Podcast Summary: Miss Represented: Miss Grand Virginia - Maryah Samuel [Episode 69]

Date: March 27, 2026
Host: Lisa Opie
Guest: Mariah Samuel (Miss Grand Virginia 2025)
Duration Covered: [00:00]–[35:00]

Episode Overview

This episode of the Miss Represented podcast features an inspiring conversation between host Lisa Opie and Mariah Samuel, Miss Grand Virginia 2025. The discussion explores Mariah’s unconventional path into pageantry, the sisterhood behind the scenes, personal growth through competition, and the powerful life lessons gained from embracing challenges and reinvention.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction & Background ([00:00]–[01:56])

• Lisa introduces Mariah, emphasizing her multifaceted background: Boston native, notary, fitness enthusiast, and visual artist committed to self-growth through pageantry.
• Mariah shares excitement about representing Virginia, despite being from Boston, highlighting Virginia’s history, culture, and sense of community.

Quote:

“I love Virginia. I mean, I know… I moved to other states that I didn’t really like, I’ll be honest. But Virginia was excellent. Like, the people, the food, the way you can feel the history in the city. I loved living in Virginia.”
— Mariah ([01:58])

2. The Unique Appeal of Miss Grand ([03:00]–[04:14])

• Both agree Miss Grand empowers contestants to freely express themselves—funny, elegant, sexy—as opposed to more traditional pageants.
• They highlight the brand’s modernization via strong social media presence and influencer skills.

Quote:

“On a deep level, what I love about Grand is… you have 100% permission to express yourself… And then, on top of that, it’s one of the few pageant systems that has actually really modernized... so much that appeals to young people like me.”
— Mariah ([03:00])

3. National Pageant Experience ([04:15]–[07:41])

• Mariah recalls her first pageant ever was Miss Grand Virginia, and she made top 20 nationally ([05:27]).
• Describes an exhilarating week full of activities (not just a weekend), hustle, and valuable networking—not just competition.
• Emphasizes that the pageant journey itself is the true prize: “The journey is the destination.” ([05:34])

Lessons Learned:

• Importance of embracing new experiences, regardless of the outcome.
• Pageantry teaches women empowerment, social media skills, and real-world influencer marketing.

4. The Grand Business Pitch & Bringing Up the Next Generation ([07:12]–[08:57])

• Mariah shares her pitch idea (didn't get to present it officially): a pageant “sleepover camp” for younger girls—offering life skills and confidence even if they don’t pursue pageantry.
• Focus: transferable skills such as interview conduct, elevator pitches, and confidence.

Quote:

“These are skills that a pageant girl could teach to a young girl… transferable throughout their whole life, whether they choose to get into pageants or not.”
— Mariah ([08:21])

5. Overcoming Adversity & Sisterhood Support ([09:18]–[11:17])

• Mariah recounts a crisis on finals night: forgetting her makeup at the hotel ([09:37]).
• The supportive response from fellow contestants and sponsors (including Lisa’s brand) highlights the real sisterhood in pageantry.

Quote:

“Every single girl backstage was helping me assemble… They were able to take that time for me to make sure that I was good and I was comfortable too. That was just an amazing moment… an amazing memory of girlhood.”
— Mariah ([09:42]–[10:58])

• Debunking pageant stereotypes: both agree they have never seen the cattiness often depicted in media.

6. Intense Training & International Experience ([11:46]–[14:22])

• Mariah traveled to the Philippines to coach with CJ on perfecting stage walk and presence, after exploring Thailand ([11:51]–[13:08]).
• Emphasizes the technical and artistic aspects of the pageant walk.

Quote:

“She was able to really dial in with me… there’s a whole world of technical walking that I had never been introduced to before her.”
— Mariah ([13:15])

7. Competing in Top 20: Facing Fear and Chaos ([14:40]–[17:19])

• Mariah describes nervousness and exhilarating chaos of walking on stage, overcoming fear by “doing it anyway.”
• Details on the quick change into swimsuit and high energy backstage, supported by coaches and peers.

