Toddlers and Tiaras

[mesa]

Anybody see this yet? It's ummm....a trainwreck. I can't stop watching though. The parents. My God, the moms...last night was particularly sad.

Anyway, I was just wondering if any MDC moms had seen it...I'm sure you all have plenty to say on the subject!

[angie7]

I don't watch regularly b/c I refuse to support the ratings in such an explotation of children but I did catch the first 5-10 mins or so last nite (the only time I've actually watched any of it). I felt so sad for the 5 little girls, especially the twins that compete against each other but their mother said the one twin was the prettiest of all 5 of her dds' and the other twin had a big nose, they are 6 years old! That's nice mom, just screw them up early with body issues :

[mamassong]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought it was a trainwreck. I feel like I shouldn't watch it, but I can't look away.

I don't even know what to say about it. It made me sad.

[mesa]

that mom of twins. She really was something, wasn't she? And at the end, when her other daughter won the "Director's Choice"(?) award...she was sooooo shocked. And when she won 3rd runner's up, mom was standing at the back of the room with her arms crossed, saying, I'll be surprised if she wins anything. That little girl was so precious. They both were, but she just seemed so sad and introverted. They've really done a number on her self esteem, already.

That episode, more than the others I have seen (while they were bad too)...really broke my heart.

[Ditto]

I watched the latest episode tonight (the American Gem something or other one). The blonde girl who won seems so overly grown up and sexualized. She made a gesture at the end during the wrap-up interview type thing that shocked me. Sad.

I don't really understand these pageants. I think I would support my kids being in talent shows if they wanted to, debate clubs, modeling maaaaybe, but based on beauty. Nah....

Oh, just thought of another yucky part. The pageant director was explaining that they can wear two pieces, bikinis or one pieces for the swimsuit competition, but not thongs, because it's almost impossible to have a perfect body in a thong. Are you kidding me? I thought she was going to say because they are just children. I feel skeeved out just watching them the way it is, thank goodness they don't allow that as well.

Don't think I'm going to watch this show anymore...

[ticklemegreen]

I watched lastnight as well. There are sooo many things wrong with this show!

How about how the blond girl who was maybe 8, she kept making comment about how there was a male judge and his facial expressions and how he was watching her on stage...like she thought maybe he was attracted to her so he'd pick her?!?!?!?! She is 8 and he was probably 30 and she thinks that he is attracted to her and that's okay?! ick

And the thong comment!!! When she started to say that they don't allow thongs I was thinking in my head why does she even feel it necessary to say that? and THEN she says that it's because it's hard to have the perfect body in a thong! What about the fact that a toddler in a thong is a horrific thought????

Ugh, They also announced the girls by there full name. This show is a pedophile's dream. Not only can they watch on t.v. but they can also look up the girls!

I will never watch this show again.

And to all of the shows participants I have two words: JonBenet Ramsey.

[Ericka1999]

Originally Posted by ticklemegreen

I watched lastnight as well. There are sooo many things wrong with this show!

How about how the blond girl who was maybe 8, she kept making comment about how there was a male judge and his facial expressions and how he was watching her on stage...like she thought maybe he was attracted to her so he'd pick her?!?!?!?! She is 8 and he was probably 30 and she thinks that he is attracted to her and that's okay?! ick

And the thong comment!!! When she started to say that they don't allow thongs I was thinking in my head why does she even feel it necessary to say that? and THEN she says that it's because it's hard to have the perfect body in a thong! What about the fact that a toddler in a thong is a horrific thought????

Ugh, They also announced the girls by there full name. This show is a pedophile's dream. Not only can they watch on t.v. but they can also look up the girls!

I will never watch this show again.

And to all of the shows participants I have two words: JonBenet Ramsey.

I have seen that show a few times before.I personally don't like that show it shows girls wearing make up young as 5 same as a 25-35yr old stripper play mate posted on play boy would, i.e Anna Nichole, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton etc..It's disgusting to see little girls dress up wear make up and look like little whores..Plus not only that I remember seeing this part were this 5-7yr old pagent girl had some teeth fallen out and yet the mother puts her those fake teeth, and I'm like Com'on she's only like 7!That's normal for a child of that age to loose teeth.It's not like she's a 65 yr old needing dentures!Plus the amount of make up that they wear makes them look same as a skin of a 25-35yr old stripper who are in playboy mags..

