural is great! There is no "one way is better than another" in this area. It is based on an individual basis.

Clothing - We encourage custom clothing. If you put thought into what you compete in, to us, it means you care about wearing an Elite title and take your participation to heart. Glitz type clothing is acceptable, however, we have seen many "over-the-top" outfits that look more like costumes than custom outfits. Stay away from these. Your outfit should enhance who you are as a contestant, not hide who you are. Formals adorned with crystals and beads are fine, as well as cupcake formals (babies, toddlers and Tiny only), ballgowns in Little Miss through Jr Teen and form fitting gowns with slits and trains in divisions Teen and up. If you have a formal you wore in a wedding as a flower girl, or it is "T" length from a dept. store, you should upgrade your gown at the state and national level.

INTERVIEW - We make many appearances during the year, so royalty that speaks well and is not afraid to talk is important. Interview and presentation skills will carry you through life, and Elite feels that it should be these skills, above all, that should be most important in competition. Personal interview, combined with a 20sec personal intro on stage, counts as 45% of the over-all score. This is why it is not always "the most expensive dress" that wins a title with Elite.

IMPORTANT - Always remember, judges all have opinions and you are being judged on their opinion. Rules are only suggestions to judges and they will judge on what they prefer. The outcome is merely a combination of all their opinions combined. Dress your best, present yourself with pride, and you should be victorious.