The Competition

Miss Iowa & Miss Iowa’s Teen

Are you the next Miss Iowa or Miss Iowa’s Teen?

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to compete at either the local or state level for Miss Iowa or Miss Iowa’s Teen in September 2027, participants must be female, meet the age requirements outlined below, and satisfy at least one of the following residency criteria: be a full-time resident of Iowa, be employed full-time in person within Iowa, or be enrolled full-time at an accredited Iowa school, college, or university.

  • Must be NO OLDER than 28 on September 30, 2027, and no younger than 18 on Sept 1, 2027.

  • Must be no YOUNGER than 14 by September 1, and no older than 18 on Sept 30, 2027.

    Teen Age Criteria- Additional Notes:

    • Miss America HQ allows the option for 18-year-old contestants to have a ‘pivot’ year to decide whether they would like to compete in the Teen or Miss divisions.

    • Additionally, once an 18-year-old decides on the division she may compete in, she may not change divisions until the next cycle. Please proceed to your applicable State online application.

To compete in the Miss Iowa Competition, a contestant must first qualify by winning an official local competition.

Following the conclusion of the local competition season, any remaining openings in the state competition may be filled through the At-Large process. At-Large registration serves as a secondary pathway to state competition and is only available after all local competitions have concluded, subject to eligibility requirements and available spots.

Phases of Competition

The private interview gives contestants the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation with the judges, discuss important issues, share their goals and qualifications, and demonstrate poise, confidence, and effective communication. This phase allows judges to gain a deeper understanding of each contestant's character, leadership potential, and readiness to serve as a titleholder.

Private Interview

This phase celebrates the unique talents, passions, and personal stories of each contestant. Delegates have up to 90 seconds to present a talent performance or participate in the HER Story™ category. Traditional talents such as dance, vocal performance, instrumental music, and visual arts are welcomed, alongside nontraditional presentations. HER Story™ provides contestants with the opportunity to use their voice to share a meaningful personal experience, message, or journey that inspires, connects, and leaves a lasting impact on the audience.

Talent/HER Story ™

The Health & Fitness phase highlights each contestant's commitment to wellness, self care, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Contestants participate in an on stage fitness presentation while sharing their personal health journey, goals, or wellness initiatives.

As part of Miss America's partnership with the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women® campaign, contestants wear signature red activewear by Rebel Athletic to help raise awareness for women's heart health. Judges consider each contestant's confidence, discipline, and dedication to overall health and wellness.

Health + Fitness

The Evening Wear phase provides contestants with the opportunity to showcase their confidence, elegance, and stage presence in formal attire of their choice. Judges focus on how contestants carry themselves and the overall impression they make, rather than the attire itself. This phase reflects a contestant's ability to represent the organization with professionalism, poise, and confidence at high profile events and appearances.

Evening Wear

On-Stage Question

During the On-Stage Question phase, contestants respond to a question live. Responses are limited to 30 seconds and are designed to showcase authentic communication, knowledge of their CSI, and the ability to think and respond effectively under pressure. This phase allows judges to evaluate a contestant's passion, advocacy skills, and confidence while speaking before a live audience.

Miss Iowa & Miss Iowa's Teen Competition Scoring

Each phase of competition is designed to evaluate the qualities necessary to serve as Miss Iowa or Miss Iowa's Teen. Contestants are scored in five areas that highlight communication skills, leadership potential, confidence, talent, and overall readiness for the job of titleholder.

    • Interview: 30%

    • Talent: 20%

    • Fitness: 20%

    • Evening Wear: 20%

    • On Stage Question: 10%

    • Interview: 30%

    • Talent: 20%

    • Fitness: 20%

    • Evening Wear: 20%

    • On Stage Question: 10%

  • Top Ten Semi-Finalists

    • Composite Score from Prelims: 30%

    • Talent: 20%

    • Fitness: 20%

    • Evening Wear: 20%

    • On Stage Question 10%