I'm back! Loved being on stage but must say I am very disappointed in the professionalism of some of the judges and a bit disappointed as well since I could have been competing at another show on another circuit that day. I unfortunately didn't get anything out of this one and am contacting the promoters with my concerns in regards to the above. I feel like I wasted a lot of time, energy, effort, and money.
I (as stated before in my logs) did not expect to place high or even place since I still need to bring my legs up. So when you read this, PLEASE don't read too much into regarding sour grapes.... that's not it AT ALL (It's hard to "hear" tone when one is writing. I'm actually not angry at all, quite calm in fact, lol). What I do expect from a show and judges is professionalism and both positive feedback and constructive criticism... that's how I learn and can improve.
My placings were:
Female Fitness Model 7th
Figure 101 9th
Figure Novice Tall 8th
Figure 35+ 7th
Figure Open Tall 7th
Judges feed back from all the male judges (who were not huddled together) were a couple said bring my back shoulders up a bit more to create more of a V taper, only 2 said bring my thighs and glutes up (I was surprised only 2 said that) 1-said he thought I was carrying too much BF. Positives .... they all said they loved my smile and stage presence, from 2 I have the best stage presence they have ever seen.
From the 2 female judges who stayed huddled the entire show: I started to talk to the first female judge then the other descended on me at the same time, even though I was speaking to her, not addressing all of them (none of the male judges did this). My hands were too stiff (you'll see pictures below and my hands are like many featured on their own website under the criteria) they liked my stage presence the first time I went out but after that it just got "old". They did not like my smile .... and last but not least they did not like the cut of my athletic wear, thought was too revealing (uh the winner wore the same cut as me, not to mention it is the same cut as some of the models on their site and in fact covers more than one of them). They said they ALL had the exact same notes. Not ONE commented on my actual conditioning. I asked the criteria about the figure model division which actually states they are looking for fitness models thet are magazine quality (I do modeling as a side line what I do for a living, and I was the only model there) the bolder one said I was "wrong". She was quite nasty, I have not had anyone talk to me in such a manner before. I guess I am too nice, or was taught well by my elders. But I just smiled and then said thank you. The positive feedback they gave me ...... nothing, not one thing.
The bolder one was also the announcer, we had 80 competitors do stage walks that evening, we all went in order. I was in line waiting and got skipped .... they let the next competitor go while the gentleman lining us up ran to find out what happened, mine was conveniently found dropped on the floor. I asked him if I could add thank-yous like everyone else was allowed too (I asked bold lady judge announcer earlier, and she said no, it was too late even though I had just watch one hand theirs to her). He let me do it (thank-you back stage gentleman).
To top it off, one of the male judges confided in me that the ladies knocked me way back in standings because BOTH scored me WAY lower than any of the men.
I have had female judges in the past, and have never had one be unprofessional, in fact at my first show the female judge was the on who had more scored so high. So this is not a male female thing, I felt it was just so odd at this particular show that that is how it played out. Everyone has opinions, there will be several judges I'll meet in the future, who just aren't going to like me. But I imagine their reasoning will be based on my performance or physique. I really did feel singled out by them. The woman was obviously "someone" since she had so much influence on the other, so I imagine I'll meet up with her again. So once I get her name, I'll know if she is judging a certain show and be able to better choose my shows or at least know she's going to knock me way back.
The people who actually put on the show had everyone hustling and moved the show along quickly, meetings were fast and effcient. They did a great job keeping the show running smoothly! Some of the evening performances by the men were just amazingly well done.
Was thinking of doing the show in DC this weekend, but it's the same circuit. So if Sat is any indication on how it will run, I think I will skip it. The next one is another circuit in a couple of weeks. I've actually been at that venue before, it was very well done.
On a positive note, my photo shoot which followed the comp was awesome!!! I had a blast doing it
Pics from show:
Various Figure Classes
Fitness Model Line up:
Myself with my "trainer" and tan applier:
Myself with hubby (doesn't he looked thrilled .... he was actually smiling earlier but we were waiting for the shot to be taken, lol)
Hubby with my daughter:
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FYI 5 divisions means going on stage 10 times (AM & PM shows) and holding poses (keeping everything tight) each time under hot lights, while dehydrated and totally depleted.
I think we're similar.... I don't feel jealous towards other women, and it always catches me off guard when I find out other women are threatened by me in some way. 
I'm glad we are all supportive of each other here on VBBF.
