Ms Senior America: Behind the scenes at the beauty pageant for pensioners
Women at the contest compete with their 'inner beauty, talent and elegance'
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In a youth-obsessed world where lithe bodies and a wrinkle-free faces seem to be valued above all else - despite most of the population having neither - a handful of women in the US are celebrating old age at the Ms Senior America Pageant.
The contest for women aged over 60-years-old, which organisers describe as the “age of elegance”, has been running since 1997. It is a search, they say, for a “gracious lady who “best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans”. “It is upon their knowledge, experience and resources,” reads the competition’s website, “that the younger generation has the opportunity to build a better society."
Contestants are encouraged to “display their ‘inner beauty’, talents, elegance”. As part of the contest, the women are interviewed by a panel of judges to demonstrate "personality and conversational skill”.
Promoting the idea that beauty “is a matter of insight as well as eyesight”, the women deliver a thirty second statement where they share what they would like young people to know. Then comes the evening gown category, where women are judged on their taste, style, and “knowledge of what’s right for her.” Finally, the women must demonstrate a talent, in anything from writing poetry to singing. “Respect for the time limit shows that maturity can bring both creativity and good judgement,” the judges remind contestants on the website.
“I was in awe of some of the talent on display and the varied age of the contestants,” says photographer Brian Finke, who documented Ms Senior American 2016 for Good Housekeeping magazine. “There were 90 year olds there!”
“The women were great," he adds. "They welcomed me backstage to their dressing rooms, where I wasn't technically supposed to be, so I could capture some of the more intimate and relaxed moments I was hoping to find. Many of them told me they were nervous, but it didn't show once they stepped on stage.”
One of the most memorable moments for Finke was taking portraits of the women with their hair coiffed and dressed in their finest evening gowns.
“I asked all of the contestants to stay late after a practice session so I could photograph them,” recalls Finke. “One by one, the women jumped in front of the camera and starting Vogueing and flirting with the camera while I made the shot. Everyone was cheering and clapping for each other. It was totally unexpected and hilarious.”
Rather than seasoned pageant queens reliving their youth, Finke found that women entering the competition were first-timers.
“I think most of the women were recruited by past contestants or encouraged to enter by their hometown social clubs because they already had some incredible talent.”
Backstage, Finke watched as women carefully pieced together their looks after months of planning, doing their hair and make-up themselves. “It felt like they were pros,” says Finke.
“So many of these women, by this point in their life, had already lived through so much and survived it all,” he adds.
“It was really wonderful to hear about their backgrounds, their work lives and their families. Plus it was great to see that they didn't take themselves so seriously. They kept reminding me that they decided to age gracefully and with a sense of humour."
As a result, the pageant wasn’t as “cut-throat” than others Finke has documented. In the past he has visited bodybuilding contests and documented American football teams.
“Backstage had the normal mix of excitement, nervousness, playfulness and seriousness that I've seen before when photographing cheerleading and weightlifting competitions. Sometimes it was a bit hectic while the women were busy getting ready or practicing their talents, but other times there was a relaxed and calm vibe where everyone was just getting through the day.”
“Honestly I think everyone was just excited to be there,” he says.
Surely, though, the winner must have gloated a little when winning. It’s a competition, after all.
Unfortunately not. “The winner was gracious as expected,” says Finke. “The top finalists were so happy to be selected and I think everyone congratulated Ms. Missouri for her win.”
Quoting Ms Arkansas, Finke says: "'By this age, you've had surgeries, car accidents, deaths, divorces. You name it, we've been through it. It's how you react to it and how you grow from it that gives you wisdom.' These women lived their lives to the fullest. And it was very obvious to me that Ms Senior America was more a celebration of their lifetime of accomplishments than just a singular beauty contest.'
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