Child Pageant Rivals: Drastically Different Experience
Thursday, October 20, 2011 8:37AM
Brooke Breedwell is a former child beauty pageant contestant, who at the age of five had already won a staggering 75 pageant titles. Brooke’s mother was a tough pageant mom, insisting on 8-hour training days and a family mantra of only winning. Her child beauty pageant rival, Asia Brungart, who started competing at six months old, had a wonderful pageant experience.
For the first time, the two are reunited in the studio and in this clip, Asia explains why she thinks her pageant experience was drastically different from Brooke’s...
Filed Under: As Seen On The Show
Comments
I continue to be appalled at these mothers who expose their babies to any pedophile who tunes in to see these children parade across the stage like miniature prostitutes. TLC is a disgusting network for promoting this program. And what is with June saying that it's ok to feed her 5 year old caffeine and red bull . Does she not look in the mirror? Spend that money on a fitness center and personal trainer for your self and your daughter before you both drop dead of a heart attack or diabetes. And showing your fat belly on nation television, what a piece of work you are. You should be charged with child abuse.
I agree with Sue. I think our daughters are beautiful without all the fake stuff. I think people forget what beauty is really all about. What are we teaching our girls about character? My young daughter has a friend who has CP and is blind. Today she was rocking with him in a chair, holding his hand and telling him not to worry that she wouldn't let him fall out of the chair. That , to me, is more beautiful than anything I've seen on the Toddlers and Tiaras show. I'm not against confidence and healthy self esteem but self absorption seems to be encouraged more than anything. I'm sure there are positive effects to participating but I wouldn't want my daughter in a contest where she is judged on how she looks, especially when they aren't what the girls really look like.
Has anyone considered a martial arts demonstration as a talent. Martial art teaches self-discipline, respect, and self-defense against someone who is more than double their size, also helps one focus at the task at hand. The emphasis is then on appreciating the beauty of the art form, on the talent and not on something else. Personally I’m tired of the predictability of the talent part of the pageant: singing, dancing and playing an instrument very common or at least that’s what I keep seeing. As for the whole different types of pageants I think there should be a semi-glitz and a natural, full blown glitz is too far for the younger participants to me but that’s my personal opinion. If a mom thinks differently that’s ok with me as long as the child enjoys it. Sometimes entering a beauty pageant is a one-time thing other times its not, it just depends on the personality at hand.
Has anyone considered a martial arts demonstration as a talent. Martial art teaches self-discipline, respect, and self-defense against someone who is more than double their size, also helps one focus at the task at hand. The emphasis is then on appreciating the beauty of the art form, on the talent and not on something else. Personally I’m tired of the predictability of the talent part of the pageant: singing, dancing and playing an instrument very common or at least that’s what I keep seeing. As for the whole different types of pageants I think there should be a semi-glitz and a natural, full blown glitz is too far for the younger participants to me but that’s my personal opinion. If a mom thinks differently that’s ok with me as long as the child enjoys it. Sometimes entering a beauty pageant is a one-time thing other times its not, it just depends on the personality at hand.
Why didn't anyone ask the question... would you (and your daughter) enter a contest that required NO fake items (teeth, spray tan, hair, makeup)?? There are so many people making BIG money off of this young children/babies... and the child who wins is the child who has the most money?
Is "beauty" really evaluated when they are are covered so completely with so much fake items?
Is it healthy for a child to be told "You can't win unless you have...." (fake teeth, spray tan, not your real hair). "You aren't good enough to win just on who you are - you have to be fake to win."???
I say - start a "pageant" where young children compete with a $100 dress budget and no fake accessories. Let the CHILD shine (if that, indeed, is the moms' intentions)... Let her REAL beauty shine, and let her personality come forth without the makeup/hair, etc.
Additionally, so many moms (and dads) have said they go to church. So why the bare middriff dresses? Why show so much skin? Why not practice modesty? I've been watching the show and am shocked that there are halter tops, short skirts/shirts and even bikinis (I can't even imagine the girl who wore the Pretty Woman prostitute outfit). Why is that necessary?
I had so many questions after watching this show - I was hoping more people would ask them.
I have to say - I actually started to watch this thinking it wasn't a big deal. But the more I watch the show - the more I realize that these girls are not allowed to be themselves to be judged.... they have to be fake in order to win.
Why is this okay with the moms???
I felt sorry for Brooke being up there with the three stage mothers and Asia. Asia seemed nice (although I must add even though both Asia and Brooke seemed well-adjusted and successful I would want to see how many other former pageant contestants also are!) but it just made me sad to see Brooke with the only opinion I truly agreed with get almost henpecked to death by the three hen mothers on the right.
Eden's mom was absolutely the worst excuse for a human being I have seen in a very long time. She is one of those older women who are obviously ashamed (for whatever reason) about getting older so they act "larger than life." Eden's mom had absolutely no valid points and just kept shouting at everyone by the end of the segment, showing her true colors. She really tried to portray herself as an educator and an advocate for children in the beginning of the show but she could not keep the facade (as she so liked to say!) up for long. She kept screaming about Jon-Benet Ramsey and tried to make it seem like pageants get a hard time only because of that. The three moms also tried to bring up the "skimpy" outfits featured in gymnastics and ice skating, but fail to realize that those are SPORTS and pageants are GLORIFIED BEAUTY CONTESTS. I know they provide scholarship money and contestants can showcase their talents and all but even Eden's mom admitted that it is not a worthwhile endeavor collecting money through pageants since you put in way more than you take home. Besides that, the child psychologist was right in that contestants put too much emphasis on their beauty which can't be helpful. Even if (God forbid) something terrible like Jon-Benet Ramsey happened to a kid involved in gymnastics or ice skating, it wouldn't sully those sports because those sports are not ALL ABOUT OUTFITS AND MAKEUP as beauty pageants are. Gynmastics and ice skating emphasize skill whereas beauty pageants only emphasize beauty. Not to mention that beauty pageants and the way they are judged is very subjective too.
