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Goth beauty pageants of the 1970s – Even ghosts and vampires deserve crowns.
When envisioning beauty pageants, images of glamorous women in elegant gowns typically come to mind. However, the pageant landscape briefly diverged from this standard in the 1970s. During this time, goth women who felt alienated by traditional pageantry had the opportunity to vie for titles like Miss American Vampire and Miss Ghost America.
The Birth of Miss American Vampire
In 1970, as the gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows” neared its conclusion, its spinoff film “House of Dark Shadows” was set to debut. To reignite interest in the series, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer launched an unconventional marketing campaign. Ads in newspapers nationwide called for regional beauty pageants targeting young women aged 18 to 25 with “vampire looks.” Contestants were evaluated on their interpretation of the vampire aesthetic, charm, poise, stage presence, and videogenic qualities for television. The grand prize was a trip to New York and a guest spot on “Dark Shadows,” with the final competition in California hosted by Regis Philbin.
Unique Challenges and Experiences
The pageants were not all fun and games. Nancy Barrett, who portrayed Carolyn on “Dark Shadows,” served as a judge at a New Jersey Miss American Vampire pageant. She recounted the experience in “The Dark Shadows Companion: 25th Anniversary Collection,” describing the event as initially amusing but quickly becoming distressing. Contestants varied widely in their presentations, from bikinis to elaborate witch or vampire costumes, adding a surreal and often unsettling element to the proceedings.
Crowning Miss American Vampire
Jonathan Frid, known for his role as Barnabas Collins, crowned Christine Domaniecki as Miss American Vampire in New Jersey. However, there was some controversy regarding the true winner. Before Domaniecki’s trip to New York, actress and activist Sacheen Littlefeather was named the final competition winner. The details of her involvement remain unclear, but Domaniecki ultimately appeared in episode 1126 of “Dark Shadows” and attended related conventions.
Sacheen Littlefeather later gained fame as Marlon Brando’s representative at the 1973 Academy Awards, where she declined his Oscar for “The Godfather” in protest of the treatment of Native Americans. She subsequently dedicated herself to activism, producing documentaries, and working with Native American civil rights organizations.
The Emergence of Miss Ghost America
The success of the Miss American Vampire pageant inspired another goth-themed competition the following year. With “Dark Shadows” concluded, producers sought “haunting beauties” for the Miss Ghost America pageant, offering a $250 savings bond and a spot on “The Dating Game” as prizes.
Although the turnout for Miss Ghost America was less impressive—suggesting there were more vampires than ghosts in 1970s America—the winner, 18-year-old Kate Sarchet, was crowned on the LA-based horror show “Fright Night.” Sarchet’s participation on “The Dating Game” led to an infamous story where her date, future writer Will Durst, was reportedly ghosted by her.
Conclusion
These goth pageants, including Miss American Vampire and Miss Ghost America, provided a unique platform for alternative beauty and creativity. They celebrated gothic culture in a way that resonated with many who felt marginalized by conventional pageantry, leaving a lasting impression on both participants and audiences.
