A competitor can't take this stuff so seriously. It's a male beauty pageant. You use your exposure to gain money making opportunities, and have fun if you enjoy competing. That's it.
Sometimes you see competitors getting all emotional, ,trading barbs, and in the end, that's not the way to go. You end up looking bad, and the company jacks are going to come together and bash you. Do the show, use your mag coverage to get sponsorships, a sweet PT gig, a modeling deal, or whatever else interests you. Depending upon the opinion of a group of judges to pay your mortgage is a dangerous game. Find 2 or 3 more avenues of income, and compete in bodybuilding because you love the sport.