Megan Pintell, known as Magnolia Megan to her 200,000+ Instagram followers, explores NC in search of unique food and experiences. Her next adventure: Competing for Miss North Carolina USA.
“As Miss North Carolina USA, I’d be able to do basically what I’m doing now but with a sparkly hat,” Pintell told RALtoday.
Pintell previously competed in a Miss Ohio USA pageant while in college and is going for the crown once again. As an influencer traveling NC, Pintell said she feels uniquely positioned for the responsibilities of Miss NC USA. Pintell encourages folks to get out in their city + NC to support local businesses and try new experiences and events with your family and friends.
“It’s really a lot of the things that I represent on social media.” Pintell said. “There’s so much to do. I feel like people need to be reminded of that, so that’s what I try to do.”
Due to her experience as an influencer, Pintell said she feels prepared to compete again in the pageant world.
“It’s really helped me be able to open up and be myself and put myself out there on social media, which is a hard thing to do at first,” Pintell said. “In pageantry, you have to be relatable, you have to understand who you are and what you stand for.”
If Pintell takes home the crown, she’ll go on to compete for the title of Miss USA — but she has big plans even if she goes home without the “sparkly hat.”
“Whether I win or not, I really want to continue traveling across North Carolina,” Pintell said. “I have a goal to visit all 100 counties and find something unique within each of those counties.”
Pintell will compete as Miss Capital City at Miss North Carolina USA this weekend in North Charleston, South Carolina — watch a livestream of the event online to cheer on Raleigh’s own.
