Baby Modeling and Beauty Pageants
Play Instead Of Display
Everyone's baby is beautiful. Yours too. My suggestion? Don't disPLAY her. PLAY with her!By Dell
I agree with Dell! Don't put your child through the stress, cost and potentially psychologically damaging process. She won't care if everyone else thinks she is gorgeous, the only thing they care about is that her parents love and adore her. Spend the time and save yourself the money (put it in an education fund) and take her to a playgroup or maybe swimming lessons, where she can be a child not a polished ornament!
By bronwyn
Not Worth The Money
When my daughter was six, I entered her in a pageant. A friend loaned me a white pageant dress and she looked beautiful. She did win two trophies for BEST SPORTSWEAR and Prettiest Smile, but believe me, I spent way too much for those cheap little trophies and she really didn't enjoy it that much anyway. I think Moms are who REALLY get into the pageant thing. She's a gorgeous 19 year old now but you couldn't PAY her to get into a pageant. You have a beautiful baby. Enjoy her now, life passes too quickly.By Sharon, KY
Expensive And Too Much Makeup
I am taking my one-year old to a pageant in November, her pageant fees were paid when she won a baby photo contest. Really, I think I am just doing the pageant for me. Beyond the pageant in November, however, participating in any further pageants would just be too expensive! I also know they (judges) expect the contestants to wear a ridiculous amount of cosmetics. Even the toddlers! That's not for my baby girl!New Star Discovery Pageant
Hey, guys. My daughter Brooklyn was the current Miss Kentucky and Tennessee for 8-14 months for New Star Discovery. Pageants don't have to be all about competition. They are about having fun and meeting new people. Brooklyn was crowned on Sunday, May 29th 2005! New Star Discovery has NO MAKEUP and goes until age 6. They are very strict and just want to have some fun. So, if you're interested in doing pageants, do them to have fun and find ones with NO MAKEUP. I love New Star Discovery! And by the way, just because your child is in a baby pageant, they are not a polished ornament. And pageants are about fun!By Jennifer
Do It For The Fun
I just started with the pageant thing. My daughter has gotten 2 First Runner-Up and Prettiest Eyes. I do it cause it's fun and she can win savings bonds and stuff. The trophies and crowns will be something fun she can look back onto. She enjoys it because she meets other toddlers (she's 18 months) and she likes the attention. I am not totally crazy about it, though. I'm not the pageant mom/freak. I refuse to spend more than $30 on a dress and she wears no make up. She's going to Internationals in Atlanta this August. It's an excuse to get out and travel, too. It's fun for us and Sunburst USA are really good about it all. They don't allow make up on the babies at all. Not even to cover scratches. It's all about natural beauty and it will make a difference later on. I hate the fact that I only have 2 trophies at my parents house. Everything I got was in the form of plaques. My brother has tons of trophies. She now has more than me and my hubby combined. If she ever wants to stop, I'll let herBy 'kiesha
Enjoy Your Child's Unique Wonderfulness
This is up to you but all babies and children have a wonderfulness about them and when you put that on stage, it's NOT so sweet and wonderful anymore. Remember the laugh that no one made her do, she just did it. It was her! Please think about it before you take the "natural" out of her beauty.By mimi
Sunburst, Sponsors And NO Makeup
2004-2005 was my daughter's first year doing pageants (she is 2 now). We do the Sunburst USA Pageants and you can tell she likes it a lot. She can't wait to get on stage and she loves dressing in the beautiful outfits. I don't put make-up on her or hair pieces. We have sponsors who help pay for the pageants. If you decide to put you baby in a pageant, find one that does not allow make-up.I would suggest Sunburst, it is a very good baby contest they have been around, going on their 27 anniversary. Preliminaries are starting up again. If you get onto http://www.sunburstbeauty.com, they can give you times, places and cost, and they can give you other info about it. Sunburst also has an activity after the main part of the pageant for your kids. At Internationals in Atlanta, there was a puppet show for the young kids. I know that they are all over the place. At Internationals, there were people there from California to Texas and New York, just all over. Hope you give Sunburst a try. My daughter has tons of fun. Also, there are modeling agencies there to find baby models. You do have to start out at preliminaries and work your way up to Internationals.
