Universal Royal Beauty Pageant

murraykil · 24-05-2013 11:26am #1

So it looks like it's coming to Ireland this September! I know they have been struggling to find a venue but it seems that some undisclosed venue has agreed to host it.

The organiser of a controversial American-style child beauty pageant is hitting back criticism that competitions like hers sexualise children, as it prepares to stage their first-ever show in Ireland this September.

Texas-based "Universal Royal Beauty Pageant" will run a glitzy 20-thousand euro event for both girls and boys which will see babies, toddlers and teens compete against one another, including a heat with youngsters decked out in swimwear.

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NewsTalk

My name is URL · 24-05-2013 11:31am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOT9wq8w4w0

The Backwards Man · 24-05-2013 11:34am

Was there not something about this 'pageant' last year too?

murraykil · 24-05-2013 11:38am

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Was there not something about this 'pageant' last year too?

I think they tried to come last year but struggled to find a venue to host them. They won't reveal the venue yet. It might be a case of them not having revealed to the venue what they intend to use the venue for in case they get rejected!

I don't really see why it's being kept a secret otherwise; they will have to reveal it eventually, but maybe they are trying to gauge interest first to see if it's going to be worth any hassle that they might encounter.

the groutch · 24-05-2013 11:39am

with surprise special guest Chris Hansen.

Sergeant · 24-05-2013 11:41am

Those shows are fúcking creepy. The documentary about the JonBenét Ramsey murder is really disturbing. Weird organisers, parents and attendees.

DipStick McSwindler · 24-05-2013 11:45am

This post has been deleted.

EuskalHerria · 24-05-2013 11:50am

This is ok only, and I mean only, if we get our own Honey Boo Boo out of it.

If that name means nothing then watch this.

http://youtu.be/Zoli_9sQU8s

My name is URL · 24-05-2013 12:21pm

To be fair, it's pretty harmless in and of itself. I mean, is it really much different from young kids taking part in Irish dancing competitions; where they're all dolled up with perms and covered in fake tan & asked to perform in front of a load of adults so they can be judged?

There's far far worse things kids could be doing than taking part in pageants. It only becomes creepy when parents begin to take it way too seriously and start to pressurise the kids.. then it turns into something completely different, and is no longer really about the kids. But that happens in all sorts of competition, be it dancing, sports or whatever else.

Yeah it's weird as shit to most, but it's not the cause for moral panic that some people would have you believe. How many parents say it sexualises children and rant on about it only to go out and buy their own kids Rhianna albums etc? People have a very narrow view of what is morally acceptable these days.

Cody Pomeray · 24-05-2013 12:26pm

"Royal"?

To be very blunt, is this not a white trash phenomenon?

SEPT 23 1989 · 24-05-2013 12:27pm

i blame the parents

NothingMan · 24-05-2013 12:30pm

Cody Pomeray wrote: »

"Royal"?

To be very blunt, is this not a white trash phenomenon?

Yep, and we have plenty of those...

murraykil · 24-05-2013 12:38pm

My name is URL wrote: »

To be fair, it's pretty harmless in and of itself. I mean, is it really much different from young kids taking part in Irish dancing competitions; where they're all dolled up with perms and covered in fake tan & asked to perform in front of a load of adults so they can be judged?

There's far far worse things kids could be doing than taking part in pageants. It only becomes creepy when parents begin to take it way too seriously and start to pressurise the kids.. then it turns into something completely different, and is no longer really about the kids. But that happens in all sorts of competition, be it dancing, sports or whatever else.

Yeah it's weird as shit to most, but it's not the cause for moral panic that some people would have you believe. How many parents say it sexualises children and rant on about it only to go out and buy their own kids Rhianna albums etc? People have a very narrow view of what is morally acceptable these days.

You make some good points. From seeing some of the shows it's more the adults in the whole thing that worry me.

Parents are teaching kids of 2 years old how to 'shake their ass' in front of adults for prizes.

Irish dancing for example is more a discipline of a craft and while you are right to say they are presenting themselves in front of an audience to be judged, I think Irish dancing will benefit the development of the child, both mentally and physically, while this pageant will possibly harm the child's mental development.

strobe · 24-05-2013 12:39pm

Don't be so heartless. How else are really really fat and ugly women supposed to make up for the fact that the cool girls in school wouldn't be their friends and the popular boys didn't want to kiss them, if not by tarting up their daughters in the hope someone will tell them they are prettier than other people's?

SEPT 23 1989 · 24-05-2013 12:40pm

strobe wrote: »

Don't be so heartless. How else are really really fat and ugly women supposed to make up for the fact that the cool girls in school wouldn't be their friends and the popular boys didn't want to kiss them, if not by tarting up their daughters in the hope someone will tell them they are prettier than other people's?

A lot of the aul ones are good looking