Contestants take stage for one of two Miss America qualifiers

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Lacey Simonson walks the stage during last year's Miss Lexington Pageant at the Lexington Opera House in January 2008.

By Kelly Wiley

Beauty pageants are nothing like the movie “Miss Congeniality.” Contestants don’t actually kill anyone to get the crown.

Lacey Simonson, a 2008 UK Alumna and a pageant contestant, said the movies give people the wrong impression.

“A lot of people think that pageants are kind of goofy or girly or two-faced, where the girls are terrible to each other and they’re snotty,” Simonson said. “But realistically, if you were to sit backstage at a pageant and talk to, not all, but most of the girls, we actually have a good time and help each other out.”

Although the girls have fun backstage, they do go through a lot of preparation just to make it to the stage. They will compete for the title of Miss Lexington on Saturday at the Singletary Center for the Arts Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m.

“These girls go to practice, they have classes to go to, boyfriends to see and work,” said Karen Carter, a co-director of the Miss Lexington Pageant. “They hold down a full schedule and work. They are busy little people.”

The Miss Lexington Pageant consists of five rounds: private interview, talent, physical fitness in swimsuit, evening wear and on-stage question. Kelly Casey, an elementary education senior and pageant contestant, said the worst part of the event is the swimsuit round.

“It’s really intimidating because I am a really modest person and it’s hard for me to get out there in a bikini and act spontaneous,” Casey said.

Carter has been involved in the pageant industry for 40 years and she said during that time, pageants have not changed.

“Pageants are well known throughout the country,” Carter said. “These girls do it for fellowship money, and you have two or three that do it just for fun.”

For the last three years, Casey has been one of the contestants competing for fun. She started participating because she has been singing since she was five, and because she thought pageants were an opportunity to be recognized.

This year Casey will be singing “Wasted” by Carrie Underwood. In the talent portion of the contest, Casey said the contestants are going to dance, sing and play musical instruments.

All the preparation and stress is worth it, Casey said, because it’s an opportunity to go on to Miss Kentucky, which could eventually lead to the Miss America pageant.

Tickets can be purchased for $20 through the Singletary Center ticket office or Saturday at the door for $22.50.