[KristyDi]

Originally Posted by mesa

that mom of twins. She really was something, wasn't she? And at the end, when her other daughter won the "Director's Choice"(?) award...she was sooooo shocked. And when she won 3rd runner's up, mom was standing at the back of the room with her arms crossed, saying, I'll be surprised if she wins anything. That little girl was so precious. They both were, but she just seemed so sad and introverted. They've really done a number on her self esteem, already.

That episode, more than the others I have seen (while they were bad too)...really broke my heart.

I know! I was yelling at the tv.

The little 4 year old in the tiny Veags show girl outfit seriously skeeved me out.

[NiteNicole]

She made a gesture at the end during the wrap-up interview type thing that shocked me.

Yes, my husband walked through while that was going on and said OH MY GOD WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING? This was the same child who wanted her mom to spell out "HOT" on her arm in sticky rhinestones.

I won't watch again. This show is as much exploitation as pagents are and I feel a little dirty for contributing to it. It's just gross. Six year old girls should not be shaking their non-existant rear ends and making sex faces for savings bonds and a trip to Orlando (or any other reason).

How do people get sucked into these things. I could buy a truck load of crowns tomorrow (they're cheap!), rent a hotel space, send out some fliers, and make a fortune! It's a scam! It goes NOWHERE and means NOTHING. Do you think when college time rolls around they'll wish they'd saved the fake tan, flipper, and hair piece money for tuition?

[Amys1st]

the thing that really irks me about this whole thing- the prize is $1000 cash and thats it. When you add up all you need to win that crown, its way more. Then all these people have a "room of trophies" or a room dedicated to the crowns etc that look like hobby lobby specials.

the whole thing is ick ick ick!

[savannah smiles]

Originally Posted by NiteNicole

Yes, my husband walked through while that was going on and said OH MY GOD WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING? This was the same child who wanted her mom to spell out "HOT" on her arm in sticky rhinestones.

I won't watch again. This show is as much exploitation as pagents are and I feel a little dirty for contributing to it. It's just gross. Six year old girls should not be shaking their non-existant rear ends and making sex faces for savings bonds and a trip to Orlando (or any other reason).

How do people get sucked into these things. I could buy a truck load of crowns tomorrow (they're cheap!), rent a hotel space, send out some fliers, and make a fortune! It's a scam! It goes NOWHERE and means NOTHING. Do you think when college time rolls around they'll wish they'd saved the fake tan, flipper, and hair piece money for tuition?

I agree totally! The only people making bank are the event organizers.

[Bookworm715]

Originally Posted by Ditto

The pageant director was explaining that they can wear two pieces, bikinis or one pieces for the swimsuit competition, but not thongs, because it's almost impossible to have a perfect body in a thong.

You almost want to laugh, but then you realize it's REAL.

For the most part, I don't feel terrible watching. I certainly would NEVER sign my kids up for something like that, but I think there are probably worse things (right? maybe? possibly?)- at least the parents are giving their kids attention and the girls have some sort of hobby (hey, trying to be optimistic here. lol) but then it goes WAY overboard and I feel very, very icky.

[PaytonPlace]

The whole pageant thing makes me heave. These girls aren't even competing with their own bodies/looks/talents. They get fake hair, fake tan, fake nails, fake lashes, fake teeth, 5 pounds of makeup, clothes that no child ever is seen wearing on their own accord and then they're trained like puppies to do these dance moves and routines. Don't the moms realize that ANYONE could win as long as they are willing to sacrifice the cash, dignity, and respect for the health of their child? It's so disgusting. They should look into that fact that "real" supermodels are mostly all natural (well if you remove the cocaine addictions and eating disorders but ya know what I mean).

