The pageant is in it for the cash, no doubt. It is very, very expensive so prepare to spend 1 ot 3 thousand dollars from start to finish. NAM odviousley gives preferential treatment to ethic contestants and to contestents who spend the $$$$ on advertising. There where girls who were clearly not on anyones's radar to win top model, talent or especially Queen.
One child won upwards of 12 titles in one age group only to find that her photo was pre-posted on the NAM Facebook page PRIOR to her winning 12 awards. Hmmmmmmmm?
It is a fun experience if you daughter wants to do it, but very expensive and very emotionally draining on the parent and child. The 3 day ordeal took such a toll on my 10 year old she did not sleep for 3 night and collapsed into a crying mess when we got home.
If you do decide to compete in this pageant, just know what you are getting into and if you are doing this to help your daughter come "out of her shell" Try a smaller pageant like (((competitors' names redacted))) they are much less money and way less traumatizing for your child.