REQUIRED CATEGORIES

There are five categories that comprise the percentage-tally to select the Semi-Finalists for Mr. Teen United States, Mr. United States, and Mr. United States Esquire. All five categories are mandatory and have a different percentage factor at each phase of the competition. Preliminary competitions include: Private Interview, Community Platform, Fitness/Swimwear, Runway Fashion, and Formalwear. The final category, On-Stage Question, only applies to the Top 4 Finalists in each division. It carries a percentage amount combined with all other scored categories.

PRIVATE INTERVIEW

Private Interview consists of a eight-minute (8:00) interview conducted by the judges with each contestant. The interview is designed to discover the contestant’s interests, opinions, aspirations, accomplishments, poise, presence, and his ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the title. Traditional standard for business interview attire is most appropriate; however, contemporary trends that maintain the standard of business-appropriate are acceptable. The MUS Season includes a dual interview system of two (2) scored Private Interviews: Pre-Nationals (Virtual) & At-Nationals (Live In-Person). Each interview is formatted in four specific sections:

Opening Statement (15 seconds or less)
Business Interview Questions (approximately 6 minutes)
Media/Press Round Robin (approximately 1.5 minutes)
Closing Statement (15 seconds or less)

The interview will give the judges insight into the contestant’s personality, the depth of knowledge about current events, the ability to handle difficult questions, and how well he is able to answer questions and validate his answers. The interview is structured in a manner to determine if he could be a well-rounded spokesperson for the national organization.

Private Interview Scoring Criteria Includes:

The ability to express and distinguish his beliefs and opinions
Ability to fulfill national titleholder job responsibilities
Awareness of social issues and national concerns
Confident and commanding presence
Personality, appearance, and attractiveness
Exceptional communication skills, articulate speech, vocabulary, and grammar

COMMUNITY PLATFORM

Community Platform consists of the combination of two components: Pre-pageant social media/community work, and the presentation of information at the national pageant. Each contestant must select a platform issue/concept in which he cares deeply. The platform should be relevant to our country and usable by social media outlets to inform, encourage, and/or inspire others. The MUS Season includes a preliminary score for the pre-pageant work and online presentation. The nationals live-presentation of the Community Platform will be scored separately, and factored as an additional preliminary category score. Contestants can use a wide range of tools to present their community work at the national pageant including but not limited to: multimedia presentation, posters, flyers, brochures, reports, website/online content, etc. Specific rules are submitted to each state titleholder once selected.

Community Platform Guide

Former Titleholders Community Platform Topics

Community Platform Scoring Criteria Includes:

The depth of community work efforts and its effect on the community
Personal platform knowledge, passion, understanding and commitment to purpose
Use of social media to advance platform issue in society
Organization, creativity, and effectiveness of presentation
Exceptional communication skills, articulate speech, vocabulary, and grammar

FITNESS/SWIMWEAR

Fitness/Swimwear displays each contestant’s ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle of nutrition and physical fitness. Judges consider each contestant’s sense of confidence, attractiveness, and presence. It is important to remember that it is not about any particular body style, shape or frame. This category is more about how well he maintains good health, and his ability to represent the organization as a fitness/swimwear model.

Fitness/Swimwear Scoring Criteria Includes:

Attractiveness and Presence – Can he be the face of the organization in the lifestyle industry?
Lifestyle Statement of Strong Physical Health – Is the contestant toned, firm, and physically fit?
Modeling Ability – Does he exhibit good posture? Does he walk with poise and confidence?
Overall Presentation – Does he exhibit energy, charisma, self-composure, and an attractive expression?

RUNWAY FASHIOn

Runway Fashion showcases each contestant’s ability to model fashion befitting for the runway. Judges consider each contestant’s choice of attire, style, fashion-appeal, and presence. Runway Fashion wardrobe choices should meet industry standards of appropriateness and design. All choices should be tasteful, current, and relevant. Judges are not only scoring the wardrobe selection, but also the manner in which he carries himself as a professional model. Contestants should avoid formalwear, and should not select costumes that are not functional as apparel.

Runway Fashion Scoring Criteria Includes:

Style and Fashion – Can he be the face of the organization in the fashion industry?
Personality Statement of Character – Is his choice memorable and in alignment with his personality?
Modeling Ability – Does he exhibit good posture? Does he walk with poise and confidence?
Marketability – Could his look be seen on a professional runway?
Overall Presentation – Does he exhibit energy, charisma, self-composure, and an attractive expression?

