A Few Women Still Want to Be Beauty Queens in Brooklyn
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
Carroll Gardens today is all brunch spots and Canada Goose jackets. But back in 1969, the neighborhood was one big extended Italian family, with plenty of locals who hailed from a small fishing village in Puglia called Mola di Bari. The Molesi decided to host a beauty pageant — a common ritual among the towns in their homeland, and a way to bring a little bit of the old country into their shared brownstones. Forty-six years later, the Miss Mola USA pageant is still going.
The venue has changed, pushing farther and farther away from brownstone Brooklyn (like the Molesi-Americans themselves, who have since dispersed from Carroll Gardens to Bensonhurst and Staten Island and central Jersey). And the drama isn’t what it used to be, when there were 20 women seeking the trophy and as many as 600 guests; when there were rumors of fixed winners and tearful first runners-up spiking their bouquets in the street in protest. But the social club that hosts the evening, Van Westerhout Cittadini, is still based in Carroll Gardens, even though the event now takes place at El Caribe Country Club, all the way out in Mill Basin.
The contestants still buy their crystal-studded gowns at the same neighborhood boutiques where their mothers shopped, and 265 Molesi club members still come out to see them — a competition-cum-dinner-dance, where the girls are required to answer a single question before a panel of judges in between eating penne with red sauce and swinging to the tarantella. And even though only four entered the pageant this time around (the criteria is that you must be between 16 and 25 years old, and have at least one parent or grandparent born in Mola), the Generation-Z paesani that do show up have a fundamentalist devotion to the tradition.
Last year’s victor, in fact, drove in from college in Philadelphia — and missed a chance to see the pope — so that she could be there this past Sunday night, under the supermoon eclipse outside and crater-size chandeliers inside, to pass on her crown. The winner is tasked with appearing at social-club events throughout the year and, for some, keeping the bellezza della Mola alive in Brooklyn. Click through for big lashes, mermaid dresses, and a couple of mother-daughter duos representing Miss Mola past and present.
Pageant coach Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, a former Miss Mola and, later, Miss Delaware (seen in the mirror), preps the girls, who’ll each have to answer ...
Pageant coach Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, a former Miss Mola and, later, Miss Delaware (seen in the mirror), preps the girls, who’ll each have to answer one question before the judges (e.g., “What makes you proud to be a Molesi young woman, and why?”).
“I recommend saying thank you at the end of your answer because it shows confidence,” says Vincenza. “Even if you missed something in your answer or stumbled over your words, don’t worry about it — some of the judges may only speak broken English, and if you finish with a thank you, it makes them think, She did great!"
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
The contestants’ sashes. In the '70s, the Miss Mola sashes were handmade by cloistered nuns in Mola di Bari. (These days, they are purchased online.)
...
The contestants’ sashes. In the '70s, the Miss Mola sashes were handmade by cloistered nuns in Mola di Bari. (These days, they are purchased online.)
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
Filomena Marinelli, the emcee for the evening, helps the contestants pin their sashes.
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“I’m not a big makeup girl, but I need my lashes to look good. I use three different mascaras for my top lashes: first a coat of Maybelline Big Eyes, ...
“I’m not a big makeup girl, but I need my lashes to look good. I use three different mascaras for my top lashes: first a coat of Maybelline Big Eyes, then a coat of L’Oréal Voluminous, and then Maybelline Rocket Volume. You have to apply them one right after another because if you let them dry, they start to clump. And then Maybelline Big Eyes and L'Oréal Voluminous on my lower lashes. It’s a trick I learned messing around one day.” —Floriana Colonna, 18, Bergen Beach Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“Honestly, I love light colors on me. Summer just ended, so I kind of still have my tan. And what I love about the dress was this peplum detail. I’m n...
“Honestly, I love light colors on me. Summer just ended, so I kind of still have my tan. And what I love about the dress was this peplum detail. I’m not a tall, skinny model type, so I like to wear things that show off my curves. And I wanted to bring out my natural features with my makeup, too. I got it done at this place called House of Trends, in Staten Island, and they highlighted the inner corners of my eyes and my upper cheekbones. Contouring makes you look very sculpted, like a Greek statue.” —Josellina Nardulli, 18, Staten Island
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“I did the pageant last year and decided at the last minute to do it again this year. I ran to the store at 7 p.m. and got this dress, which is Jovani...
