A relative has competed in a few and won one. I haven't really asked too much about it apart from to wish her luck/hope you do well etc. She is 18 and loves doing it, it has done wonders for her confidence as she has a disability which meant she was quite shy growing up. She does some modelling and sees it as a way to further herself in that area as well.
What is it really all about though? What do they actually do on stage on the night of competitions? I know she does a lot of work raising money for charity during the year. I don't want to ask because I know I'll say something which might come across rude.
What's the point of the swimwear round? (I didn't think they actually still did swimwear rounds, makes me 
) Or the evening dress round? Are the dresses and swimsuits being judged (Does each girl only wear stuff from one shop/designer?) or is it just the girls being judged on looks?
What other rounds are there apart from ones judging how they look? I've read quite a lot (from girls who compete in them and elsewhere) about how it's not all about that and how they do so much more. So what else is it actually about?