Beyond the Crown: What Pageantry Really Taught Me

You may have been surprised to see me enter a pageant, win the state title for Georgia, and somehow end up on a national stage in Las Vegas (the very same stage Elvis once performed his residency on.)

But if you know me, maybe you weren’t surprised at all.

You know I can’t sit still. I’m easily excited by the opportunity to do something new, unique, rare - and apparently things that require me to become much more visible than I’m naturally comfortable with.

And this one STRETCHED me.

Everyone is posting about how incredible this experience was - and it WAS. But I also want to share the real behind-the-scenes, because I think there’s something beautiful about telling the whole story.

I got shingles before Nationals. I almost quit twice. And if I’m being completely transparent, when I got sick, part of me was relieved to have an “out.” The mental load had gotten to me..

But I went anyways.

And I’m so glad I did.

Because I learned pretty quickly that pageantry is a sport of vulnerability. You walk onto a stage and willingly allow yourself to be evaluated - your appearance, your body, your communication, your confidence, your personality, your performance. They tell you not to compare yourself to the other women, but put 50 beautiful, accomplished women in one room competing for one crown and tell me that isn't something you have to fight internally. 😂

Some women have spent years mastering this world. Some are building careers in modeling and entertainment. Some came to have fun. Some came to WIN. And some, like me, were standing there thinking, “Well…this is new.” 😂

I got a tiny peek into an industry I’ve never been around before - some were there for their own personal growth, love of the game and others for the pursuit of fame, followers, access, attention and being seen. And honestly? I came home reminded what actually drives ME.

My faith. My babies. My people. My purpose. A life that feels peaceful and joyful when nobody is watching.

There was SO MUCH GOOD in this experience. A once in a lifetime moment that few will have the opportunity or courage to do. .

I made friendships I wouldn't have otherwise made. I laughed until I cried with my makeup artist backstage. My team got to experience something completely outside our normal world. I walked through a Vegas hotel in a GEORGIA sash and met women from across the country who understood exactly what it felt like to be in my shoes.

And my boys watched their mom go for something.

That's probably the part I'll carry forever.

I want them to grow up believing that we go for things. We try. We risk looking silly. We do things we're not sure we can do. Sometimes we want to quit - and sometimes you just have to survive that moment, because the feeling passes.

There is no failure in trying.

And I learned this too: your presence changes rooms. It changes trips, friendships, conversations and memories. There are moments that will exist forever simply because you decided to show up. Sometimes the ripple effect of saying “yes” goes further than you’ll ever get to see.

There is no failure in being vulnerable.

There is no failure in walking onto a stage you had absolutely no business knowing how to walk onto six months ago and saying, “Alright God, here we go.” 😂

I also came home reminded how much the people around you matter. The right people see something in you before you see it yourself. They encourage you like your battle is theirs. They help you become MORE of who God created you to be - not compete with you, overshadow you or need a piece of whatever you're doing.

My life changed when my circle changed. I'll stand by that forever.

And maybe the biggest surprise?

After Vegas, the gowns, the lashes, the stage, the cameras, the parties, the sash and all the excitement…

I was SO READY TO COME HOME.

Back to my babies. My business. My church. My coffee. My regular clothes. 😂 My regular, beautiful life.

Maybe that was part of what God had waiting for me in Vegas.

Not necessarily a crown.

Perspective.

I went. I represented Georgia. I did the scary thing. I made memories that literally could not exist had I stayed home. I learned. I grew. And I came home even more certain about what deserves my attention and what doesn't.

And now the question is…what am I going to put all this energy into next? 👀

We shall see. There are already some things in the works. 🤍

But first - THANK YOU.

To every single person who bought a shirt, sponsored me, donated a service, prayed for me, texted me, encouraged me, worked on my hair/makeup/tan/fitness/interview/wardrobe, shared a post, voted, traveled, worked behind the scenes or simply believed I could do this: you were part of this story.

And to my sister queens, Dede and Lindsay - we are forever linked. I love you both. 👑

To my family, my team, my friends and everyone who kept me afloat when this became harder than Instagram made it look: thank you.

And to God - for the opportunity, the protection, the redirection, the specifics that could never have been orchestrated by me, and for continuing to remind me that my identity was never waiting at the end of a pageant stage.

Faith still looks good on you. 🤍

More pictures, behind-the-scenes recaps and links to all the things I wore and used coming soon. Because obviously we aren't done talking about the outfits. 😂👑