Pageantry is in crisis. Miss Universe is tangled in financial chaos. Miss USA is losing trust by the day. Miss America has faded into irrelevance. And contestants? They see it. They feel it. They're tired of pretending everything's fine.

For five years, Life After the Crown has been silent. But in this episode, I'm breaking that silence with a hard truth: if pageantry is going to matter again, it needs courage. It needs vision. It needs leaders who are willing to stop waiting and start leading.

In this no-holds-barred conversation, I expose the cultural rot, the corruption, and the cowardice holding pageantry back — and I lay out why beauty, dignity, and truth are still worth fighting for. You may agree with me. You may disagree. And that's fine. But if we don't start this conversation now, there won't be anything left to save.

This isn't just a commentary. It's a rallying cry. Because pageantry once inspired a nation — and it can again.

Today I explain why I've decided to end the Life After the Crown Podcast and what lies ahead.

My guest today was Miss Kansas USA 1993 and second runner up that year at Miss USA. She was also a semi-finalist at Miss Teen USA 1990, representing Missouri. She is married to Clark Hunt, the Chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs. Today we chat about being a pageant mom to her daughter Gracie, being the wife of an NFL owner and possibly getting more involved in the world of pageantry in the future.

She has also been featured in Cosmo, Shape, Maxim and Vogue magazines. She graduated in 2011 from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Heath Sciences. This past August she got engaged to her now Fiancé Jay Hector. Excited to welcome Miss USA 210, Olivia Jordan to the Podcast!

A Nebraska native, Sarah graduated cum laude from Texas Christian University (AKA TCU) in four years with two degrees while working part-time as a pilates instructor at Tatiana at Lululemon Athletica.

Following graduation, she completed her clinical rotations to become a Certified Child Life Specialist. In addition to child advocacy, she is passionate about encouraging others to have a healthy relationship with food and fitness - she spoke out about body shaming during her year as Miss USA to shine a light on society's distorted ideals of beauty.

She can now be found hosting events, taking a dance party cycling class, or enriching people's lives through her new podcast called More Than A Crown.

Fresh off the latest version of Miss America airing on NBC, former Miss America's Betty Maxwell and Savvy Shields have plenty to say about the newest version of the pageant (aka competition) and today they share ALL their thoughts on Miss America 2.0

After 2 years and 102 guests, I explain why I'm taking a Summer Hiatus before I launch the 3rd season!

My guest today is the current Miss Texas USA and in 2017 was Miss Grand United States where she was able to travel the world and spent a month in Vietnam. With all the craziness surrounding being quarantined and not knowing when Miss USA will be in 2020, we chat about how she's preparing and what her goals are once pageantry is done.

I've had a ton of requests for today's guest. She was Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2018 and placed Top 10 that year at Miss Teen USA. Since giving up her crown she has gone on to walk in the coveted Victoria's Secret Fashion show, shoot their campaign, and has quickly made a name for herself as an up and coming model.

My guest today was Miss USA 2003 and Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 1998. She co-hosted Miss Teen USA in 2005 and as had a successful career as an actor, television host, and author. She is also the co-founder of Pageantology with her Miss USA sister Shandi Finnessey and together they are known as two of the most prominent and sought-after pageant coaches in the industry.

You may recognize her from her years of being an MTV host and washing my face in commercials as a Neutrogena ambassador...or from one of her many acting gigs.