Former pageant winner now coaches others to crowning achievements

As a former Miss New Jersey Teen USA, Jacklyn Pezzotta Gray, 30, of Manahawkin knows beauty queens and pageants sometimes have negative stereotypes. But, based on her experience, the idea of pretty but empty-headed young women wearing a crown could not be farther from the truth.

Photo via Jacklyn Pezzotta Gray
Jacklyn Pezzota Gray (right) congratulates
her pageant coaching client, Gina Mellish, on
becoming Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2016.

Working within the Miss Universe Organization as a pageant coach for the past seven years, Pezzotta Gray has helped bring lawyers, scientists and future doctors “that are the most down to earth, ambitious and intelligent women you will ever meet” to their crowning glory. She coached the past three Miss New Jersey USA winners and the past two Miss New Jersey Teen USA champions.

“Each girl is unique on what made them a winner, but the qualities they have in common, I would have to say, are their hard work and determination. They all put everything they had into it,” Pezzotta Gray stated. “That being said, you can’t just win with hard work. Their beauty and charm were also key factors, and the judges fell in love with them.”

As the official coach for Miss New Jersey USA, Miss New Jersey Teen USA, Miss Delaware USA and Miss Delaware Teen USA, the local resident gets “to see lives change and help dreams come true.” The transformation in each of her clients and the skills they acquire go beyond the stage, allowing them to accomplish “great success” professionally and personally, she said.

“So many clients have reached out letting me know they just landed their dream job or got into their dream college using the skills we worked on,” said Pezzotta Gray. “I also see it improve their personal relationships and dating life, believe it or not. They gain so much self-respect and confidence, they tend to get out of toxic relationships and set the bar higher – which, I think, is pretty awesome, too.”

Pezzotta Gray’s pageant coaching typically includes helping clients attain presence from makeup and wardrobe styling to proper communication, fitness and nutrition. In essence, she helps them get to know their best self.

“The girl can have everything on the outside together, but if she does not believe in who she is and know herself, when she walks on that stage she will not be able to shine,” she said, noting that her husband, Jon Gray, is the official fitness trainer for Miss New Jersey USA and Miss New Jersey Teen USA in preparation for Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.

To bring out the best in every client, Pezzotta Gray said they need to “cut the BS.” She does not expect her clients to be flawless; otherwise they wouldn’t need to hire her, she said. This sort of relationship, she believes, allows her clients to really open up.

“They get to be 100 percent real with me, and they know that I am always going to tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear,” she said. “I think the trust I build with my clients is what allows me to guide them to their best version of themselves. I never give a false praise, so when they get positive feedback, they know it’s real and something to build confidence upon.”

Pezzotta Gray’s largest following is in New Jersey, but her clients come from all over the country. The interest has been building since she’s had consecutive winners.

“I believe my ability to visualize someone’s potential, knowing exactly what they need to do to achieve it and directly but positively communicating it to my clients, is my natural God-given talent,” said Pezzotta Gray.

Her experience in the pageant industry, including becoming the first Miss New Jersey Teen USA to make the top five at Miss Teen USA, as well as her diverse background in the entertainment business from celebrity makeup and modeling to movies and radio, is also a valuable component many other pageant coaches cannot offer, she said.

Although Pezzotta Gray strictly works within the Miss Universe Organization since that’s where she has competed and she knows it to be an “extremely fair and well-run organization that offers many amazing opportunities for their title holders,” she is often hired by young women and mothers looking into the entertainment industry. Sometimes people need help getting their dream job, and others just want a makeover. She also helps younger girls who may be bullied or need a confidence booster. However, she does not provide services for kiddie pageants, which is a separate industry.

Along with her coaching services, Pezzotta Gray offers personal development and makeovers to anyone through her business, Jacklyn Beauty. The on-site company, which serves the tri-state area, specializes in large weddings, prom parties, runway shows and beauty events. The group is the official hair and makeup team for New Jersey, Delaware and New York preliminary pageants for Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. She has worked with celebrities on the sets of “Entourage,” “House” and “Private Practice” as well as with Rusk Hair Products, Bliss Magazine, Island Bridal and Nordstrom.

Because of her experience, Pezzotta Gray encourages any young woman who is in the age range and wants to grow and learn life-long skills to compete in a Miss Universe Organization pageant.

“It is a life-changer. You don’t need to win for it to change your life,” she emphasized. “As a young woman who is an entrepreneur, a wife and new mom of a little, baby girl of 9 months, I always encourage women to go for their dreams and not to give up no matter their circumstances,” she said. “... I always wanted to be able to work for myself and put myself in a position that when I had family I was able to be present and work as much and as little as I wanted to. After years of work, I am there, and I also get to give many other girls the opportunities as well, which is extremely fulfilling.”

— Kelley Anne Essinger


This article was published in The SandPaper.