2025 Contest Elements and Judging Criteria

Contest Elements and Judging Criteria 

Scores will be awarded in each category based upon the contestant’s expression, comfort, and confidence as well as alignment with the mission of the contest.

Interview

35% of total score

Interviews are not open to the public. They are your only individual, in depth time with all the judges. Interviews will last up to 15 minutes depending on the number of contestants. Interview questions will include political topics provided to the contestants no less than two (2) months prior to the contest, however they will not make up ALL of the questions asked by the judges.  Answers should be clear, concise, and to the point. Attire is your choice, but should reflect the category and what you are comfortable wearing. Keep in mind, attire may be considered by the judges in their score.

Judges should focus their questions on the contestant’s answers to political topics,  history, values, and experience within the community and how it aligns with the mission of the contest.  Please remember, ABW is moving to be a politically active and lobbying title. 

Meet & Greet

10% of total score

You will have 90 seconds to introduce yourself on stage during the program. Additionally, you are expected to mix and mingle during the meet and greet with judges and attendees. This may include selling tickets, bingo cards, or other items to help contestants interact and fundraise. Attire is your choice. Suggested dress is whatever makes you feel the hottest or sexiest while out cruising at a leather bar. 

Judges should consider the ability of the contestants to mix, connect, and intermingle within an event or bar environment. Comfort in addressing a crowd who may not be entirely engaged should be considered as well as content of introduction.

Hot Wear and Pop Question

10% of total score

Hot Wear celebrates the sex-positive nature of our community. Attire is your choice and should reflect your sexiest self-image.You will be asked a pop question and have 60 seconds to answer it. Remember, these questions are meant to be lighthearted and are meant to give a glimpse into your personality. 

Judges in scoring should consider the comfort, appeal, and confidence of the contestant as well as their ability to improvise and think on their feet. 

Speech

30% of total score

The speech will be based on a political topic that is affecting your community on a local or national level. Topics from the list given for interview questions are acceptable to cover as well. Attire is your choice, keep in mind it should represent you as a confident leather person.  All speeches are limited to 3 minutes maximum; for each 10 seconds over, you will incur a 10 point reduction in overall speech points.

Judges in scoring should consider presentation, clarity, passion on the subject, and the speech’s alignment with the mission. ABW does not judge on the basis of “full leather” or “formal wear”. We are looking for a titleholder that values the mission of ABW and will be the best representative possible.

Fantasy

15% of total score

Many contestants are most anxious about the fantasy category. Have fun and remember, make them laugh, cry, or horny…two of the three is great…three out of three is stellar. The fantasy is your opportunity to be entertaining and imaginative, and to provide insight into your personality. The fantasy should showcase the contestant, avoid complexity, and make effective use of the stage space. Looking for inspiration? Go to YouTube and search ABW Fantasy and you will be able to find some videos of past fantasies that have been performed by all contestants. Remember, just because a person won the contest doesn’t mean that they got high score on their fantasy. The fantasy should be no more than 5 minutes in length including setup and tear down. Any contestant going over 5 minutes will lose 10 points on the total fantasy score.   

Judges in scoring should consider entertainment value, stage presence, and imaginative nature. Insights into the contestant personality, and effective narrative elements of the fantasy should also be considered.

Contestant Auction Baskets and Raffle Sales

Judged as part of the Meet and Greet

All contestants are expected to assemble at least one basket of items to be auctioned during the weekend as well as providing 2-4 individual items totaling $50-100 to be added to the auction baskets for our charities. The proceeds from the auction will be applied towards the travel fund, charity, and general operations. 

• Each basket should have a minimum value of $300-500. 

• You can put together as many as you are able to assemble. The number of baskets provided, and the final selling price have no impact on the contestants score.   

• Include a typed list of items and the value in the basket

Basket Tips

If possible, baskets should sort things into groups, collections, or items of similar interest which can include leather/fetish items, items representing the geographic area/region, or other items.  

Previous baskets have had anything and everything such as books, fetish pieces, dungeon toys, clothing, collectables, pieces of artwork, photography, music CDs, porn, non-perishable foods, hand crafted items of quality (quilts, pride items, stained glass), or run or event registration certificates. 

Many contestants solicit donations from their area bars and businesses, leather clubs and sponsors.  Some even plan a send-off party before leaving home as a way of obtaining items from supporters.  One appealing feature to encourage greater interest (“auction fever”) is the inclusion of shipping costs, making the purchase of the basket that much more advantageous.

If a basket includes an item that merits particular interest it may be auctioned separately from the rest of the basket on the decision of the Emcee.  It’s important to keep in mind that this is a great opportunity to show a contestant’s fund-raising abilities. Should you have any questions/issues about your basket, please contact the contestant coordinator.

All baskets and the materials within them are the sole property of ABW and will be auctioned during the weekend or sold off or used as raffle/support prizes for other ABW fundraising functions throughout the year. No items will be returned once turned over to the ABW staff/team.