Beauty queens -- should it be beauty over brain or brain over beauty? Both?

beauty queens - winners of a local beauty contest
Philippines
January 17, 2010 11:08am CST
A local pageant produced a winner who was not quite popular with the public because they said her beauty is not considered "extraordinary", in other words, they say she is not beautiful. What is your concept of beauty? If you were to sit as judge in a beauty contest, would you give more weight to beauty over brain or her intelligence over beauty? or both?
1 person likes this
15 responses
• Pamplona, Spain
19 Jan 10
Hiya MMT, Beauty is normally in the eyes of the beholder. I have seen a few of those Beauty Contests where it was very clear that even though one of them was very striking and brainy too the other one with the best figure won the Day. It is´nt like that all the time but there are times when you are watching from the beginning and you can see where and how things are going to end. Well that´s what happens here anyhow.
• Pamplona, Spain
20 Jan 10
Hiya MMT, Yes that goes on here too all those shady things and on top of that the ones the Misses I mean they get to go on Television and argue between themselves who is the more beautiful lol. It´s quite amusing to watch sometimes.
• Philippines
20 Jan 10
Hi LAI, Yes, that happens. I also have my favorites in the early part of the show. But some of my early choices sometimes do not make it through the semi-finals. Sometimes, physical appearance and body were beautiful but contestants could not very well answer questions thrown at them by the judges. It is true, beauty is in the eyes of the behold. We sometimes hear talks about favorites and some "under the table" workings on. Do you it happening in your place, too?
• Philippines
20 Jan 10
oops, sorry LAI, lots of typos there... -- last word of first paragraph should correctly read as "beholder" and not "behold"; -- last sentence of 2nd paragraph should read as: Do you HEAR it happening in your place, too?
• Philippines
19 Feb 10
For me beauty is both brain and physical beauty. If i am a judge of a beauty contest i would give more weight to the intelligence of the contestants rather than beauty.
• Philippines
19 Feb 10
Hi Triplejazzm51, Intelligence is of greater importance in choosing beauty queens. I think so, too. Most local beauty pageants are held to choose their representatives for even bigger beauty pageants. I personally think that she should be one who is able to express herself well and one who does that with substance and content. The physical beauty thing can be enhanced.
• Philippines
19 Feb 10
It happened. Sad thing for that beautiful local winner in our national beauty pageant because her obvious lack of English communication skills was sensationalized and uploaded at youtube. I am sorry for her. It was rude for the ones uploading the video to do that. (Mylot is surely a good respite from work at lunch breaks, isn't it?) Me, too... going back to work now.
• Philippines
19 Feb 10
You're right moneymaking beauty without brains is like a dumbell, a mere decoration on the wall. That is why a beauty candidate should really prepare and screening committees should also be strict in their criteria. Have a nice day! I'll be going back to work.
@icesmile (7160)
• Romania
18 Jan 10
For sure, that in a beauty contest both are important,any way there are just beautiful girls, because is a beauty contest. But a woman must to have some intelligence to know to show her beauty; Beauty is just in a smart woman eyes. T o know to let peoples that you are beautiful and have good sense and education, this mean to be intelligent too. Not all who think that are beautiful are beautiful.
• Philippines
19 Jan 10
Hi Icesmile, A beauty queen is expected to be one of beauty and intellect. She should not only be beautiful in face but in her ways, too. A lady's behavior and mood exude the inner beauty she has. But she should be one who can intellectually interact with all types of people and one who knows how to carry herself in any given situation.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
20 Jan 10
Well, I have to start by saying that I really don't agree at all with beauty pagents at all. I never have and never will. I don't think it is right to have something like this that looks so fondly on what is on the outside but pays no heed at all to what is on the inside. That said, I think that brains and beauty is equally important for a person to be considered a beauty queen.
• Philippines
20 Jan 10
Hi Dorannmwin, Exactly. I agree with you that it should be important that a good combination of both be found in a contestant to be considered a beauty queen. People generally make choices in what they see. What is inside a person is more important. This may be gauged as this exudes in her mood and behavior. Thanks!
