Lynne Kush's Top Beauty Pageant Tips
Canada's Hot Model Shares Secrets to Her Success

Poised and elegant, Lynne Kush as the Miss Molson Indy in Canada.

Editor's Note: Lynne is married to NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger. She rocketed up as a model by entering a few local contests in her native Toronto and really hit the spotlight when she was named Miss Molson Indy for all of Canada. She shares her top 10 modeling tips for success for PubClub.com.

In my roles as delegate co-coordinator for the Face of Champ Car contest and a former Miss Molson Indy Canada (as well as a Playboy Cyber Girl of the Month), I've seen a lot of girls enter contests and beauty pageants and leave either very happy or very disappointed.

So these are my Top 10 Tips for models to be successful....in my opinion!

Lynne put her creativity to good use in the Miss Indy pageant.

Tip # 5 – Be courteous to your fellow models. Lynne is third from right.

TIP # 1: Never act like you are the best thing that just walked through the door! Leave the pre-madonnna attitude at home! No matter what contest you are in, or what event you are at, or no matter how well you think you are going to fair...always act like you are the newest kid on the block! You can always stand to learn a new thing or two from your fellow contestants or organizers.

TIP #2: Always investigate or learn about the contest you are entering or the event you are trying to represent. Nothing looks more "model type" than someone that does not have a clue about the event or company they are representing. Do some homework, memorize a little bit. And if there's questions that come up during the event that you are unsure of, then be honest and say you do not know the answer. Do not try to fake it!

Tip #2: Get to know the event you are entering. (Photo: Simon Leung )

TIP $3: Be prepared for the event. Never leave outfits or routines for contests until the last minute. You'll run out of time, and then you will not be satisfied with your selections. Always bring a little sewing kit with you, because you never know when you'll have to make last-minute fixes! Always bring a cordless curling iron if you are curling your hair because there is almost never a plug outlet in change rooms! Always bring your own mirror! Why fight for a mirror with all the others?

Full of conficence – and with a smile – Lynne sweeps the stage to victory.

TIP #4: Be on time! Always! This is a must. Being fashionably late for a contest or an event....is bad business! No one cares if you had to powder your nose....again! In this business being late often means that someone else will get your spot!

TIP #5: Be curtious to your fellow models. There's no point to being rivals and bad-mouthing each other. Yes, it makes for an interesting competition but when the contest is over, it just makes for enemies! Treat everyone with respect.

TIP #6: Do not-bad talk your fellow contestants/models at any point in time! I know this one sounds like #5 but it bares repeating! Talking to girls about other girls....never stays a secret! A lesson to be well learned by many females. From experience....it's never the loudest girl that wins!

Lynne wins the Miss Canada Swimsuit contest. (Photo: Ryan Visma)

On stage at the Indy – in a matter of moments, Lynne takes the title.

TIP #7:  Respect the organizers of the contest. These are the people that can make or break you. If you think for one second they do not have any hand in selecting the winner...guess again! The judges may pick the winner, but the organizers often give a full report to the judges about how a contestant has been acting throughout the event. Everything does get noticed. Even when you think you are not being judged....guess what? You are being judged. So you usually cannot fake it!

TIP #8: Respect the rules of the contest. If there is a curfew, even if you are 30 years old, there's a reason for the curfew! Don't be shocked if there's a surprise check at your door just after curfew.

TIP #9: Leave your boyfriends at home!!! Oh for god sakes, this one has to be the biggest one! Ladies, your boyfriend can be your best friend, but at times your worst enemy. Guys love to see girls in magazines, or whereever but when it is their girlfriend that is being the subject of every man's attention, watch out for a change in attitude. Don't let him dictate what you can and cannot do. If you want to enter a contest or do a photo shoot, and if you've done your homework prior to, it, then all the more power to you. Tell the boyfriend that you'll call him when you get the chance during the event but you'll be busy!

Lynne hams it up with the other Miss Indy Vancouver contestants.
(Photo: Simon Leung)

TIP #10: Have fun! Enjoy the experience. Whether it is a contest, an event, a show or whatever, treat it like you may never get to be there again or do itt ever again. Soak up the memories! And always follow up with a kind thank you email to the organizers so you never burn your bridges!

BONUS TIP – Refrain from saying the contest was fixed if you do not win. It just makes you look like a sore loser. That's why it's so important that you try to just have fun instead.

By being yourself, learning about the contest you are entering and being prepared you, too, can be living the model rock star lifestyle. (Photo: Simon Leung )