Please note your privacy is our responsibility and your information will be kept strictly confidential by the organizers of the Miss Caribbean US.

MISS CARIBBEAN US ELIGIBILITY: Contestants must be residents of the US (regardless of the place of birth), Contestants must reside in the US during the year of their reign, must be between the ages of 13 to 17 for the teen competition or 18 to 29 for the Miss Caribbean US (on or before the date of the event); must not be pregnant at the time of application or the pageant, must be of good moral character, and possess a pleasing personality and appropriate documentation regarding age, residency, and status to meet eligibility requirements. There will be an interview held before the pageant to confirm your qualifications for candidacy. The time and conditions of the interview will be emailed to you before the interview date.

For the Miss competition: You will receive your sash, pin, and the official packet, including the sponsor sheet after you have made your $400 non-refundable fee which can be paid in two or four installments via PayPal.com  (info@misscaribbean.org).

For the Teen competition: You will receive your sash, pin, and the official packet, including the sponsor sheet after you have made your $200 non-refundable fee which can be paid in two or four installments via PayPal.com (info@misscaribbean.org).

All participants will receive a donation sheet to help with their application fee or to use for pageant accessories such as gowns, swimsuits, jewelry, makeup, or anything including scholarships.

The application fee is used to pay for meals at practice and Miss Caribbean US events, photoshoots, sash, etc.

PRIZES: Only 2 winners will be chosen: 1st Runner up and Miss Caribbean US. The winner will receive a crown, a sash, $4,000 cash, a trophy, a bouquet, and other prizes. 1st runner-up will receive $1,000, a sash, and a trophy. a bouquet.

Miss Caribbean US Teen will receive $1,000 a crown, a sash, cash, a trophy, a bouquet, and other prizes. 1st runner-up will receive $300, a sash, a trophy, and a bouquet.

The winner will be fully responsible for the official crown and sash; if lost or stolen, she will replace it at her own expense. All winners will receive half of their cash prizes at the start of their reign; the other half will be received at the end of the reign upon the crowning of the next Miss Caribbean US.

If for any reason the reigning Miss Caribbean US Queen cannot continue her reign, the 1st runner-up will take her place. Miss Caribbean US winners will reign for one year during which they will participate in events and promotional activities scheduled by the Miss Caribbean US organization.

The Miss Caribbean US Queen cannot participate in any other beauty pageant before the end of her reign or without the written consent of the Miss Caribbean US Executive Board. The directors, promoters, and sponsors of the pageant will not be held accountable for any sickness or other occurrences to the candidates during the duration of the contest.

CONTESTANT REGULATIONS: Contestants of the Miss Caribbean US Pageant will be judged in 6 segments. 1. Pre-Pageant Interview 2. Presentation and Cultural Attire Presentation: Style of the contestant’s choice (keep in mind, you are representing a country), and any form of cultural attire in your country’s colors. 3. Swimwear A one- or two-piece swimsuit in the style of the contestant’s choice. Please note: no thongs. Contestants will only wear swimsuits and heels. Wraps are welcome. Information: Body Glue is used as an adhesive that keeps swimsuits from riding up. 4. Talent Attire appropriate for the talent. Please describe your talent and the props that will be needed for it. Props may include a CD player, microphone, chair, etc. 5. Five Questions/Evening Gown A full-length gown in the color and style of the contestant’s choice. The pool of questions that may be asked is attached to this information package; however, each contestant will not know until the pageant which specific questions she will be asked because the questions will be drawn by lot. 6. On-Stage Questions (finalists only) Each contestant will answer on-stage questions. A list of questions will be provided in advance to each contestant. Again, the questions will be drawn by lot for each contestant.

The questions will be based on the following categories: World News, Current Events, Entertainment, Sports, and Women’s Rights.

TIME RESTRICTION Due to time restrictions and the number of contestants we have, each contestant will only be allowed 3 minutes maximum for the presentation and talent categories (no exceptions to this rule). The contestants must notify the pageant coordinators of any special technical needs at least three (3) weeks before the event. The coordinators do not guarantee to meet any specific technical requests. The contestants are not allowed to have anyone else on stage during the talent segment, as this is a solo performance of the contestant’s talent. Outings and outfits will be discussed later. Contestants are responsible for their wardrobes for each segment.

MCUSBP is not responsible for the contestants’ personal belongings. The contestants’ Rules and Regulations Affidavit must be filled out, signed, and returned before May 31st. MCUSBP will have a photo shoot for the contestants; the photos will be used in the Souvenir Brochure, MCUSBP website, posters, flyers, etc. These photos will be the property of MCUSBP; contestants may purchase copies of pageant photos for their use. All contestants are required to participate in rehearsals. All contestants must be in Philadelphia, PA, (the day before the pageant) for the formal pageant dinner, and final rehearsal. The time and place for an in-person meeting will be announced at a later date. All contestants must walk the same stage strip.

PAGEANT CONTESTANTS & REHEARSAL: Contestants of the Miss Caribbean US Pageant must conduct themselves in a proper ladylike manner and portray the high moral standards expected of a pageant winner. Contestants will not be permitted to drink alcoholic beverages, smoke, consume illegal drugs, or use profane language at any time. Anyone found guilty of a violation of these rules will be dismissed immediately.

PAGEANT SOUVENIR PROGRAM: Each Contestant will have her photo and short bio or questionnaire printed in the official Miss Caribbean US Beauty Pageant Program Booklet. Contestants are welcome to purchase an additional ad to thank sponsors and supporters. Parents are permitted to purchase ads in support of their daughters in the pageant. Ad prices are as follows: Full page in color $200, half page $150, quarter page $50. If you wish to submit an ad, please call, or email no later than 3 weeks before the date of the event.