Quote:

“People are really scared and they ignore that feeling and they do the thing anyway… it was an incredibly empowering experience to conquer my fear.”
— Mariah ([14:48])

8. Miss Grand Virginia’s New Era & Advice to New Contestants ([17:22]–[21:14])

• Mariah talks about the transition to a new directorship (Yelena) and expanded opportunities.
• She emphasizes gratitude for the opportunities and connections made, encouraging others to value the journey even if outcomes aren’t immediate.

Advice:

“Just because you don’t win… it doesn’t mean you didn’t give your best. You have to be proud of the effort… With each year, you’re going to get better and better…”
— Mariah ([20:31])

9. The Reality of Pageant Growth: Perseverance over Perfection ([21:31]–[22:23])

• Challenges the myth of instant success; most winners have competed many times.
• Encourages enjoying the improvement process, not rushing to results.

Quote:

“When you see a Miss Universe… These women have competed in 10, 15 pageants before they get to that level. You have to be in it for the experience too.”
— Mariah ([21:31])

10. Discipline, Practice & Personal Growth ([23:23]–[27:16])

• Mariah shares her three-year journey to pageant competition, struggles with perfectionism and discipline.
• Details routines: diet, sleep, practice walks, public speaking.
• Humorously admits getting moved to the back during the group dance number: “They gave us a dance. I cannot dance…I got moved to the back pretty quick.” ([26:20])

11. Pageant Sisterhood & Lifelong Bonds ([27:42]–[29:40])

• Started a group chat before the pageant, led to strong friendships and ongoing mutual support.
• Emphasizes the networking and collaborative opportunities both in and beyond pageant life.

Quote:

“That’s a part of the pageant that people don’t understand too, is the networking… It becomes a beautiful bond.”
— Mariah ([29:05])

12. Gratitude & Girlhood Empowerment ([30:04]–[31:28])

• Mariah thanks Lisa for being a role model, recognizing all the unseen hard work.
• Lisa shares her mission: empowering women, fostering independence, especially financial independence.

13. “This or That” Lightning Round ([31:32]–[34:32])

• Fun, revealing answers on topics like:
  • Virginia Crown vs. Boston Roots: “Virginia Crown.” ([31:47])
  • Discipline vs. Motivation: “Discipline.” ([32:05])
  • Logic vs. Intuition, Full Glam vs. Clean Girl Aesthetic, Runway vs. Photoshoot, etc.
• Memorable moment:

“Who I’m becoming is like, back to my childhood self… I want to be, like, crazy free spirit, nothing on me, you know?”
— Mariah ([34:06])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The journey is the destination.” — Mariah ([05:34])
• “I was just really afraid going into it… but because they gave us such a great experience, I couldn’t have asked for more.” — Mariah ([05:27])
• “Every single girl backstage was helping me… it taught me like the lesson of sometimes you gotta figure stuff out.” — Mariah ([09:42])
• “I want to win my first pageant… but there’s nobody in this industry who that is true for.” — Mariah ([21:31])
• “Who I’m becoming is like, back to my childhood self.” — Mariah ([34:06])

Timestamps for Important Topics

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|----------------| | Introduction & Mariah’s Background | 00:00–01:56 | | Unique Appeal of Miss Grand | 03:00–04:14 | | National Pageant Experience | 04:15–07:41 | | Business Pitch & Skills for Young Girls | 07:12–08:57 | | Overcoming Finals Night Crisis | 09:18–10:58 | | Debunking Pageant Myths | 10:58–11:17 | | Training Abroad (Philippines, Thailand) | 11:46–14:22 | | Walking Top 20: Courage & Chaos | 14:40–17:19 | | New Leadership & Community | 17:22–18:59 | | Advice for New Contestants | 20:19–21:14 | | Discipline & Pageant Prep | 23:23–27:16 | | Sisterhood & Group Chat Friendships | 27:42–29:40 | | Gratitude & Lisa’s Empowerment Mission | 30:04–31:28 | | This or That: Personality Round | 31:32–34:32 | | Closing & Contact Info | 34:32–35:00 |

Where to Find Mariah

• Instagram: @ariah_samuel
• DMs open for questions about pageantry, personal journeys, and building sisterhood ([34:42])

Final Note

This episode radiates positivity, humility, and practical wisdom on growth, friendship, overcoming fear, and the celebration of girlhood. Both Lisa and Mariah champion authenticity, mutual support, and the importance of self-belief—reminding listeners that the ultimate win is who you become in the process.