Competition Rules and Regulations

Talent Rules

Talent Rules and Regulations

1. ALL entries have a 2 min lime limit to perform. A 5 point penalty will be assessed for every 10 seconds over time limit. CD accompaniment is preferred as a cassette tape deck is not always available. Notify Elite if that is your only music option in advance.


2. Stage time will be given to everyone to mark their routine, but a complete run through will not be possible. One sound check will be done by sound crew prior to competition. Due to space only ONE (1) badge parent is allowed back stage for changes per contestant. There will be a separate space supplied for makeup/hair assistants. NO ACCEPTIONS!


3. Coaching from off stage in audience or from backstage during a performance to assist a contestant is prohibited and NO ONE is allowed near the judges table.


4. Dancers & Acrobats– this is a talent competition. You are not limited to how many "tricks", tumbling passes, flips, etc. that you may have in your routine. Be as creative as you like. However, be advised that Elite is not liable for any injuries while attending or competing at this competition. Keep in mind that the stage is usually portable and is NOT a fixed platform.


5. Vocalists – ABSOLUTELY NO lead vocals are allowed on your CD. This means you may not sing along with your favorite artist and expect to be judged for it. Nor are you allowed to pre-record your own voice and sing over the top of it. Background vocals allowed only. Any vocalists that compete and sing over lead vocals will receive the lowest placing at awards. Select AGE APPROPRIATE songs. This is just as important part of your score as the performance itself.


6. Props are allowed for entries but there are a few that are prohibited: Fire, water, pyrotechnics, glass, swords or knives or sharp objects, live animals. At NO time can objects be thrown off stage. Large props are only allowed 1 minute for set up time. Point penalties will be assessed after that. There is no prop master so make sure you have someone that will set up and remove your props.


7. MUSIC SELECTIONS – Remember there will be attendants of all ages. Please be conscious of other participants when selecting the content of your music. Excessive foul language in vocals will not be tolerated. Choreography presented showing displays of violence, social prejudice or overt sexual innuendo will result in sever point deduction.


8. Only one (1) song per CD is allowed. Do not give the sound booth a CD with several songs on it. They are not responsible for the wrong song coming on during your entrance to the stage.


9. CD's must be labeled with contestant name and name of routine or song and presented alone or in a single slip or jewel case. NO CD books will be accepted.


10. Entries that are competing in more than one category must notify Elite two weeks prior to the competition to guarantee time for costume changes. NO changes to the schedule will be done the day of the competition.


11. Photography is prohibited. A professional photographer will be on hand to photograph EVERY contestant and photos will be available for order during the competition. ALL cell phones and pagers must be on silent in the facility at all times.


12. NO outside food and drink allowed, other than bottled water. Concession stand will be open when app.


13. By entering this competition, you release your likeness, vocals, choreography etc., to Elite for website, promotions and photographs for promotional efforts.


14. Contestants may enter more than talent entry and must pay for each entry separately. Each entry will be judged separately. Entering multiple entries only increases chances to win due to that particular performance receiving a better score than the other.


15. Hand held mic supplied only. Personal head sets may be used but no sound check is offered.

Important Information

Elite USA is a glamorous system, very different from everyone else. We combine the best of both worlds from natural and glitz systems.

Hair- Hair should be fixed and elegant, without being over bearing on the child or distracting. Hair pieces are allowed, but keep in mind that if that is the first thing a judge notices on the child, above and beyond her appearance, you may want to re-think it. Enhance without distracting. We allow hair pieces because this system promotes the building of self confidence in each competitor. If she is afraid to present herself because she was not gifted with great hair, hair pieces allow her to hold her head high and enjoy her stage time. Use your best judgment.

Makeup - Part of the fun of being in a pageant, in our opinion, is dressing up. Makeup is allowed on all age divisions, again, as long as it is not distracting. False eyelashes, heavy liner and dark lips should not be on contestants under the age of 12. Flippers are allowed but not always recommended, as they tend to inhibit clear speech. Since interview is almost 50% of our score, be careful with these. Part of being a kid is a missing tooth, so be proud of it. Natural colors, light gloss, light blush (so you don't appear pale under stage lights, and mascara is just about all you need in the younger age divisions. If you are gifted with great skin color and lashes...natural is great! There is no "one way is better than another" in this area. It is based on an individual basis.

Clothing - We encourage custom clothing. If you put thought into what you compete in, to us, it means you care about wearing an Elite title and take your participation to heart. Glitz type clothing is acceptable, however, we have seen many "over-the-top" outfits that look more like costumes than custom outfits. Stay away from these. Your outfit should enhance who you are as a contestant, not hide who you are. Formals adorned with crystals and beads are fine, as well as cupcake formals (babies, toddlers and Tiny only), ballgowns in Little Miss through Jr Teen and form fitting gowns with slits and trains in divisions Teen and up. If you have a formal you wore in a wedding as a flower girl, or it is "T" length from a dept. store, you should upgrade your gown at the state and national level.

INTERVIEW - We make many appearances during the year, so royalty that speaks well and is not afraid to talk is important. Interview and presentation skills will carry you through life, and Elite feels that it should be these skills, above all, that should be most important in competition. Personal interview (45%), combined with a 20sec personal intro on stage (5%), counts as 50% of the over-all score. (Some events may vary, as not all will include Interview and/or intro). This is why it is not always "the most expensive dress" that wins a title with Elite.

IMPORTANT - Always remember, judges all have opinions and you are being judged on their opinion. Rules are only suggestions to judges and they will judge on what they prefer. The outcome is merely a combination of all their opinions combined. Dress your best, present yourself with pride, and you should be victorious.