Polarising world of America's child beauty pageants | 60 Minutes Australia

Summary

The script delves into the lucrative yet controversial world of child beauty pageants, worth $5 billion annually. It showcases the glitz and glamour, alongside the tears and tantrums, as young girls are groomed for stardom. Highlighting stories like Eden Wood, a 5-year-old pageant celebrity, and the tragic murder of JonBenet Ramsey, the script explores the industry's impact on children, parents' motivations, and societal perceptions of child beauty pageants.

Takeaways

• 💸 The beauty pageant industry for children is worth $5 billion a year, indicating its significant economic impact.
• 👧 The script describes young girls being prepared for pageants from a very young age, with some starting as early as six years old.
• 🎭 There is a competitive and commercial aspect to these pageants, with families investing time and money for a chance at stardom and prizes.
• 😢 The script reveals the stress and pressure behind the scenes, including tears and tantrums from the children involved.
• 👸 The portrayal of young girls in pageants often involves heavy makeup and adult-like styling, which some argue sexualizes children.
• 🏆 Winning pageants can lead to significant rewards, including prize money, merchandise deals, and opportunities in entertainment.
• 👠 The script features Eden Wood, a prominent child beauty queen, who has won numerous pageants and has a significant following.
• 👨‍👧 The involvement of parents is highlighted, with some viewing pageants as a family activity and others seeing it as a path to success for their children.
• 🚫 The script mentions the negative impact of the JonBenet Ramsey case on the pageant industry, which saw a decline in popularity following her death.
• 💬 There is a debate over the appropriateness of child beauty pageants, with some viewing them as harmless fun and others as exploitative.
• 🏆 Despite controversies, pageants have made a comeback, with parents and children alike pursuing the dream of victory and the associated benefits.

Q & A

What is the current worth of the beauty pageant industry for young girls?

The industry is worth $5 billion a year.

What was the impact of JonBenet Ramsey's death on the beauty pageant industry?

After JonBenet Ramsey's death in the mid-90s, the beauty pageant industry lost a lot of its shine and many pageants went out of business.

How is the pageant industry described in terms of family activities?

Andrea M Claus, who has organized pageants for 25 years, describes it as just another family activity, comparing it to baseball or soccer for other families.

What are some of the pressures faced by young girls participating in beauty pageants?

Young girls face pressures such as the need to perform well on stage, maintain a pageant smile, and undergo makeovers including heavy makeup and styled hair.

Who is Eden Wood and what is her significance in the beauty pageant world?

Eden Wood is the reigning princess of the pageant scene in America, having been winning pageants since she was 18 months old and is considered to have 'The X Factor' that makes her stand out.

What are the costs associated with participating in beauty pageants for a child like Eden?

The costs include professional coaching, hair, makeup, and a showgirl wardrobe. It is mentioned that one family has spent close to $100,000 since their child started participating.

How does the script address the issue of child beauty pageants possibly sexualizing young girls?

The script presents differing views, with some arguing that the heavy makeup and costumes are not sexualizing the children, while others express concern that the pageants make the children look like living dolls beyond their years.

What are the potential rewards for children who excel in beauty pageants?

The potential rewards include prize money, opportunities for stardom, and the development of confidence and a strong bond between the child and their parent, as experienced by Ranna, a former pageant star.

How does the script portray the comeback of child beauty pageants after a period of decline?

The script shows that despite past controversies and negative publicity, the pageant industry has made a remarkable comeback, with parents investing heavily in their children's participation.

What is the script's perspective on the competitive nature and the lessons of winning and losing in child beauty pageants?

The script suggests that the competitive nature of pageants is similar to team sports, where children learn to win and lose, and that it can be a life lesson on handling success and failure.