By Jessica, MO
Try Local Pageants Instead of Sunburst
Sunburst is not the place to start, they are a rip off and they're not even about modeling. At the Internationals in Atlanta, they only had about 10 seconds on stage. You can't judge a kid in that amount of time. There were 75 girls in my daughter's age group. That is awful, I will never ever waste my money, time or energy in Sunburst again. You would be better off at simple local pageants. My daughter currently hold the title for America's Most Beautiful Girls. They are in NC and SC. I recommend them if you're in that area.By jenn
Worries About Sunburst Rules And Judging
I would just like to comment on the Sunburst pageant. I have just returned from Atlanta and, just like last year, those who go against the rules win. The past two years that I've put my daughter in, girls with the caked on makeup and hairpieces took it all. They say "Babies don't need makeup on, they are babies. We don't want them to look like clowns." And what do the judges do? Pick the total opposite! Also, when you are told to wear a black leotard and tights and then the girls in black pants or leather take first place once again. Either everybody should follow the rules or don't tell us what to put on them. It seems the parents that don't want to go through the trouble looking for the required outfit puts on what they want and the judges pick that child. Most the winners are the ones that get their hair and makeup done right there at the hotel for a flat fee. I may continue to do Sunburst, not sure about International anymore. But if I do, I guess I will be the one going against the rules and paying someone to doll my child up. But then again, my daughter doesn't need it and why should I want to. My daughter has been doing only this pageant for about a year and a half and absolutely loves it. But I am trying to find less glitzy with less snooty parents and a pageant that teaches good values and gives the children good self esteem issues.By Debbie
Comparison Of New Star Discoveries And Sunburst
My daughters (2 and 8 months) competed in both New Star Discoveries and Sunburst pageants this year. They placed in both categories. I liked that Sunburst gave everyone trophies even just for participating but I don't like the makeup and I found a lot of inconsistencies. The children who won the photo contest had pictures like Glamour Shots and frankly looked silly. New Star allowed NO makeup and it was more friendly and less stressful (and cheaper) but the judging was done by a woman, her daughter and another young lady and I did not feel that the 2 girls were qualified to be judging, even though my daughter did win Prettiest Eyes, Most Beautiful Baby and Overall Competition. So I am not just saying that because I didn't win. I can go to State in either and I am going with New Star. Ladies PLEASE, when your children starts getting stressed or cries over the pageant, it is time to quit. It is not worth the broken heart.By Cheap Pageant Mom
Consider It A Hobby
I can't say much about pageants, however my son did modeling when he was younger. We were approached by an advertising agency and things went from there. We did end up retaining an agent for him out of Chicago and she did an awesome job, however he did not land any shots through them.The agency that approached us had him audition for quite a few things. He did end up advertising for John Deere, Ertl toys, Penford foods on a trade show flyer as well as an 8 foot lightboard. He also was on the box for Thomas the Train plus several other companies.
He did enjoy it, however he was about 5 1/2 years old when he told my husband and I that he didn't want to model anymore. We talked to him then notified his agent that we didn't want his headshots sent out at this time. He is now 16 years old and, when asked if he ever wished he would have continued, without hesitation he says no. He enjoys being a kid and not having to wake up at 4:00 AM to travel to an audition as well as the uncertainty of plans for the weekend.
We never paid any money except traveling expenses and we looked at it as a hobby, not a career for our son. Please beware of forcing your child into doing something they don't want to do. I agree with Cheap Pageant Mom, if your child doesn't want to do it or is upset about it, stop doing it immediately and enjoy the time while your children are small.
