Maxim Cover Girl is a modeling competition platform where contestants rally their fans, supporters, and followers to vote, rise through rounds, and earn the chance to win money, prizes, and recognition. 💫
Those with the most votes in their groups move forward, gaining exposure, building their personal brand, and advancing toward a Maxim Cover Girl crown.
Absolutely. Every contestant must advance through the same public voting rounds to reach the interview and finals stages.
Joining later doesn’t put you at a disadvantage — everyone has the same opportunity to progress. Think of it like running the same race; some contestants just start on different days.
Groups are the models you compete against in a round. Think of it like a class in school. Within each school, there are many students in their senior year – and they are in many classes, however, each school will have one valedictorian (the student with the highest grades).
Rounds are like levels in a game. At the end of each round, all votes are counted and top-ranked contestants move forward.
You can use the “See Rounds” feature on your dashboard to view how your competition is structured.
Each competition follows a similar flow:
- Vote counts reset to 0 when new groups are formed (for fairness).
- Winners and runners-up advance based on placement.
- Some rounds include retries, wildcards, or comeback opportunities.
Example: In Round 1, you might compete against five other contestants. If you earn enough votes, you’ll move on to Round 2!
Sometimes yes, sometimes no!
- Same Group Example: In the "Top 20," "Top 15," and "Top 10" rounds, you stay with the same people. What’s actually happening is that the least active models are being eliminated in each round.
- Different Group Example: In the "Quarterfinals," "Semifinals," and "Finals," you meet new competitors in each round.
After each round ends:
- Winners move to the winners' round.
- Runner-ups (those who almost won) move to a runner-up round or sometimes stay in the same round for another chance at winning.
- Others move to a wildcard round for another chance or move back a round (or are eliminated).
Don’t give up — you might still have another shot!
Certain competitions include Wildcard Rounds, Runner-Up Rounds, or Extra Lives that let you fight your way back in.
Types of Public Votes
- Daily Votes: Each voter can cast one (1) daily vote per contestant per day.
- MAXIM NEXT Votes: Fans can purchase MAXIM NEXT Magazine issues that include additional votes.
- Votes purchased through your profile automatically go to you.
- Votes from other sources may allow the buyer to choose who receives them.
- Only individuals of legal age may purchase MAXIM NEXT issues.
- Votes purchased through your profile automatically go to you.
Votes and voters are verified for authenticity, and self-voting or paying others to vote is prohibited.
You can earn extra votes — called Award Votes or Prize Votes — through special challenges and promotions during the competition.
These may include:
- Winning special challenges such as the Hot Shot Challenge or Profile Potential Challenge
- Achieving top placement in a voting round or contest event
- Participating in sponsor activities or limited-time promotions
Depending on the promotion, these votes may apply to all your active voting rounds or to a specific round.
Extra Life
Earned through Extra Life Points (100 points = 1 Extra Life).
If you lose in an eligible round, an Extra Life automatically gives you another chance in a new group of the same round (not the final round).
Retry Badges
In competitions like Natural Beauty, Euro Summer, and Centerfold:
- A losing entry without a Retry Badge automatically earns one and retries the same round once in a new group.
- Retry Badges take precedence over Extra Lives (Extra Lives only apply if the retry also loses).
- You can hold only one Retry Badge per round.
Overtime
If the top spot changes hands in the last moments, Overtime may extend the round (typically 30 minutes, up to two hours in some competitions). Votes during Overtime can sometimes apply to both the ending and following rounds if schedules overlap.
Digital Mystery Prizes
Some competitions award Digital Mystery Prizes — bundles of Award Votes or Extra Life Points revealed after you win them.
Each competition offers its own prize structure.
Examples include:
- Hot Girl Summer Barbados:
- 12 levels of Winners and Runners-Up, each earning Digital Mystery Prizes.
- The Grand Prize winner becomes the official MAXIM Hot Girl Summer Barbados Champion and enjoys a Barbados photoshoot experience, submitting at least 25 photos and 10 videos for Maxim content features.
- MAXIM Big Game Weekend:
- Multi-section structure where top contestants advance through competitive groups toward the finals surrounding the Big Game celebration.
- MAXIM Workout Warrior:
- Fitness-themed competition with tiered “Workout” rounds leading to the finals.
- MAXIM Natural Beauty:
- Focused on effortless beauty and confidence. Features Retry Badge Rounds and comeback opportunities.
- MAXIM Euro Summer:
- Features Repeat Public Votes (returning fans double their votes) and Double Public Voting in the last 12 hours of each round.
- MAXIM Radiance:
- Celebrates women 40 and over.
- Includes Double MAXIM NEXT Votes and Double Public Voting in the final 12 hours of each round.
- MAXIM Centerfold:
- Features large “Top 20” groups (up to 100 contestants).
- Includes multiple phases, Retry Badge Rounds, and extended bracketed advancement.
All prizes are listed in U.S. dollars and must be accepted as awarded.
Taxes and travel or incidental costs are the winner’s responsibility unless otherwise specified.
Interviews:
If you advance to the interview stage, you’ll be contacted via text message by a competition coordinator. They may ask for your social handle to give you a shout-out before sending you a link to our interview calendar, where you can pick a time that works best for your online video interview.
Some interviews may be recorded as part of the finalist selection process.
Photoshoots:
Certain competitions include a professional photoshoot for finalists or winners.
- You must be available on the dates set by the Sponsor.
- Round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations are included as outlined in the Promotion Rules.
- If you can’t attend, your participation may be forfeited.
The Promotion Administrator may request proof of eligibility (e.g., government ID).
Entries or votes may be disqualified for:
- Incomplete or false information
- Tampering, bot use, or vote manipulation
- Self-voting or paying others to vote
- Inappropriate or disruptive conduct
- Failure to attend required interviews or photoshoots
Disqualified contestants may lose prizes or be removed from current and future contests.
By entering, you represent the Maxim brand. Contestants agree to:
- Follow all laws and treat others with respect
- Avoid harassment, profanity, excessive intoxication, or offensive content
- Maintain professionalism during any Maxim event or travel
- Refrain from disparaging Maxim, its partners, or other contestants
Violations can lead to immediate removal, disqualification, or forfeiture of prizes.
Each competition has its own registration period and progression schedule:
- Big Game Weekend: June 11 – Aug 31 2025
- Workout Warrior: July 2 – Sept 27 2025
- Natural Beauty: Aug 8 – Nov 14 2025
- Radiance: Aug 29 – Dec 4 2025
- Euro Summer: Sept 2 – Nov 24 2025
Centerfold: Sept 16 2025 – Feb 1 2026
Promote your voting link across your social media, group chats, and fan base.
- Post updates and thank voters
- Share stories, behind-the-scenes photos, and shout-outs
Encourage repeat participation — loyal fans make a huge difference
Talk to our interactive agent via the chat for immediate help OR contact our support team if you have more questions! Ask for an agent if your question is not initially being answered.