FORMALWEAR

Formalwear reveals each contestant’s charm and poise to be considered The Nation’s Gentleman. Judges consider each contestant’s choice of attire, class, and presence while modeling. Formalwear presentation should project his attractiveness and composure. Formalwear choices must not be business attire; however, trendy selections of high-fashion formalwear are acceptable. Judges are not only scoring the wardrobe selection, but also the manner in which he carries himself as a professional model. Contestants should avoid unapproachable projections. His gentleman’s style and class will be considered far more than the apparel alone.

Formalwear Scoring Criteria Includes:

Sense of Confidence and Poise – Is he immediately recognizable as a gentleman?
Stage Presence – Does he command the stage? Is his handsome presence genuinely felt?
Modeling Ability – Does he exhibit good posture? Does he walk with poise and confidence?
Complimentary Wardrobe – Is his formalwear selection complimentary to his natural appeal?
Overall Presentation – Does he exhibit energy, charisma, self-composure, and an attractive expression?

ON-STAGE QUESTION

On-Stage Question demonstrates each contestant’s ability to respond to a question in front of a live audience. Judges are listening for each contestant’s capability to express his opinion while answering the question in the context of which it was asked. Contestants are allowed forty seconds (0:40) to answer an on-stage question that could include but not be limited to subjects such as: current events, social issues, morals and values, etc. Judges are not only scoring each contestant’s response on its sensibility, but also on how well he validated his opinion.

On-Stage Question Scoring Criteria Includes:

Does the contestant possess the charisma and stage presence to be a spokesman for the national organization?
Did the contestant answer the question in the context in which it was asked?
Did the contestant display a commanding presence?
Is the contestant able to handle the pressure of being questioned and responding in front of an audience?
Did he make the audience want to listen to him?
Will his peers view him as a role model who is reflective of his generation?

OPTIONAL CATEGORIES

There are three (3) optional categories that Mr. Teen United States, Mr. United States, & Mr. United States Esquire Contestants can compete: Talent, Fan Favorite, & Gentleman of the Year (GOTY). These competitions are separate from the final results tally and are not mandatory for any contestant. Each division will recognize three finalists in its Talent Category. The highest-scoring contestant will be named the Talent Category Winner in each division. (MTUS, MUS, & MUSE). One individual from all three combined divisions will be awarded the overall Fan Favorite Award. One individual from all three combined divisions will be awarded the overall Gentleman of the Year Award. All individuals selected as optional category winners will use all other required preliminary scores to factor advancement into the next round.

TALENT

Talent consists of a performance not exceeding two-minutes and thirty seconds (2:30). Judges are looking for contestants with proficient training and presentational performance skills. The talent category judges the quality of the performance, technical skill level, stage presence and the interest and entertainment value.

Talent Scoring Criteria Includes:

Selection and Performance – Does the talent distinguish his personality and skill, discipline and work ethic?
Interpretive Ability/Technical Skill Level – How well does he execute his talent? How good are his technique, projection/placement, and control?
Showmanship & Personality – Does he exhibit stage presence?
Costume, Props, Music, Voice, Use of the Body and Choreography – Does the totality of all elements involved accomplish the overall goal of the performance?
Entertainment Value – Was the performance entertaining and enjoyable? Would an audience wish to see the performance again?

FAN FAVORITE

Fan Favorite consists of a four-day online polling to decide America’s favorite contestant! This category is often referenced as ‘The People’s Choice’ considering it is awarded to the gentleman who garners the most online support and votes during the four-day polling period. The individual with the most online votes from all three combined divisions (MTUS, MUS, & MUSE) will be awarded the overall Fan Favorite Award.

GENTLEMAN OF THE YEAR

Gentleman of the Year consists of a combination of pre-pageant challenges, fundraising, and online media polling. Judges do not take any part in the selection of the Gentleman of the Year Winner. This category is comprised of two separate sub-categories: Social Media Challenges & Organizational Fundraising (Scholarship Campaign, Souvenir Book Advertisements, Online Paid Boosts). The overall contestant with the highest cumulative total of points generated from both sub-categories automatically wins the Gentleman of the Year Competition and receives a $250 scholarship.

Gentleman of the Year Criteria Includes:

Social Media Challenges
Organizational Fundraising & Online Paid Boosts