One thing that bothers me (amongst many) regarding kids doing pageants is this: the cute look of a kid doing a pageant is a *FAR* cry from what the judges are looking for in a young woman in a big-name pagaent. It's the transition that worries me---and that a child may feel very personally ugly as they attempt to win as much as they did but entering into more young adult pageants.
As these pageant kids get older, I fear that they may not grow into what pageants progress to; a much more competitive venue. At the young adult level, pageants become highly competitive. Many of the contestants have had mulitple cosmetic surgeries, starting in their early teens. True talent (for the talent portion) is highly regarded as well as a sleek, statuesque, perfect figure with long legs. One must develop a "charity" or voice for a special cause. Ones personality needs to be coached so that it is always polite and politically correct. Perfect posture, perfect pitch to the speaking voice, and the perfect gowns and swimsuits are a must. And a biggie: there can be no unfortunate social mishaps recorded for posterity on social media.
Plain ole' cute and nice won't cut it at the level of a young adult. The bar is raised much, much higher. If a young kid is used to winning but doesn't "age" into a stunning beauty, what becomes of them?
Do I think that JBR could've pulled it off? Perhaps.
So how will these young tot pageant winners make (or not make) a graceful transition?
You listening, Honey Boo-Boo?
:facepalm:
moo (based on observations/experience)
I'm sure JB could've done it. And if she didn't want to, well, Patsy and Nedra probably would've made her do it. :/
As for other girls, I have known a LOT of girls that were absolutely adorable when little and as they aged they got heavier or more awkward or whatever and stopped doing pageants.
I never heard about any stress or upset from the girls themselves about this...not that there wasn't any, but maybe I just wasn't privy to it.
I mean it wasn't like, "well, now you're not pretty enough, so I guess we will have to quit"...it was kind of like..gradually they'd attend less and less, but it didn't seem like that was the only reason. They'd also be more involved in other activities.
There are a lot of babies and preschoolers in pageants, but it drops off a bit once kids reach school age because they start joining other activities.
Then, there is another big drop off (an even bigger one) around 6th-9th grades as girls start middle school or high school and want to do more things on their weekends..like sports, games, sleepovers, parties at friends houses etc.
Some girls stay on the glitz circuit as teens and young adults but not nearly as many.
Either they've stopped to do normal teen stuff, or, they stopped the glitz circuit because they want to do "big girl pageants" (miss america's outstanding teen, miss teen usa, nam, etc)
I wouldn't say there aren't bigger girls doing the teen pageants though. I know plenty of larger girls and they all do pretty well at pageants. Im sure they'd win more if they were thinner, but it is what it is.
They may not always win the big titles, but they still have their own reasons to be there.
If they have a performing talent they can still win talent scholarships.
If they are strong in interview and speaking they will do VERY well because speaking well actually makes up for a LOT in pageants.
If they do a lot of volunteer services they will get scholarships too.