The panel.
Independent judges scoring against published criteria — so a result can be explained, not just announced.
Judges are confirmed closer to the audition stage. The full panel and their scoring criteria are published here before any scoring begins.
How the pageant worksWhat the judges score.
Each judge scores every contestant against the criteria below. Criteria carry different weights, so a higher weight counts for more in the final standing.
Poise & Elegance
×1.00Stage presence, posture and confidence.
16.0% of the judged score • out of 10 pointsIntelligence & Communication
×1.50Clarity, reasoning and articulation during Q&A.
24.0% of the judged score • out of 10 pointsCultural Representation
×1.25Authenticity and depth of cultural expression.
20.0% of the judged score • out of 10 pointsAdvocacy & Purpose
×1.50Strength and credibility of the chosen social cause.
24.0% of the judged score • out of 10 pointsTalent
×1.00Creativity, skill and originality of the talent showcase.
16.0% of the judged score • out of 10 pointsWhere public votes fit
Public votes and judges' scores are recorded completely separately — neither can overwrite the other. The weighting between them is published before each round opens, so everyone knows what a vote is worth before they cast one. Every vote remains checkable on the verification page.