@allknowing (130292)
• India
18 Jan 10
Beauty parlour - Time that should be spent for other pursuits is spent here
First and foremost I would change the parameters to judge such a competition. They say 'beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder' What is beauty to you may not be beauty to me and so it is just luck that one is chosen as the most beautiful or whatever. I am not in favour per se of beauty contests in the first place. The time that should really be spent in becoming a useful citizen goes in visiting beauty parlours - society needs to think about the damage these beauty contests do to the youngsters whose priorities in life need to be changed.
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
Hi Allknowing, Beauty then is subjective. It depends on how one sees it to be. I hope society thinks about that. I hope the government can do something to change that notion and in effect, educate the young and make them realize what other more important things are needed to be prioritized. But as it is now, it is these government organizations and committees that are spearheading these beauty contests. I have heard that one country has a school where women who like to become beauty contests go. They even "help" their candidates go into beauty enhancements to present themselves well when they vie for titles in these world competitions.
• Philippines
21 Jan 10
Exactly. Thanks!
@allknowing (130292)
• India
18 Jan 10
Half the devastation one sees in this world is all because of society values which are just there and people follow them like sheep without analysing for themselves the how's, where's, who's, why's, etc!!
@nexan29 (86)
• Philippines
19 Jan 10
I would prefer the contestant who has intellgence over beauty. And if i will be a judge on that beauty pageant, i will check if they passed on the criteria for judging.Also if she will be the winner, there is an instances that she will be a representative in their place.And being a representative, she is obliged and she must impressed the judges.To impressed them,she should make a good move and that move should be answering question and answer portion intelligently.
• Philippines
19 Jan 10
Hi nexan, Exactly. A beauty queen is expected to be beautiful inside and out and should be smart. She has the responsibility to represent a group or country, therefore, she should be one who exudes intelligence. A combination of both beauty and intelligence is ideal.
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
it should be beauty over brains. It is not called a "beauty contest" for no reason. But of course part of being beautiful is having some sense when you talk. That is where the "brains" part comes in.
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
Hi Mayonaka, Beauty in physical appearance is what we see at first. Then our perception may or may not change the moment the candidates talks. If she talks with sense and can interact well with a lot of people, she would surely have the edge over other contestants. Being beautiful is a combination of a lot of things. We often connote beauty as the outside appearance of the person. What is hidden is what is most important at times. That would be why the question-and-answer portion is always there. It is a test of a candidate's intellect and wit.
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
18 Jan 10
My mother practically it into me that beauty is only skin deep.
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
Hi Bellis, It is the superficial and what is skin deep is what is seen most of the time. This is especially so in beauty contests. They parade in front of the judges and the audience to present their shapely bodies and beautiful faces and skin. It is what is judged at first glance. But most of the beauty pageants have included the question-and-answer portion where the candidates are tested by their intellect and wit. The smart ones always have an edge. Other good (or even bad) values are never seen in beauty contests. It takes time to fully know one well to know the goodness of the heart.
@trisha27 (3494)
• United States
17 Jan 10
In my opinion I believe that it is best for someone to have intelligence over beauty. So I guess I would have to say even though I would be judging a beauty pageant and I'm obligated maybe to look at their beauty. I would still vote for the person with some brains. Cause today, intelligence is better to have then to have beauty.
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
Hi Trisha, As a beauty queen, it would be useless if she cannot represent the city or country if she cannot even understand the question and much more, to give a wise answer. I have observed that most winners of beauty pageants are endowed with a good skill in comprehension and expression. Not only that, she must be able to use wisdom in every given situation.
