House Mom Rules For Pageant Contestants

What activities are off-limits to the pageant girls?

I can think of three things that are prohibited from the girls. One is alcohol, one is smoking and one is boys. No boys!

Do the pageant girls obey the house rules?

We lay down the rules at the orientation that takes place about six weeks before this pageant. One thing that's strictly prohibited is boyfriends in the rooms, and parents aren't, once they check in, parents aren't to be in the girls' rooms. We do monitor the hotel floors because we take our job very seriously. We're here to protect the girls, and haven't had any problems. I think the rules are pretty clear.

Do you also act as security for the girls?

I can hold my own with the best of them. That's something we take very seriously.

Can you befriend a pageant contestant?

You know, we're here to support the girls, and you know, it should be offered equally to each one of them. We're not here to coach. That's not our role. We're here as neutral supportive house moms.

Can you spot a born pageant winner?

As house Moms we are expected to remain neutral, we do not pick favorites. We are here to be supportive of all of them but we are not coaches.

Do girls come to you for advice about the pageant?

I have not had them, no. We have such a complete staff here. We do have a wonderful walking coach. She's the best. We have wonderful choreographers. So we do, they're there, but they are there for all the girls.

What happens when a girl falls apart during the pageant competition?

Absolutely . . . this is, for some of our girls, and some of our teens or younger, we are definitely here to be their moms at the pageant competition while they're away from home. For some, this is their first time away from home.

Do you see any competitiveness among the girls?

I am sure there is a competitiveness but I think they are more in competition with themselves. They have their goals that they want to accomplish, but they handle themselves in a professional, mature manner.