By CRMom
Suggestions For Atlanta Nationals
Just came back from Atlanta, Nationals, loved it! But I do have a few suggestions: Require the same dress codes for everyone, boys or girls, and be more specific to help parents dress children appropriately. The pageant should be moved to a more family friendly location, little to do if we wanted to stay longer in Atlanta. The pageant needs to set up a entry line to the pageant for the kids to enter, it was scary for my 3 and 5 year old with all the pushing of parents to get the kids in line up on time, everyone for themself attitude.Modeling Is Different From Pageants
My daughter was in a pageant (her first and probably only) over the weekend. She just turned a year and has been modeling for about a month. They are in no way the same, and it isn't necessary to pageant in order to model. I suggest approaching local agencies if modeling is what you are really looking for.So far, in the last month she has done shoots for The Picture People and Red Envelope's spring catalog. Right now she is up for Macy's Spring Catalog. She has also fit modeled for Pottery Barn Kids.
She loves it! It's like she is paid to be in a play group. There are kids there and a "teacher" and they are encouraged to play and have fun. Plus, she gets to add quite a bit of money into her savings.
Good Luck.
By Denise
The Dangers Of Pageants
The pageants are for parents/grandparents. They have the need, not the child. The child wants to be with their family, eating, sleeping, playing and not with a crowd of strangers. Besides parents, relatives and friends, do you know who else goes to these things? Pedophiles. It is your open invitation to pedophiles to find out who your agent is; what district you live in; where your child models, dances, etc.; everything about your child; and to follow you home.By Anonymous
It's Fun But For The Parents
I get very tired of people knocking pageants. Pageants can be a lot of fun, it depends on the attitude of the parents. If the mom or whoever can go and have fun and does not over do on make-up and hair, it's OK. I do not think the make-up needs to be extreme but, remember, they are on a stage with different types of lighting. If they are in a "pageant dress, a bit of make-up is needed. You don't wear fancy clothes without doing something to yourself. Also little girls have fun with a little make-up. Babies do not need hair and make-up. The glamor type photos are not OK. All this said, just remember everything people do with children is for the parents. Case in point: football, soccer, cheerleading, and on and on.By Rita
Pageants Are A Good Source Of Competition
Why do people assume that if you have a child in a pageant, you don't play with her? Why do people assume that pedophiles only hang out at pageants? They are everywhere and you have to use common sense. Also, according to some posters, don't put your child in sports - you may become a soccer mom. Don't put them in spelling bees or math competitions -- they may get a complex, if they are intelligent. There is a reason kids in foreign countries are kicking our butts academically. Heaven forbid our kids do any competition, someone may win and then the others will feel badly. Good luck to those who chose to do the pageant. Best wishes to you.By Deborah
Pageants Shouldn't Have Fake Hair And Makeup
I have had my daughter in a lot of pageants in the past and never once have I had to put make up or fake hair. I personally think, with no disrespect to any one, that it will make the child feel that they are not perfect and why do they have to cover up their teeth, put makeup on and change their hair? In the long run, it will just cause low self esteem in the child to be perfect! Maybe the parent has their own issues about the way they look and use the child to fulfill their own dreams. I don't know, that's just my opinion. I have seen on TV, including the Tyra Banks show, if they want your money, it's a fake! Again no disrespect to any one! Every one has their own mind and is allowed to put their own child in whatever they want.By Heather, KY
Advice From Practiced Pageant Mom
I and my daughter "fell" into pageants by receiving a letter in the mail. After sending a photo and being accepted, she was on her way. She was 14 months old and won First Place out of 50! What a surprise! Best of all, we discovered how much she loved the stage, the action, camera lights. Now she soon will be 11 years old and pageants are still her thing. Not once in all those years (we averaged 2-3 a year), did I ever make her go, nor did she ever say she didn't want to go. She now holds many titles from her 30+ pageants, including a Supreme state title at 3 years old. Her goal is Miss Teen NY, Miss NY and eventually miss USA. She is a well rounded student and loves chorus and drama and would like to be a fashion designer. I believe pageants have helped shape her into the girl she is and not once did she ever have a "glitzy" dress, caked make-up, fake teeth or hair. All her dresses were from the mall. I support natural pageants! Good luck to all!By Tracy
Positive Sunburst Experience
