Behind the scenes at the Miss Mississippi Pageant is a curious place, and being able to peek behind the curtain is an occasion few experience. A good bit of laughs, a few tears and a lot of support can be found there.

“Everything that you can image that happens in pageant world really happens backstage, but it’s not as rude and crude as you think it is,” Miss New South Arrielle Marie Dale said. “It’s a positive experience.”

However, emotions can run high backstage, and the occasional breakdown has been known to happen.

“It’s not that somebody has a breakdown because they’re upset, this takes a lot out of you mentally, physically emotionally,” Dale said. “Backstage, that’s our sanctuary because it’s just a positive area, and then when something happens and goes wrong we’re there to lift each other up.”

Sometimes, Dale said, the contestants can feel childlike because they can’t even go to the restroom without an escort. Dale said out of the four years she has competed in this pageant, this year has had the most security. Someone is always there to keep the contestants safe and on schedule.

The show’s dancers are also around and help the contestants with any dance moves they aren’t quite getting right. Plus, the dressing room staff is there to stitch a hem or adjust a zipper for the girls when they have wardrobe malfunctions.

“It’s kind of like an emergency room, if something goes wrong, a team swoops in and gets it done,” Miss Southern Heartland Kristen Furr said.

The contestants really rave about the ladies backstage, calling them a blessing and said they make everything a lot less stressful when earrings break and shoes don’t fit.

“They set us up for success,” Furr said.

The experience is likened to being a family. Miss Dixie Kendall Pasley, a first-year contestant, was worried because she didn’t know what to expect and didn’t know many of the other contestants.

“Once I got here I was surprised in a great way,” Pasley said. “Everyone’s been really supportive. If you ask someone to help you, they’re looking out for you. The ladies backstage are all there to help you.”

Support isn’t just given by the volunteers backstage, but also by the contestants themselves. They offer each other assurance and sometimes hair-styling help to make sure everyone looks good before going out on stage, and when they come off stage they are welcomed with smiles and praise.

“Every time you walk off stage there are people there ready to greet you and tell you how great you did,” Furr said.

Some of the funnier backstage moments happen during the swimwear competition. The contestants laugh about watching each other workout while in their swimwear and then seeing each girl get sprayed with glue to keep the swimwear in place on stage. It can be a funny sight to witness.

The girls also divulge about the junk food they have available in the dressing room. Popcorn, Oreos, M&Ms, Starburst and donuts can be found waiting for the girls as they come off stage. After the swimwear competition, there is a mad dash to scoop up as many snacks as possible while still sporting their suits.

Dale said they are always cracking jokes while they hang out backstage; she said they especially like quoting SpongeBob Squarepants.

While backstage can be organized chaos, it can also be a calm place. Pasley was coloring before lunch on Friday. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere and everyone is comfortable with each other.

“Before each night we usually pray together so that helps,” Pasley said.

Furr said it’s where the bonds are made. There is no evil intent or backstabbing among the contestants.

“These are the most upstanding women in the state, there is none of that backstage,” Furr said.

“We’re all just trying to make sure that the best person is crowned Miss Mississippi and that we’re able to stand behind them.”