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Paulina Malulu Talks Pageant Coaching

Beauty pageants have been around as far back as ancient Greece. In all this time, pageants have evolved from a primitive selection of the fairest of all the goddesses, to major events with big sponsorships and much fanfare.

As big as these pageants have become, what contestants put into their preparations has also been upped a notch, and pageant coaches are quick to cash in.

In countries like the US, where pageants are run more as a professional business, pageant coaches are revered, with hopefuls flocking to them for advice. Known for mentoring Miss USA title holders, Bill Alverson is highly sought after for his work with pageant participants, putting them on the road to success. They are given expert tips on their presentation, how to walk, interviewing skills and many other aspects of beauty pageants.

A lawyer by profession, Alverson opens his doors to beauty queens with tiaras and sashes on their minds, but at a price. At US$80 an hour, he prides himself on being brutally honest with his clients in order to get to the top. “If someone is working with me, they are paying by the hour, so they need quality time. Many people who have experienced life coaching emerge thinking they are leaders, but when you send them out, they fall apart,” he told The Telegraph in February.

In Namibia, pageant coaches are increasingly being sought out and one can usually tell when someone has received extra grooming tips.

The Namibian spoke to former Miss Namibia Paulina Malulu, who is making it her business to groom young women and get them ready for the world of pageants. As the owner of Dingi Model Academy, Paulina helps young girls who dream of following in her footsteps.

I am a somatologist by profession, a philanthropist by heart and a beauty queen by passion, so it was very natural for me to follow my passion from being a beauty queen to a pageant coach. I started coaching in 2011.

Passion. It is important to have a genuine interest in pageantry. Our school does not discriminate, any aspiring beauty queen can train with us. However she must have the following Dingi Ds: Desire, Discipline, Determination and Devotion.

When I started training, I did both modelling and pageant coaching but now the school only focuses on pageantry. Our focus at Dingi Model Management is personal development, etiquette, on-stage communication, interviews, image and presentation, amongst others.

Fees vary. The more guest coaches/experts scheduled for that year or a specific workshop, the higher the fee. Fees also vary for group workshops, individual coaching and our mentorship programme. Our packages are diverse and flexible so students pick the package that suits their budget.

Depending on the time required, some students receive more attention than others, especially beginners. We also offer individual training for those who prefer more one on one or topic focused training. As for our workshops, those are only group focused.

Coaching prepares you physically, mentally and even emotionally. Most successful beauty queens have had some or other form of training before entering pageants.

Coaching is like preparing for a job interview, you do your homework.

Additional information: Telegraph

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