There are lots of shows out there concerned with out of control teens and how their distraught parents deal with them but last night I watched a frankly upsetting show which featured out of control parents subjecting their youngsters to the rigors of the US pagent circuit and robbing them of their childhood in the process
Last night’s ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ featured parents clearly so desperate to snag a $5,000 prize pot, and boost their own self-esteem that they would allow their child to saunter around in a swimsuit and get scored on their body image? (And none of these eager parents seemed to be short of a dime either).
Of course, the parents came prepared with excuses of how it will offer them a better life in the long-run as their child has more opportunities such as modelling and TV appearances, and contribute to scholarship funds. However, it was clear from their facial expressions and attitude towards their children that the parents were in denial. I can confidently say that not one of the young participants looked like they enjoyed the extensive training sessions, or even looked remotely happy on stage.
The most controlling parent on the show was definitely Stacey Alley, who was desperate for her child Rebecca (aged six years), to win her first national pageant at the Universal Royal Pageant in Texas (apparently this is a huge deal). Stacey looking forward to competing against her daughter in the talent, evening wear, and swimsuit rounds, and was keen to share that her daughter started her career when she was just three-years-old.
Rebecca was forced to get a spray-tan, prance around her sitting room sporting a cheesy smile, and then watch as her mother waved around a baton to show her how it should be done. It got worse as the delusional woman whipped on a spandex one piece for the judges, in an attempt to outshine her daughter in the talent category (who wore a skimpy rhinestone encrusted lace black dress).
We were also introduced to Phylis Jones and her daughter Meaghan (9) from Garland, Texas. Initially, mum Phylis came across as being cool and laidback, and I got the impression that her daughter was just entering the competition for fun (which still isn’t right). Yet, it didn’t take the mum long to come out with one liners such as “There has to be a winner and a loser”, and “I wouldn’t put her in it if I didn’t want to win it”.
Phylis even promised Meaghan she would buy her an expensive bottle of perfume if she “brought home the money”. A few false nail and hair extensions later, and a stressful and anxious Meaghan was performing her hip-hop act up on the stage, which she admitted she didn’t want to do. In the hopes of giving her child a further incentive to work, Phylis also told her daughter that if she didn’t win she would be making her bed for a week!
It was David Perez (the superdad of pageants and his daughter’s biggest cheerleader) that came across best of the parents, perhaps because beneath it all because you could see that he adored his two-year-old (yes you heard right). You could see he was just the proud father who wanted to show her off, but my oh my did he cross the line.
His wife Tanya didn’t seem to have much input into the parenting of their daughter Ava, which I thought was interesting, and I got the vibe that the mum didn’t want to (a) participate in the show herself and (b) inflict unnecessary attention at her daughter. Not surprisingly, Ava looked like she didn’t have a clue what was going on when she was plopped on stage, and to the disappointment of her father even lost her balance on stage and fell over (I ‘d say those flashing cameras blinded her).
Most of the children involved in the under six category did cry and looked awkward when they were left to stand on their own, and it truly was upsetting to watch. When little Ava ripped off a see-through sheer coat to display her black swimsuit alarm bells were ringing for me. When it came to the crowning, Ava missed out on a few awards but managed to win first runner-up, which she seemed over the moon with as she tried to lift the trophy. However, her dad was devastated and started to cry while declaring “How could she loose talent, she did a back-flip”.
Rebecca seemed to have better luck as she won the most beautiful, talent, and swimsuit section and the title of mini supreme queen. It was Meaghan Jones who stole the show by winning most photogenic, most beautiful, congeniality and the sought after title (I mean cash), as the University Royalty Queen.
In an age where anorexia is a massive problem for children and self-harm is on the increase, the normalising of a pagents which focus on body image from such an early age is frightening and you really have to questions the quality of parenting from these people and ask what deficit in their own lives are they trying to compensate for.
A disturbing and uncomfortable hour of television that will not be repeated.
Laura Delaney
