Complaint Review: Baby Miss America Pageant - Internet

 I am fully aware of how pageants work I grew up doing them my whole life. Me and my mom (who was there for every pageant I did as a child) both could tell something is not right with the system. I am not angry about my child not winning she, my mom, and I had fun that’s all that matters. She loves her trophy and still shows it off. Money was no issue that’s what her sponsors are for. I was just stating that this pageant was not worth the money and time put into it, after what we witness and heard. I think I’ve been in the pageant world long enough to know when something’s not right.

 My daugher also competed in the Baby Miss New Orleans pageant and she was in the Tiny Miss Category. There were alot of girls in her category and I realized she had alot of competition. I also understand that just because we pay to enter a pageant doesnt mean they will win and we also spent alot of money preparing her for the pageant. We sign rules stating that it is a natural pageant and anyone wearing make-up or a spray tan will be disqualified from the pageant (And let me add this the little girl who was disqualified looked as if she had a spray tan too). My daughter entered the pageant for the 1st time at 11 months and all she received was a participation trophy but I didnt get upset. I decided to wait until she got older and come back and let her try again. She did receive 2 awards but did not receive a title this time and even if she hadnt of received anything it wouldn't have been the fault of pageant director. There were 4 judges there who scored our girls so they were the ones who held the decision. And neither of them are apart of the "Staff" so I disagree that it was rigged. Entering pageants is a choice and we are given a registration packet which includes the amount we will pay for the pageant. If we cant afford it, then we dont enter our daughter. And if we do choose to enter her we have to know that it doesnt mean she will win. I would also like to say that there were 5 titles given out in each category. The little miss category had 5 contestants. So its obvious if only 5 girls are competing all 5 of them will get awards. What we don't know is who will win. My oldest daughter entered her first pageant at 3. There were alot of girls who won awards and my daughter only won a few. One girl won every category but did not win a national title. My daughter ended up winning a 3rd place national title and we didn't expect it so no I don't believe the pageant is rigged. Also one of the babies in the Baby Miss category did not receive any awards but won a national title. I know because her parents sat right in front of me. If the pageant was rigged she probably wouldnt have won. The pageant was not a rip off. It was an experience.

The Baby Miss America Pageant has very strict rules and regulations. The pageant is 100% NATURAL-NO MAKEUP. The parents sign a copy of the rules & regulations acknowledging they understand that any violation of the rules & regulations will result in immediate disqualification. We do not allow any of our Local, State or National Winners to wear make-up of any kind at any time. The NO MAKEUP rule is non-negotiable. There were 9 Parents who reported that the child's mother put make-up on the child while standing in line to go to the Awards Ceremony. I personally spoke with the child's mother and she admitted that she did put makeup on her child. Unfortunately, that is a violation of the rules and regulations. She was immediately disqualified. There were 5 contestants in the Little Miss division. There were 5 Crowns given out. Every Mom in that division knew their child would get one of the 5 Crowns because there were only 5 contestants. It is ridiculous to state the pageant was "rigged" because every child in that division received a crown. The Baby Miss America Contestants are scored individually on INDIVIDUAL SCORE SHEETS. There were 4 judged for the Baby Miss New Orleans Pageant. The judges initial each score sheet. Good sportsmanship is essential in any competition. Anyone who cannot accept the decision of the judges should not enter pageants or any type of competition.