Brooke and Anderson's mom had the best comments in the show. Brooke, when she said if she was twelve when her mom asked her to do pageants, she would have been able to refuse easily. Those three stage mothers all yelled about how their kids want to do this, etc. but must realize it is very hard when you are a child and small to say no or speak up against an adult who is way bigger than you! That goes along with what Anderson's mom said about how the kids want to please their mothers so badly. I wish those mothers would look at this show and their behavior objectively but they never will.
Am I the only one that noticed the mothers actions during the kids performances on this show?
Even though this was NOT a competition, the mothers felt the need to leave the stage, and prompt their kids with their body language etc. To me this illustrates the continual pressure that the mothers are exerting on the kids, and not owning up to it. I think there is some subtle brainwashing done by the parents and parental denial of their shoving their kids. I wonder how many times the parents have something to the effect of: I am giving up my life and doing all this for you, so you have a great future you ungrateful brat".
I happened on the program this AM while working at home. I personally believe that it is more the mothers desire than the childs desire to be in these events. How much ego and (potential profit) is in it for the parent? I have no doubt that they are utilizing tax deductions etc. to support their climb to fame.
Ms. Woods (who seemed very prepared for the comments, and seems to appreciate the spotlight, stated that she doesn't think the kids understand sexuality. But sexuality is not just shaking your booty but also your use of gestures (puckered lips, pouting, eyelash flutter etc.) to impress the judges and eventually get your way with your parents, friends etc.
My concern is as these kids grow up how will this "parental" competitiveness and niave views, effect their girl and boyfriend relationships. Next stop BRIDEZILLAS!!!!!
I think the biggest problem is with the parents. The age that they begin to train their kid/kids is just horrible 6mons 8 mons what are you thinking? A child at that age doesn't understand what they are really doing. You are giving them a job a career a fake world. I have a son who is looking into modeling but my son is 17. People wanted me to get him into the business early but he didn't want that so we didn't inquire. The parents are putting more money into it then what their get back hmmm. What are these children getting back what goals are they really accomplishing? You can be beautiful & a winner as long as we give u fake teeth, hair, lots of makeup, questionable outfits? It's sad really because I'm sure they are just pleasing mommy. However I'm sure that a lot of kids really do love it! Pageant moms you must understand that at some point you will have to look at your child/children and ask them is this really what you want to do are you happy!? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I'm just saying
I feel like many other mothers, that pageants can be fun for some children and that's fine. Just like any activity one puts their child into, if the child is happy, fine. If not;remove the child from it! Unfortunately, some parents just go too far and seem to forget the child in all of this. As for Denise who has been writing about Asia -what is your problem with her? I do not believe you need to bring her family's personal life into this. It does not have anything to do with the topic of conversation here. I feel very sad for you Denise.
Jessica,
The only problem I have regarding your response is that you can criticize the likes of Madonna's conical bustier and Julia Robert's acclaimed role as a hooker-turned-millionaire-bride but you can't deny it is also what catapulted both women's careers. Madonna and Julia Roberts did not grow rich, famous, and idolized by millions because they were librarians sitting at home. They are iconic woman who happen to represent "strong" woman and get loads of attention not only from the media but from the people in general. So when a little girl decides to wear a costume or pay hommage to roles that made such women like Madonna and Julia Roberts famous (and adored), don't be so quick to get your panties in a ruffle. She is only reflecting the society that she lives in.
Denise: I happen to know Asia's entire family and have since her younger sister was in pageants with my daughter. Not that it is any business of yours whatsoever Neither Asia nor her 5 siblings were the cause of her Parents divorce!!! How dare you make a public allegation on a topic you know NOTHING about! Do you have any idea how traumatic it is for a child to go through their parents divorce? And to have someone make allegations that it was there fault..?!?!? How dare you!!! Pageants aside, Asia was a beautiful child, a gorgeous teenager and still a stunning woman. Inside and Out!
Here is the way I see it. This is OK only if they are not wearing skimpy outfits (Madonna cones, Julia Robers hooker outfit, Vegas show girl) And only if the child enjoys it. This is not only a pagent problem, I see poor kids get forced into sports and treat badly by the parents because they are "reliving their childhood" Good for Asia who enjoys it and turned out pretty good. Sorry for Brook who missed out on who she really wanted to be.
Let's face it: Brooke was the only normal one sitting on the sofa.
Somehow I just don't find myself feeling sorry for Brooke. Should I be concerned and filled with sympathy that she won over 75 trophies during her beauty pageant career? That's just indicative of the old stereotype that the prettier the girl, the lower the self-esteem. Her issue is with her mom, don't blame the pageant industry. God forbid her mom push her to do something that she was actually good at - winning 75 trophies in beauty pageants. Some children have parents who could care less what their interests are.