My experience with Sunburst has been very positive. My son won a state title last year and placed in the top ten at Internationals. The girls have a lot more competition that the boys. My son loves being on stage and just smiles and laughs up there. It has really been a positive influence on him. He is a lot more confident about himself than other children his age.By Rosanna
Pageants An Important Part Of Her Childhood
I am 22 and use to be in pageants, I held many titles, and I was the one begging my parents to put me in more. I loved it. Now I have a gorgeous 5 month old, and I will put her in pageants, and if one day she says "Mom I don't want to do this anymore!", I will not make her. It gave me high self-esteem, and I had money for college, so I didn't have too much of a burden. I know all people have their opinions, but no one should put pageants down unless they have done them or know agreat deal about them besides the makeup and fake hair. The most recent pageant I entered my daughter in was either glitzy or natural, and many are like that these days. So any parents contemplating, it is completely your decision. You will never know unless you give it a try.By Amber
Just Make Sure It Is Fun
I just wanted to comment on a lot of what other parents are saying. They are correct, pageants are supposed to be fun! My daughter is going to State Finals in Syracuse/Liverpool NY and is looking forward to all of this. She is 4. She had won runner up at one of the local malls to where Sunburst was and received the fee paid to the State Finals. I can control myself and I know it is hard for some of the parents out there to do so but who is this actually for? Us or the kids? I feel the kids should have fun and nobody (Parent or Grandparent) need to get upset if they don't win. Let the kids have fun.By Amy
Sunburst State Finals Is Totally Glitzy
Horrible experience at the State Finals in Orlando, FL. They do not want natural beauty. They wanted totally glitzy. Children between the ages of 3 and 6 wearing fake lashes, wigs, hair pieces and plenty of make-up. Thank God my daughter was a great sport.By EJ
Sunburst In 1999 Was Not Glitzy
I was in a Sunburst beauty pageant in 1999, and I won. I was just wearing the dress I wore for my first communion, which wasn't all that fancy, just a plain white dress that puffed out a little at the bottom, with a few white silk roses on it. My hair for the pageant was just up in a half-ponytail with a white flower pin in it, and I just wore lipgloss. To me, the girl who beat out like 25 other glitzy-looking girls, it seems like this is more of a natural pageant. But hey, that was in 1999, I don't know about the closer past, but I am preparing to enter another Sunburst pageant, so I will update y'all on it a little later.By Aly
Our Little Miss Pageant
If you want a truly natural pageant system, try Our Little Miss. Nothing fake or false allowed, very low key clothing, little to no rhinestones. They want "real children!" Current world Baby Petite winner was a non-walker!By OLM Fan
Expensive Entrance Fees
My daughter Milan Lee has entered Sunburst when she was only 8 months old. I have discovered that in order to win this pageants, you have to pay an outrageous fee. It was $40 dollars for entering and extra (not quite sure) $25 more for Best Eyes, plus Best whatever. So the more you spend the more chances for your kids to win. Money talks when it comes to this events. Don't get me wrong I don't mind spending a little but, if the beauty pageants is really legit it shouldn't cost too much, an entrance fee is reasonable.By liezle
Natural Look Is Out
I have had my daughter in pageants since the age of 2 months old. I have really nothing bad to say about the pageants, but do want to stress that they don't want the natural look any more. I'm one that does not put make up on my "little" girl. She's 6 now, and has always placed at the pageants. It seems that its the little girls with the big fluffy dresses and pounds of make up on that win. How can they judge beauty with all of that on their faces? My daughter enjoys them, and I like the fact that the pageants that I sign her up for give trophies to each contestant, no matter what. They should have more natural pageants out there that judge on beauty only. No make up allowed.By Jo
New Star Discovery Pageants Are Not Glitzy
I have entered my daughter into New Star Discovery "Most Beautiful Baby" contests since she was 5 months old. She has won each time she competed at regionals. At IL state she won her age division & Overall highpoint awards with a $2500 prize. She place VERY high at Nationals, despite bad teething! I would recommend New Star to anyone wanting to start out in the pageant/modeling field. They are all natural, NO make-up or huge props allowed. They give away a ton of money and prizes every year. The only thing I would suggest is staying away from the photographer that they suggest/give away "photo shoots" with. This isn't a real photo shoot, you don't get anything more than an 8X10 of tiny pictures. In our experience, we had better results with our personal photographer who knew our daughter. Plus, they kind of trick you when it comes to purchasing, but, that isn't my place to say. http://www.newstardiscovery.com We have so much fun, and so does my daughter. This will be our second year with them! Try it, it really is great!By Winner's Mommy