@Mebgem (131)
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
If I will be a judge in a beauty contest, I would go for someone who has the looks, talent and most especially brains. For me being beautiful is not all about physical appearance, but how you carry yourself and your sincerity in everything you do. It's not just about the height, complexion, smoothness of skin, etc. The beauty inside is what matters most. =)
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
Hi Mebgem, It is a difficult job to be a judge in a beauty contest and find one who has everything. It shouldn't be based on beauty or physical appearance alone. For how can she interact and communicate with people when she represents a group or country? I personally think that there should be a good balance of both beauty and brain to become a beauty queen. Beauty inside can be seen by the way it exudes in one's behavior, mood or actions. Thanks for sharing!
• Singapore
18 Jan 10
Definitely intelligence comes first. But it is an extra bonus if she has the looks. I belive if you are intelligent, you can interact well with people.
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
Hi Sarinahahmad, You are right. The winners are chosen to represent a group or a place. They should be ones who can present themselves well in any undertaking. They should be able to communicate ideas. They should be able to interact well with any given type of people. I think it is a combination of beauty and brains that is required to become a beauty queen.
• United States
18 Jan 10
BOTH!!! Never one or the other.
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
Hi Ziyadahinc212, A good balance of everything is always ideal and good. That is why it is always a hard job for judges to come up with a decision to select the winner in beauty contests. The judges' decision would be critical as the winner will carry a big responsibility in representing a place or country. If they choose someone who has extraordinary beauty but cannot easily comprehend nor is smart enough to interact with people, it would a big blunder on their part. They need to select one who has a good combination of both beauty and brains.
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
hi there! i think a beauty queen should have both beauty and brains. "beauty queen" connotes being beautiful in every aspect of your self. you do not have too be super intelligent but you should a beautiful mind and must have enough confidence always. its the way you carry yourself and the way you converse with people that matters a lot. we see so many beautiful beauty queens who have lost because of the "question and answer" portion. how can you attract people when you can not speak your mind, or can not answer a simple question. being exaggerated doesn't make sense as well and will just make you stumble for saying too much. so beautiful face must also come with a beautiful mind to be beauty queen...
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
Hi Shylade, Exactly. I personally think that one to become a beauty queen should possess a good balance of brain and beauty. Of what use is the striking personal appearance if there is nothing in the head? How can she interact with people? How can she represent a group or country? More so, she should be able to come up with a wise decision by herself in any given situation, carry herself well and express intelligent and smart ideas and make the country she represents proud of her.
• United States
17 Jan 10
I definitely agree with hiccup and mac. The question for me would be, is this a pageant or a beauty pageant ? As far as who put the rules of this pageant together, what are they requiring the contestants be judged on, and what takes precedence ? I think we are all naturally prone to gravitate toward to what we perceive to be beauty first. This definition is not the same for everyone. But we lean that direction none the less. Not judge a book by it's cover ? We ALL do it ! At least at first. That is natural. But then our human intelligence takes over to make an intelligent decision. This is what can keep us from taking action on a snap judgment. Unfortunately we don't all respond this intelligent way. And even if we do, we don't ALWAYS respond the intelligent way.
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
Hi Workathomeexperiment, I am sorry to have misled you. I meant it to be a beauty pageant. Yes, at first glance, we judge what we see. That is why the public who witness beauty pageants already have their choices based on the physical appearance of the candidates. The moment the candidates open their mouths to answer questions from the judges, they often shift their choices to those who are "less beautiful" but are intelligent. That is where human intelligence takes over and we change our decision using it, as you have rightly said. Thanks for sharing! Have a nice day.
@maclanis (2357)
• Belgium
17 Jan 10
Personally in real life I prefer intelligence over beauty. But if I were to sit as a judge in a beauty contest, I guess I would be obligated to look at their beauty. After all it is a BEAUTY contest. :) But I think I would probably automatically prefer the ones that aren't dumb.
• Philippines
18 Jan 10
Hi Maclanis, It was a beauty pageant but there was a question and answer portion for all the finalists. The "not-so-beautiful" may have the chance to gain points over those with striking beauty but who are not so intelligent. The local beauty contest was one that did not include the swimwear competition. I think both beauty and intellect count a lot. The one with beauty and brains surely has the edge.