“I did the pageant last year and decided at the last minute to do it again this year. I ran to the store at 7 p.m. and got this dress, which is Jovani — I noticed that Sabrina [last year’s winner] is also wearing a Jovani dress. I love Jovani dresses. I love the way they shape your body without being skin-skintight. It’s simple, but the mermaid flare at the bottom makes a statement. And there’s a lady in the neighborhood, like two blocks away, who came to my house and did my hair. I texted her at 10 p.m.: ‘Need to do my hair tomorrow.’ The same thing with the makeup lady — she also lives in the neighborhood.
“I’m the youngest one here. It’s hard to explain to the kids at my high school what this is. They’re like, 'You’re in a beauty pageant?' But standing up there in front of the judges is great preparation; you have to force yourself to not be shy, and it makes you feel a lot less nervous about participating in class.” —Kristen Pendergast , 17, Dyker Heights
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“I’ve been competing since I was 18. You can start as young as 16, but I didn’t feel ready because I was very overweight; I wasn’t comfortable in my o...
“I’ve been competing since I was 18. You can start as young as 16, but I didn’t feel ready because I was very overweight; I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin. Looking back, I wish I would’ve done it then, though, because it would’ve boosted my confidence. The pageant makes you feel like everyone is beautiful. And that’s why I hope this tradition keeps going — because kids today, they say, ‘I have to be skinny. I have to look like this girl or that girl.’ No, you don’t. You have to be yourself.” —Adriana Bennici, 25, Staten Island
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“My mom went to FIT and worked as a fashion designer for a while, but then she had me and my sisters, so she stopped. But she definitely influences my...
“My mom went to FIT and worked as a fashion designer for a while, but then she had me and my sisters, so she stopped. But she definitely influences my style. She likes flashy, but not trashy.” —Josellina Liegi, 18, Staten Island ("but I was born in Bensonhurst and I still like to tell people I'm from Brooklyn")
“Back when I won I was living in Bensonhurst, and the pageant was held in the neighborhood, at the [now-closed] Cotillion Terrace. I wore a black-organza skirt with a ruffled white-organza off-the-shoulder blouse. I always tell my daughters, ‘Look for clothes that show personality. A woman can be sexy without being naked.’ I try to raise my children the same way I was raised, but in a much more diverse world.” —Antoinetta Liegi, 48, Staten Island (Josellina’s mother, and Miss Mola 1981–1982) Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“You will be judged on your appearance, posture, personality, ambition, and overall performance,” Filomena tells the contestants.
Photo: Rebecca Gree...
“You will be judged on your appearance, posture, personality, ambition, and overall performance,” Filomena tells the contestants.
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“Growing up, I would always see the picture of my mother winning Miss Mola at my nonna’s house. And I always wanted to win one day, just like her. My ...
“Growing up, I would always see the picture of my mother winning Miss Mola at my nonna’s house. And I always wanted to win one day, just like her. My mom takes all these pictures of me at the pageant so she can post them on Facebook for our family back in Mola. They don’t always understand the pictures, though — she posted my prom pictures, and the family was commenting, ‘Congratulations!’ because they thought I was getting married. I wouldn’t miss this. This generation needs to be more family-oriented like the earlier generations.” —Sabrina Schielein, 19, Princeton, New Jersey (last year’s Miss Mola)
“Sabrina came here all the way from college in Philadelphia. The pope was there — he blessed a statue at her school. She could’ve seen the pope! We got her dress on the same block in Bensonhurst where I got my dress when I won Miss Mola. Mine was a white halter with rhinestones going up the neck. We don’t live in Bensonhurst anymore — we moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where there’s nothing but a Macy’s and a Lord and Taylor, so we come back to Brooklyn to shop.” —Antoinette D’Alessandro-Schielein, 54, Princeton, New Jersey (Miss Mola 1976–1977, Sabrina’s mother) Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
Sabrina grabs the mic from the Gio Venuto band, some of whose original members have played the Miss Mola pageant since the 1970s.
Photo: Rebecca Gree...
Sabrina grabs the mic from the Gio Venuto band, some of whose original members have played the Miss Mola pageant since the 1970s.
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“I didn’t have the pasta tonight because I didn’t want to spill anything on my dress,” says Florianna, eating tiramisu with the other girls.
Photo: R...