Weblink For Georgia Pageants
I just entered my daughter in her first pageant and I am so excited! This might help some one who lives in Georgia but maybe you could do a similar search for your state. This is a complete list of all the listed GA pageants and if we like this one, we are going to make our way down the list! http://www.brittanysbeauties.com/Upcoming%20Pageants.htmBy jessica
Royalty Productions In Kentucky
I have Royalty Productions in Northern KY. Our pageants are not expensive. Call us at (859)689-0580 or check our website:By Pamela
Pageants Teach Confidence And Can Turn Into Modeling
My daughter has been doing pageants since she was 7 months old, she is about to turn 5. She loves pageants and so do I. We love the meeting new friends and traveling out of state. We do both glitzy and natural pageants. My daughter was scouted at a glitzy pageant by a modeling scout and now has a agent and does photo shoots for nationwide products. Pageants have given her confidence and the ability to adjust to many different scenarios as well as meet interesting people. I am not living through her as some negative people may think because I also did pageants til I was 18. I want her to be happy and she is. If you want to do this sort of activity, you have to do it all the way and with a open mind. Every child is beautiful, but let's face it, some just don't work out on stage.By Jeri
Don't Use Make Up On Small Children
Hi to all you wonderful mom, I have put my little girl Izabela in 6 pageants since she was 6 months old. She is now 2 and loves the spotlight. I do not agree with putting make up on the babies or the tots. Their god given beauty is what the judges should be looking for in this age group. Just have fun with your girls and always let them know "they will always be your little stars."By Casey
Look For Sponsors
I think if you want her to enter one, you should. Pageants are expensive, the sure way to get your entries paid for is sponsors. You will hear a lot of that word. What it is, basically is you going around to your local businesses, family members friends, etc. and asking for a sponsor donation to off set the cost of entering in whatever beauty pageant you want to enter. i would say start local as the big ones can be stressful even for experienced pageant winners. I am myself a beginner mom, however I have done a couple of pageants way back when so the cat and mouse game is the same.Be confident, be fearless go beg. I hope this helps you. Just a hint, natural look for babies and little ones, make up doesn't do them justice. Oh yeah, have fun. Pressure is no fun, personality walks, and personality talks. Let her do what she is going to do, it won't be any fun for her if you don't. Sometimes crying on stage wins too, so keep it in perspective, kids are kids. . . let them be kids. Have fun and good luck to you.
By Angel
If Your Child Is Excited, Go For It
I think if your kid is happy and excited to do it then do it! My daughter loves being in the spotlight and thinks shes a lil model already!By Sophia
Don't Get Caught In The Trap
Do not do it if you want to save money. We were approached by an agency at a parenting expo, and went for a personal interview with our daughter. Then they referred us to a photographer who, for the minor fee of $500.00, would make a portfolio. It was clearly a scam feeding off of the emotions of parents. We all believe our kids are beautiful, gifted and above average. Don't get caught in the trap.By George
Wait Until They Are Teenagers
It is sad that little babies are forced to do pageants when that puts a lot of pressure on them. When they lose, it hurts them and they get mad. When they win, they get big headed and they brag. I feel that if they do pageants, they should at least be in their teens. I myself have been in a couple. I won first place in every one but I knew how to control my attitude. That did not mean I was better than anyone else, it just meant that I was reasonable.I feel that no one under the age of 14 should be allowed to be in pageants. That is just my opinion so there it is, i finally got it off my chest!By Miesha
Reasons Why Not To Enter Pageants
Ask yourself why you want to display your child instead of letting her grow up as a child without those kinds of pressures to be beautiful, by standards set forth by the people in the world who think beauty is external. All babies are beautiful. Then consider all of the child sexual predators out there who prey on children. Patsy Ramsey said she would have never placed Jon Benet into pageants had she known about the great risk.Why expose your kid to that? You baby isn't a doll to dress up and expose to the public. I think child pageants are horrible for children. A child's job is to play and grow and learn and be loved, and that's about it. If you're looking for your child to model to make money for you, then you ought to go out and get a job yourself, not make your kid work for you! Plus, just look at what you're doing. Posting photos of your babies on the internet.
