Overcoming the Interview

By Avery Manthe

For many competitors, the interview is the most dreaded portion of the competition. It’s the one portion you can’t script or plan second by second. You can’t predict every question or gauge how the judges reacted to each one of your answers. But, there is one thing you can control: your mindset. 

As simple — even cheesy — as it sounds, confidence is key. Going into the interview with self-assurance is what allows you to proudly and authentically represent who you are. Winning my local interview portion, especially in my very first year of competing, was an incredibly rewarding moment. I’d hope to carry that strength and momentum with me on to the state level. 

Still, I wasn’t immune to nerves. It was my first time competing within the Miss America Organization, and I was sharing the stage with women who had been pursuing the title of Miss Wisconsin for over a decade. Comparison crept in, and doubt tried to settle. 

The night before interviews, something shifted. A few fellow titleholders and I were talking about our nerves, and I suddenly became the group’s unofficial hype woman. I found it so easy to encourage them — tossing out lines of solace like, “You’ve got this!” and “You’re going to do amazing!” And then, almost without thinking, I said something that stuck with me: 

“You can’t get a question about yourself or your opinion wrong. You know yourself better than anyone else in this competition.” 

It was meant to comfort them, but in saying it out loud, it made perfect sense. Earlier I had joked that my favorite topic was myself — which might sound self-centered, but really, it’s just the truth: I know everything there is to know about that topic, because I am me. So when I listened to my half-serious comfort remarks, I found the truth in them. 

When I had my interview that next morning, I reminded myself of my own words: “You know yourself better than anyone else here.” Even though I was surrounded by incredible women with years of experience, I decided to focus on what made me, uniquely me. 

I didn’t walk away with the title of Miss Wisconsin — but I did walk away with the Non-finalist Interview Award, tied for the Overall Interview Award with the new Miss Wisconsin herself, and was voted Heart of Miss Wisconsin by my fellow titleholders. That last one meant the world to me — because while the judges saw my voice and authenticity, the inspiring women beside me saw my heart. I had fulfilled my goals I had set for myself and even more. 

What I’ve learned is this: the interview isn’t about being the smartest person in the room or having a perfect answer to every question. It’s about owning who you are and what you know. When you lead with confidence and speak your truth, you leave an impact — crown or not.

A few interview reminders I live by: 

● You are the only person who knows everything about you. 
● It's okay to take a breath. A pause shows confidence — better than filling space with “um” or rambling just to avoid silence. 
● Judges don’t want a rehearsed version of you; they want the authentic you. 

● Be kind to yourself. Self doubt is human, but it doesn’t wear the crown. 

So if you’re reading this in preparation for your first interview — or fifth — just remember: you don’t need to be anyone else beside yourself to impress the judges. Your voice, your story, your truth are enough. You have got this. 

I hope you didn't expect anything but cheesy advice from a local Wisconsin title holder.

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Avery Manthe is the current Miss Wausau Area (WI). You can follow her on her Instagram. 

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.