The weight of the tiara



Toddlers and Tiaras



When the pitter-patter of little feet is replaced by the awkward teetering of ‘baby’ high heels, you know that you’ve entered the ‘pageant zone.’ In the fantastical world of child beauty pageantry or perhaps a distorted version of ‘make belief’, anything and everything goes. As miniature contestants must adapt to the camouflaging armour of lipstick, fake tans, hair and eye-lash extensions as well as the occasional set of false teeth.

This is the face of the blossoming; child beauty pageant, ‘high glitz’ industry, as depicted through the lens of reality television show Toddlers and Tiara’s. The 'high glitz' genre appears clearly unapologetic in its quest of precipitated child maturation in a society, already saturated by media that imposes unfair restrictions on the majority of adults, particularly women; now on its children.  As under-aged contestants are often seen, sashaying across stages demonstrating their talents and national patriotism in categories, described by Susan Anderson, as Beauty/Formal Wear, Western Wear, Sportswear, and Swimwear. And the travesty thereof, is highlighted by means of the controversial  display of a three year old girl named Paisley,"who was dressed as the Julia Roberts' prostitute character from the movie Pretty woman", as reported by James Hibberd .



Toddlers and Tiaras

 It is the unfamiliar, yet increasingly accepted ‘militant’ approach that endorses the recruitment or admission of almost infantile contestants, as some are seen gracing the floor, with the help of their mothers, even before they are able to speak. “As soon as the child can sit up on her/his own s/he can enter the pageant,” said Kareen Nussbaum.  She has identified Universal Royalty as the industry leader, who maintains that the competition is aimed at encouraging confidence and growing talent. Categories may vary but often begin with the ‘baby’ or ‘pee-wee’ division, for entrants under the age of one, the ‘tiny’ group follows, for those aged one year and can progress all the way to adulthood.

What’s more is that the show provides insight into the lives of the young contestants, revealing the intense dedication, both physical and emotional, invested in preparation of these competitions. More disturbingly, it reveals the extremes that adults will aspire to, in order to improve their child’s chances of winning the crown. Some parents even recruit the help and skills of professional hairstylists, make-up artists and coaches in order to give their child that 'winning edge' over the rest the participants.

And though it is undeniable that serious involvement in this pastime requires a significant financial commitment, despite international economic challenges; it is often a sacrifice which many parents are not willing to forgo. “Parents typically spend between $100-$200 on pageant clothing, although some pay as much as $1,000 for a gown,” said Hilary Levey.



Toddlers and Tiaras



 Essentially, the ‘high glitz’ arena inadvertently exposes the sinister side of child beauty pageantry, which is often mistaken for and concealed by a more glamorous or Hollywood veneer.  While at the same time these are the makings of an economy founded upon the parallels of  exploitation. The main distinction being that one remains unrecognised in the shadows of third world and developing countries, while the other is lauded by the lights and cameras and enjoyed as primetime television.

 And as the demons of these worlds collide, it appears that even in the land of the free, everything has its price. As it is almost always the most vulnerable that are forced to pay for adult mistakes.