By Guest
Miss Dazzling Diamond Pageant
Check out http://www.freewebs.com/missdazzlingdiamond that is an online pageant for those just getting their feet wet. It might be a good fit for you. thanks ;-)By Barbara
Your Baby Is Beautiful Just The Way She Is
Your child deserves to have a normal life without being told whether she is good enough to win a stupid pageant. Think about your baby! Your baby is beautiful just the way she is, she doesn't need to be displayed to the whole world!By jemima
Modeling Is Better Than Pageants
My daughter is 1 and has modeled for both Boppy and Eddie Bauer and nothing satisfies me more then seeing her ads in the store. I wouldn't do pageants due to the cost and the fakeness but there is nothing wrong with baby modeling. Just know there are a lot of agencies out there that will charge an arm and a leg. I paid $100.00, that's it. She has made it up in the ads she has done and more. Just be careful and look out for the baby's interest. If she or he doesn't like it, don't pressure them. You'll know cause they'll cry and be quite fussy. GOOD LUCKBy Niki
Wait Until They Are Old Enough To Decide For Themselves
First of all, I'm speaking as a mother, stepmother, grandma, step-grandma and step-great grandma. ALL babies are BEAUTIFUL. My own opinion is that just because the parents would like to enter them into a pageant or modeling, I (and as I stated, my opinion..to each his own) don't agree with it!Why not? Just wait until these children are old enough to decide for themselves if this is something that they would like to do? Yes, I know if everyone shared my opinion, there would be no babies on ads, in parenting magazines, etc. If you want to enter them in something, how about just a beautiful baby contest like Walmart has at times where you "donate" money into the jar with their picture and the proceeds all go to a charity organization?
I'm Skeptical
I'm skeptical of these contests. There was one in Texas lately and I swear that the person winning was the one selling the most space in some catalog (that sponsored the pageant). I think that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some of these babies were not 'pretty/handsome' at all (on the contrary).Is this a scam? How do the pageant operators make their monies? Hummmmm.......
By Bedson
Get Your Child On Stage With A Theater Group
If your daughter loves the stage, look for a children's theater group. In my area, there is one called The Growing Stage but not sure if it is nationwide or just east coast. My opinion, I think theater experience is great for children who enjoy it. I think pageants are money makers for those who run them (nothing else) and modeling is very intense. With modeling, there is also the issue that some children start young and "outgrow" the "look" and then don't understand why they are not chosen any longer. As other readers said, let the kids be kids and then make their own decision when they are in their teens. My daughter was called by a modeling agency to do an ad, but I turned it down. She was 5 at the time....now 29. I never regretted not doing it.What Is Wrong With Natural Beauty
I personally think that it is a shame the way that all these mothers dress there kids up like fake Barbie dolls! The make up, the hair extensions, fake eye brows, you name it, they do it! I think pageants are ok, don't get me wrong but what is wrong with natural beauty? I would have my daughter in pageants if it was based on natural beauty. What type of message are you sending your child when you dress her up in all that stuff? That she's not good enough unless she looks like that? It's fake! and I don't feel that the kids get a good message from it!By amandaztheone
Know Your Reasons For Entering These Contests
I think that as long as you have good moral reasons for wanting your child to model, not just for the money, then put your child in modeling and pageants. Some parents go too far in these pageants by putting a lot of pressure on their kids, even to the point that they punish them for not winning. I would not mind putting my Gabby in either modeling or a pageant, just for fun. But also remember to spend time with your child and not let these competitions get in the way.By grande446
Good Self-Esteem Boost And Can Lead Into Modeling
Pageants are the best way to get her started with modeling. Most people do not realize that you do not have to be a pageant mom or make your daughter look like Jon Benet to be in pageants. My daughters only do natural pageants and I have just joined a pageant system as the SC state director that does both natural and glitz pageants. There is absolutely nothing wrong with making your daughter feel beautiful and pageants are good self esteem boosters whether she wins or not! It all depends on how you handle it. Even if my girls do not win the crown, they go home knowing that they are beautiful because we make such a big fuss over them. As far as putting the money in an education fund, most pageants offer savings bonds for their education. Anyone who says that pageants are wrong do not know enough about them these days to have an opinion.Up To The Mommies Until They Are Older
