Child Pageant Chat

Pageants are as varied as the girls who compete in them. Competitions abound in every age group, including infant or babies, toddlers, 6 to 8 year olds, juniors 9 to 11 year olds, tweens, teens, and the more popular 15 to 25 year olds. Beyond these, there are pageants for married women and those ladies over age 60. For our purposes, we’re focusing on pageants for children age 12 and under.

“Some children’s pageants are glitzy modeling type competitions that require lots of make-up and then there are some that require no make-up,” points out pageant coach Elizabeth McGlynn of Professional Pageant Preparation, LLC. As someone whose been working with hopeful pageant contestants for 18 years, McGlynn has seen it all and believes the competing youngster-not the parent-should be the deciding factor. After all, “the child should love every minute of it,” insists McGlynn. “Not be scared to death.”

Essentially, there are three types of pageants that are available for young girls. Assess your preferences as well as your daughter’s personality to determine which one will be the best fit:

Professional/Full Glitz: Envision your child as a mini Vegas Show Girl. Participation in these types of pageants is usually on a weekly basis and competitions are held all year long. Costumes and wardrobe are custom-made and glitzy, usually adorned with beads, rhinestones, sequins, and other shimmery material. Contestants usually require a formal evening gown, a swimsuit as well as casual, western, and pro-am outfits. The majority of contestants hire professional photographers that specialize in glitz photography and retouching. Other professionals-for-hire could include a pageant coach, a make-up artist, nail technician, and hair stylist. Accessories such as jewelry, hair pieces, false teeth, and eye lashes are common.

As with anything else, glitz pageants have their pros and cons for the people involved in them. For participants, these competitions can be extraordinarily expensive, running as much as $40,000 a year for girls who do several pageants annually. One former glitz contestant said the expenses for her pageant gown exceeded the cost of her first car. Even still, glitz pageants offer the ultimate dress up experience as well as the opportunity to win many prizes which often include a crown, sash, trophy and savings bonds worth up to $10,000.

Hobby Glitz: This type of pageant is a step below professional/full glitz. The clothing is still glitzy but the items don’t have to be custom-made. Contestants can shop on E-bay, consignment shops, or other used clothing retailers. Pageant photos are still required but contestants don’t have to use glitz photographers. Beauty professionals and pageant coaches are a nice to have at this level but your daughter can use your services if you’re particularly skilled in any of these areas. Expenses for these pageants could range from $10,000 – $15,000 annually. As with all pageants, the winner still wins a crown, banner, a trophy and a savings bond (valued at $100 – $500). Other prizes include entry fees for the national pageant, toys, and other gifts.

Natural: These pageants are totally different from glitz pageants and the focus in on inner and outer beauty. For these pageants, contestants may or may not wear make-up depending on the specific requirements of the contest. Pageants like Miss USA, Miss Teen, Miss America and Little Miss Hawaiian fall into this category. The events typically happen two or three times a year and build on each other. So a girl would first compete on a local level, then a state level, and then a national level.

The attire for these pageants vary according to the categories involved. Gowns can be custom-made or purchased from bridal shops, catalogues, or online. Contestants also need a costume for the opening number, an interview outfit, and talent wear. The swimsuit is reserved for older girls.

Fees for this type of pageant can also vary. In many cases, the state fees are high because they also cover the expenses of the national pageant for the winner. There are also tiered pageants that have fees at all levels. Like glitz pageants, contestants can also hire a beauty team but may settle for mom’s expertise at the lower levels of the competition.

Prizes can include a crown, trophy, banner, modeling contracts, cash, scholarships, trips, clothes, photo shoots, special appearances, and other gifts.

When you compare glitz to natural pageants there are similarities and differences. Both types require a fee to participate, feature formal evening wear, provide cash prizes and gifts to the winners, and have local and national level competitions. As for the differences, make-up is encouraged in glitz pageants while most natural pageants don’t allow make-up for contestants under the13 years old. Swimsuits are rarely worn by children in natural pageants but that is a common occurrence in glitz pageants. False teeth, wigs, and other beauty alterations are frequently seen in glitz pageants but not allowed in natural competitions. Contestants in natural pageants are rated largely by their interview but glitz participants are mostly judged on their appearance.

Alternative pageants that promote pride, religion, or some other cause may also be in your community. You just have to look in local newspapers or organizational newsletters to find them.

To determine which category is for your daughter, research pageants online, talk to pageant organizers to find out if the pageant is categorized as professional glitz, hobby glitz or a natural and talk to other parents. Also, preview the pageant prior to getting your daughter involved in it: “Before my daughter, Donna, entered the Miss Coastal Empire pageant, we saw it the year before. Seeing it in advance gives you an idea of what to expect,” states pageant mom Yvette David. “At the time we saw the pageant, Donna thought it was something she could pull off and she ended up winning the following year.”

You can also get insight from pageant coaches, past pageant queens, photographers, and pageant magazines. Of course, the best impressions come from your child. Be honest about how you think she’ll fair physically and emotionally in the pageant world. Once you settle on a pageant category then select a system.