“I didn’t have the pasta tonight because I didn’t want to spill anything on my dress,” says Florianna, eating tiramisu with the other girls.
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
The winner gets $2,000 and has the responsibility of making appearances throughout the year at events held by the Van Westerhout Cittadini club. Each ...
The winner gets $2,000 and has the responsibility of making appearances throughout the year at events held by the Van Westerhout Cittadini club. Each contestant takes home a cash prize and a Pandora bracelet.
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“I love shiny things. I bought these earrings for my sweet 16. I love how they sparkle and stand out because the dress is kind of simple. Miss Mola is...
“I love shiny things. I bought these earrings for my sweet 16. I love how they sparkle and stand out because the dress is kind of simple. Miss Mola is similar to a sweet 16 — all the attention is on you.” —Kristen Pendergast
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
Sabrina, ready to pass on her crown.
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
Each contestant has a walker, usually a family member, except for Adriana [front], whose escort was arranged by her aunt. “I had never met him before,...
Each contestant has a walker, usually a family member, except for Adriana [front], whose escort was arranged by her aunt. “I had never met him before, but my aunt was like, ‘I have the perfect guy for you,’ and he offered to walk me in."
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
"He said something to make me laugh right beforehand, so I was a lot less nervous. And I am single, so you never know. In this community, some wa...
"He said something to make me laugh right beforehand, so I was a lot less nervous. And I am single, so you never know. In this community, some way, somehow, I’m going to see him again.”
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
In answer to the question, “Who is your role model?” Josellina said her nonna. She went on to win first runner-up.
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
Florianna and her escort/brother, Marco.
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“My father is half Irish,” says Kristen Pendergast. “Only my mother is from Mola. When you have both parents from Mola, the parents get very involved ...
“My father is half Irish,” says Kristen Pendergast. “Only my mother is from Mola. When you have both parents from Mola, the parents get very involved — ’That’s my daughter, that’s my daughter.’”
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“I didn’t expect to get so emotional, but I told my nonna I competed for her. Because I did. She inspires everything I do. Ever since I was little, my...
“I didn’t expect to get so emotional, but I told my nonna I competed for her. Because I did. She inspires everything I do. Ever since I was little, my nonna was my best friend.” —Josellina, with her grandmother
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“It was a night out for them, watching me compete. I called them my team — we wrote #teamjosellina on social media! A little selfish, but I just ...
“It was a night out for them, watching me compete. I called them my team — we wrote #teamjosellina on social media! A little selfish, but I just wanted to have that moment.” —Josellina, with her cousins and her sister
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
Sabrina dancing the tarantella with Anna Nicole Deliso, Miss Mola 2011–2012. “I met her through this pageant and we’ve become like family,” says Sabri...
Sabrina dancing the tarantella with Anna Nicole Deliso, Miss Mola 2011–2012. “I met her through this pageant and we’ve become like family,” says Sabrina.
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
Sabrina with her cousin John Frank DiSilvio, a member of a new social club called Figli del Sud (Children of the South), aimed at engaging the younger...
Sabrina with her cousin John Frank DiSilvio, a member of a new social club called Figli del Sud (Children of the South), aimed at engaging the younger generations of Italian-Americans. “He spun me around till my crown fell off!"
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“My aunt was Miss Mola, and I kept her trophy in my room growing up and said, ‘One day I’m gonna win that trophy.’ Even though I only won Miss Persona...
“My aunt was Miss Mola, and I kept her trophy in my room growing up and said, ‘One day I’m gonna win that trophy.’ Even though I only won Miss Personality, it seems fitting. I’m very outgoing.” —Adriana
*This quote was originally mistakenly attributed to Josellina. Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
“Last year my mom got into an argument with the table next to us because she heard them whispering about the fact that my last name was German. That’s...
“Last year my mom got into an argument with the table next to us because she heard them whispering about the fact that my last name was German. That’s why I’ll have to marry someone with an Italian last name.” —Sabrina
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
Kristen walks away a winner.
“I’ve watched how it goes down at other pageants: The girls that don’t win will look at the winner with a fake smile, th...
Kristen walks away a winner.
“I’ve watched how it goes down at other pageants: The girls that don’t win will look at the winner with a fake smile, then turn around and be straight-faced. But I feel like these girls were really genuinely happy for me.”
Photo: Rebecca Greenfield
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