This is my daughter, Ammarie Rose. She is 4 months old, and will be in her first pageant next week. I think it is up to the mommies to do pageants or not when a child is a baby. I feel like a little girl again playing with my baby dolls! I love dressing her up and doting on her! But when the child is old enough to have an opinion, and their own tastes, 5 or 6 years old. If they want to do pageants, that's great, if they don't, that's fine too! Just keep them grounded and aim to raise a strong, confident, sweet girl! That's my 2 cents!By Leslie
Fun But Expensive
Hi my daughter just turned eight and she really enjoys pageants. She just recently won 2007 LMNC Little Miss Robeson County, 2007 Miss Cover Girl, and 2007 Little MISS 4TH OF July. She really enjoys them but it can be really expensive. So I say if your kid really enjoys it and you can afford it to GO FOR IT! It really can build a child's self esteem.By Brandy
Our Little Miss Pageants
I am the mother of a now 6 year old little girl. She has been in pageants since she was about 9 months old. I think this is a good thing when they are so young, because they can make a lot of friends and they always have something to do. My little girl loves it. She cries when she has to get off of the stage. It is pretty pricey, but if you have the money and the time, I would go for it. Try our little miss pageant. My mother is the director for the Houston, TX area.By kim
Let Them Have The Choice
I am entering my daughter in the State Fair pageant this weekend and this pageant is strictly based on natural beauty. no makeup allowed. I think that is a great rule and I think this is a lot of fun, ya know, dressing her pretty and doing her hair. But I agree with some of you, they should have the choice when they are old enough to decide.By Sandy.
Pageants Are A Long Shot If You Want To Get Into Modeling
If you want to get your child into modeling, then Pageants are a long shot. We do pageants for fun and my daughter does not model, however my niece who is 9 months older does. She has a contract with FORD modeling agency and works quite a bit. She does pageants as well, but just as a hobby. My sister-in-law took her own headshots and sent them in to several agencies herself and choose from those who responded. She can use any photographer that she chooses so don't be suckered into paying a ton of money for a portfolio. She usually solicits photographers to do her daughter's shots for little to nothing and, in exchange, she lets them use the shots in their own portfolios. I think almost any child can be a model. Most agencies don't prefer pageant kids, you never see kids on products in fake tans, make-up, and rhinestone dresses. I'm not bashing pageants, we do them, but be realistic and know that not a lot of kids do pageants, and out of that small percentage a very very small percentage get a modeling contract or job out of it. All kids are adorable in their own way and every client looks for something different! Good luck, HTH!!By Christy
Don't Take It So Seriously
My daughter is 21 months and has competed in 2 pageants. I was to sure about it because of all the negative that you hear about them. But my daughter loved getting on stage she thought it was so neat having everyone watching her. She has won Personality for the state of Wyoming. I think that is up to the parents not to take it so serious.By Kim Archuleta
Daughter Wants To Get Back Into Pageants
This is my 6-year-old daughter, Amy. This was a professional shoot she did a few months ago. She did pageants from age 2-5 then stopped for a year to do prep at school. Now she wants to go back and I will fully support her. She is an only child but I don't spoil her. She used to win quite a lot so we'll see what happens when she comes back to do more. I usually spray tan her and we have a low cost family friend who does make-up. I, being a pageant hair dresser, do the hair! We hire new costumes for most sections but then we also swap dresses with Amy's friends.By Jackie
Not Everyone Can Be A Winner
I just want to add that not everybody can be a winner. It's sad to go in with high expectations and to leave with nothing, as so many have to. Everybody is beautiful, but not everybody can win. To have a group of people telling children who is the most beautiful, or most talented, etc. Well, that may be great for the self esteem of the winners, but I can assure you, it's not so great for those who don't.By meemee
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