JUDGES: Judges will be selected for the Miss Caribbean US Pageant by MCUSBP. They will be eminent respected members of the International Community. MCUSB reserves the right to appoint all such judges. The decisions of the judges are final, and scores are confidential to MCUSBP. Judges will be seated at a location selected by MCUSBP to accurately judge the contestants.

1) Judges must be present from day one of the pageant to the end.

2) Judges may not discuss contestants during the show or speak with any member of the audience.

3)Judges must not discuss contestants with other judges. Designated persons other than judges will tally the scores, which will then be announced.

JUDGING CRITERIA: Contestants compete in six areas of competition: Pre-pageant Interview, Presentation, Swimwear, Talent, Evening Wear, and 2 rounds of Questions. Each area counts as a percentage of the total score. In addition, a public Popularity vote (conducted online before the Pageant) will count for 5 percent of each candidate’s score. Each contestant is judged immediately after each event by the panel of judges. There will be an elimination process. All contestants will be judged up to the first Question segment. Scores will be tallied after each segment. The 5 contestants with the highest total scores will advance to a second set of Questions Segment. The 5 finalists will step forward while the others remain on the stage in their original spots. The finalists will then be asked questions. Only the first, second, and third-placed winners will be announced.

Scoring:

Pre-pageant Interview –15%: Criteria used for scoring the interview are overall first impression, personal appearance, personality, intellect, validated opinions, vocabulary, grammar, alertness, postures and responses in context, level of communication, and comprehensibility. You must dress in business attire for your interview.

Cultural Presentation –20%: Criteria for scoring the presentation competition include overall representation of your island or country, selling your Island to the audience, your Personality and stage performance, pose, charm, grace, and sense of confidence. Contestants should wear any form of attire that reflects their island or country. Contestants must show the board or the coordinators their cultural wear before the show.

Swimsuit for Miss:15%

(No swimsuit for teens) Fitness outfit:15%

The Miss Caribbean US Pageant criteria for scoring the swimsuit competition include, overall, first impression, statement of physical fitness and health, and sense of confidence.

Talent –15%: Each contestant will perform a maximum of 3 minutes for talent and presentation. Talents include but are not limited to: Singing in every medium (no lip-sync), Cultural Dance, Tap, Ballet, (no club dance, or dance hall dancing), Gymnastics, Instrumental, Skit, Drama, Poetry, monologue, and Comedy, etc. Contestants must describe their talent performance to the board/coordinators at least 2 weeks before the pageant. The board reserves the right to refuse any specific talent performance as inappropriate or not meeting the pageant’s standards; the contestant can submit an alternate talent performance if their first choice is rejected. The talent competition distinguishes the contestant’s skills and personality, interpretive ability, technical skill, stage performance, and the computation of all elements (e.g., Costume, props, voice, use of the body, choreography).

Evening Wear –20%: Criteria for judging the evening wear competition include overall first impression, sense of confidence, personality, stage performance, technique, poise, charm, grace, appropriateness of the evening wear, beauty, and sense of attractiveness. Contestants should wear an elegant evening ensemble that reflects their style.

On-stage Questions –15%: Criteria for judging the answers to the question/questions are the first impression, poise, alertness, confidence, and responses. The top finalists will be chosen to answer the final questions. These questions will be chosen from the pool of questions submitted by each judge or contestant. There will be special awards for Miss Congeniality, Best Talent, Most Intellectual, Best Swimwear, Best Presentation or Cultural Attire, and Best Evening Gown. As an Ambassador, the Miss Caribbean US Queen must demonstrate the following qualities: 1. Poise, charm, intelligence, confidence, and a commanding presence 2. An activist on issues she considers important. 3. An Articulate communicator with the courage to defend her convictions. 4. A leader by her integrity. 5. A believer in health and physical fitness. 6. A promoter of Caribbean Culture.

The affidavit will be sent by email.

AFFIDAVIT: As a contestant in the Miss Caribbean US Beauty Pageant, I acknowledge and agree to the following:

I will be at least 18 years of age on or before the pageant and I am not pregnant and/or expecting a child. If under 18 years, I am the parent of a child under 18. If any of these conditions changes, I will notify the Pageant Director immediately, who will then contact the MCUSBP Executive Board of Directors. I understand that this may affect my eligibility.

1. You can participate in Miss Caribbean US Pageant as often as you like if you have not previously held an MCUSBP Title.

2. I am of good health and moral character.

3. I permit MCUSBP to use my photo and video for promotional purposes.

4. I have thoroughly read the rules and regulations and agree to abide by all the rules and regulations governing the Miss Caribbean US Beauty Pageant.

5. I attest that all the information on my application is accurate and I am willing to submit satisfactory proof for each answer stated. I am aware that perjury will result in immediate disqualification from this pageant.

6. I hereby wholeheartedly release any claims or future claims against Miss Caribbean US and any of the affiliated companies and their respective officers, directors, partners, and employees which I may have by my participation in this event or by any use of my name, voice, and biography in connection with Miss Caribbean US, including use in promotional and advertising material.

7. I understand and agree that issues regarding eligibility shall be determined solely by the Miss Caribbean US organization, and I agree to abide by that determination for both me and other applicants.

8. I promise that if I win the title of Miss Caribbean US this year, I must help recruit new contestants for the next year’s pageant, and I will return to the Miss Caribbean US pageant the next year to the crown and sash the winner of that Pageant. By your signature(s) below, the applicant and her parent (if the applicant is under 18 at application time) certify that they have read and understand the rules and regulations as outlined in this application and that the applicant meets the requirements and will comply with the rules and regulations stated. Any fallacious statement or failure to comply may result in the applicant’s disqualification.

Applicant Signature__________________________ Date _________________

(If Applicant is currently under 18) Parent

Signature__________________ Date ___________