Last week there was a mom on there that said her DD said at 3 or 4 that she wanted to do a pageant. WTH? My DD is 3 1/2 and doesn't even know the word pageant so I highly doubt she would tell me she wants to compete in a beauty contest at that age on her own idea.

Another thing I've noticed is that the majority of the moms do not appear to take much care of their own bodies. It makes me wonder (not that it's a shocking revelation) if all of these poor little girls are being driven to compete & win prizes that label them as beautiful because of their mothers' struggles with their own body image.

[DariusMom]

I saw the show a few times this spring. It's horrible, but hard to turn away from. I just want to drag all the moms off for years of intensive therapy . .. not to mention the girls to try and prevent further damage to their self-esteem.

[mama k nj]

I only see the clips they make fun of on The Soup. When they showed the clip about the bathing suits and why you can't wear thongs.. OMG. Joel McHale's response was hilarous.

I can't stomach most reality TV and this one is way out there! Trainwreck is a good description.

[mamatoablessing]

Originally Posted by mama k nj

I only see the clips they make fun of on The Soup. When they showed the clip about the bathing suits and why you can't wear thongs.. OMG. Joel McHale's response was hilarous.

I can't stomach most reality TV and this one is way out there! Trainwreck is a good description.

Yes! I was just coming to post that the only clips I've seen were on The Soup. The whole show is repulsive to me. I can't imagine why any parent in the world would think sexualizing their kids in this way is a good idea. It's sick and makes me question the motives and histories of the parents. I can't imagine the body image issues these poor girls will face as they grow up.

[MrsMike]

I'm really sorry to say this, but I truly feel that this show is a pedophiles dream. I go through all the emotions about these poor little girls wearing all that make-up, hair, clothes and all that fakeness, but the thing that constantly runs through my mind is how there must be a buttload of pedophiles with this show on their TIVO.

I don't know why this is acceptable. Sure, you get a handful of grown girls who say pageants gave them self-esteem and enough money for college. I believe that's the exception to the rule. I think those parents are creating a monster in those poor little girls. The last episode I saw had a little girl ask why the pageant winner was "better than me." She wasn't even 5 years old and she was already getting that sense of being judged for the way you look.

And whoever made a comment about the moms taking care of themselves...you're right. A lot of these moms are living out their dreams. And, personally, I think those crowns and trophies are tacky.

That show and the people on it creep me out. It's so sad.

[dogmom327]

I love how practically every parent talks about improved self-esteem and practically every girl is filmed nit-picking their own performance and feeling very down on themselves.

[savannah smiles]

I finally got to see the episode with the twin sisters (thanks to a T&T marathon) and found it truly depressing. My 8 year old, who was watching it with me, even asked me why the mom didn't like one of her little girls. I thought the less-favored twin seem like such a sweetheart and I was glad she got the special Director's award!

Still not sure what to make of the Tootie alter ego a girl had in another episode. Hoo-boy!

[MamaBug]

I watch this show now and again and it makes me sick as well. I don't know why but it makes me very uncomfortable that men are judging these things....I don't think little girls need to be judged on beauty in the first place, but men doing it creeps me out.

My heart broke for the twin that was the "less" pretty because she didn't look like her mother.

Then there was the mother who was drinking Red Bull during her interviews....she made all these weird faces...it was soooo strange.

The fact that sometimes they show these girls topless getting the spray tan is so wrong...the pedophiles as someone else said can have a field day with THAT!

I think that if a teenager makes the decision that she wants to do this knowing what the deal is then fine....my very good friends daughter is now Miss NH and will compete in Miss America...however that is a TRUE scholarhip pagent and she didn't start doing them until HS....girls have so many things working against their self esteem it is just wrong to do this to them at such a young age. And the cost is nuts! I googled pagents in my area just to see how much it would cost....it is $40 to enter JUST for the beauty part....every other catagory, like hair, smile, photo, etc is an additional $10 plus so if you enter every category it can cost you upwards of $100 just to enter....that does not include the hair, nails, dress ( which can cost hundreds).....and alot of these people do not have homes that suggest this is easy for them to afford.....I just don't get it????