When Susan Anderson visited her first “high glitz” pageant in 2005, she found the contestant—with their sculted hair, lavish costumes, false eyelashes, and shiny lips—transfixing. “Everyone in L.A.

HOUSTON -- It has all the elements of a typical beauty pageant. Girls and boys of all ages take the stage. There are crowns, sashes, and trophies, but this pageant is a little different. Your outer ...

April 8th marks World Pageant Day, a celebration of the glitz, glamour, and global influence of beauty competitions. For decades, these competitions have been platforms for women to showcase their ...