A Toddler Beauty Queen 'Diva'

Posted 2010/06/04 09:00:00
Read all 220 opinions

This past week, TLC premiered its third season of “Toddlers and Tiaras,” which explores the often-bizarre world of young girls competing in beauty pageants, a la JonBenet Ramsey.

The first episode, which features Makenzie, an obstinate four-year-old with a temper and a Southern accent, shows the various contestants and their parents competing for various titles, trophies and $12,000 in cash and prizes. It is not, however, all glamour, spray tans and 4T ball gowns. Dr. Nancy Irwin, a Los Angeles based psychotherapist, warns of the inherent dangers of toddler beauty pageants.

“As a treatment professional of sex offenders as well as victims of sexual abuse, I would like the parents of these little girls to assume responsibility for their choices. They are sexualizing their young children. Do not be surprised if your child is preyed upon as a result of this high degree of visibility,” says Irwin. “Men can pose as agents/managers and track you/your girl down through the show. Further, know that they will be pleasuring themselves while looking at your daughter’s YouTube clip.”

Season two of “Toddlers and Tiaras” drew an average of 1.3 million viewers every week, a healthy number for a cable reality program. Dr. Mike Bishop, a childhood behavioral health psychologist, tries to explain why the show resonates with so many.

“These shows are so popular because, unfortunately, it seems the damage done to beauty pageant toddlers’ self-esteem often results in demanding and bratty behavior,” says Bishop. “As a viewer, you want to watch what happens and it’s certainly entertaining. But as a parent, you’re mostly glad they aren’t your kids.”

To illustrate Dr. Bishop’s point, we now proudly present... Makenzie.

jerrbear 2010/06/05 01:25:54

+11
I think this is another form of child abuse here.
>> See Replies

AngelicaMorales 2011/03/01 20:43:33

+3
She is very entertaining. There are tons of bratty kids out there. This one has talent!

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AngelicaMorales 2011/03/01 20:43:27

+3
She is very entertaining. There are tons of bratty kids out there. This one has talent!

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Ronnie 2010/07/02 12:53:49

+2
they have exploited their kids as a business arrangement for purpose of seeking the motherload cash prize period ...their children are simply working ...these parents are beyond delusional if they believe otherwise ...let's see fake hair, fake nails, fake skin (aka tanning sprays?), makeup caked on to point 4 year olds face looks like an adult women ...parading around in outfits no SANE mother or father would allow their daughters to wear on the street or to school ...aside from disturbing it is warped ...this factory is a BIG business ...some parents spend more than $15K a year!!! most will never get more than a $3 crown and a paper certificate ....creating more vain empty vapid children

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♥Milli♥ 2010/06/09 00:32:26

no. no... just.... no. you dont let your kid act like that!

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MissCrazyHoboChick♥○♥○☺ 2010/06/08 15:47:21

i want to slap her!!!mackenzies voice is so gross!she cries to much and when shes happy she looks like miley cyrus the idiot.

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Alejandra 2010/06/08 03:55:33

+1
To me this is disgusting beyond words.they are telling thier daughters that in order to be accepted in society you must look and act a certain way. these parents should be put away.

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I'm Left, You're Wrong 2010/06/07 12:33:34

This is quite possibly the most disturbing thing I've ever seen...

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Greendayfan101 2010/06/07 10:28:08

I hate that show, it's like a school teaching 5 year olds how to be brats and divas

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vlad 2010/06/07 10:11:31

something really wrong with the parents of these kids ! I agree this is a form of child abuse ,these little girls will grow up with a warped perception of the world !

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EarthGirl 2010/06/07 10:07:12

Pageants are pointless. Fake hair for a 4 year old?! Come off it! I agree with jerrbear, this is another form of child abuse!

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kissbeth 2010/06/07 09:35:24

Yes I am glad it's not my kid. My daughters like to watch this show, because of the dresses, and hair styles. They are both little girls, and think it's awsome these little girls get to do that. They also laugh at the ones who throw fits, and scream around. I don't think that I would be confortable with my girls doing that. Especially after reading the top of this page.

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Nisa PinkySwear(*~*) 2010/06/07 04:59:18

i understand they are like 5...but i wanna smack these baby bitches. they need a good punishment of some sort...then i would possibly yell/ curse their mothers out

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emmy_kerl 2010/06/07 02:42:06

no way...

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MO.gal 2010/06/07 02:37:33

+1
I think these pageants are so wrong. Little girls like this should be playing and enjoying their childhood, not parading around in makeup and ball gowns.

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kayleerae 2010/06/07 02:09:34

wow, really?

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Catnip 2010/06/07 01:58:01

This is televised child abuse. Every pedophile in the country is watching this. Why is this show still on the air?

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Isabelle 2010/06/07 01:44:55

that kid needs to be disciplined. and taken away from her mother.

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Heather123abc 2010/06/07 01:24:20

+1
I don't think children should be able to perform in beauty pageants its wrong on so many levels. I think four year olds should be playing in the dirt and making mud pies.

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Isabelle to Heather... 2010/06/07 01:42:00

Yes, they really should be doing that stuff instead of being made up and already being told not to eat.

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Megan ~ PHAET 2010/06/06 23:38:47

Somebody needs to beat her tail.

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