When deciding if your child should participate in beauty pageants, keep in mind that the only people that have to be OK with the decision is you, the parents, and of course the child, unless he/she is to young to have a say.
Thousands of children participate in beauty pageants every year. Many with hopes of becoming famous models or actors. This doesn't happen. But the child will come away with a sense of accomplishment and confidence if the parenting is done right.
The competition of pageantry is different for everyone. Many spend years with pageant coaches, dance lessons, singing lessons, and stage/interview training to try to acquire the top scholarships and prizes. Many are there because they think their child is adorable and love to win the trophy and sash.
Certain companies such as Hawaiian Tropic Kids boasts about their winners becoming top models. Beware, these competitions are not model searches. I have many years of experience with these and my daughter has won many titles. Modeling comes from hiring a manager or signing with an agent. Your child may gain confidence from the stage experience and training that will help them land the job, but being in HT or any other children's beauty pageant is not the reason your child gets signed. In fact most managers and agencies such as my daughter's frown upon even mentioning “pageant experience” on resumes. It's thought of as “yuck” in the entertainment industry.
Pageants and modeling are two very different worlds that almost meld together. They seem to go hand in hand, and once your child starts winning pageants and you start talking with other parents, you will slowly enter into the modeling/acting entertainment world. The fact of the matter is, these are different worlds with many children that have both interests. When some of these children are the same ones winning over and over, you will begin to see that they are the same families that have the time and money to enter many times and bring in a ton of money for the pageant system. Then if they have the right look, talent, and are in the right area, such as Los Angeles, these same children will become models, giving the pageant systems more to brag about. It's a circle.
If you are interested in pageants just remember that it's not a stepping stone to other bigger things. It is fun, you and your child will learn a lot and if you are very attentive to your child and remind them that everyone gets a chance to win, they will not feel bad about not being the Queen or King, but will appreciate the Princess or Prince trophy. They will gain stage experience and confidence. You will gain an ego about your pretty baby. But it does cost a lot. There are trainings, travel expenses, dresses, entry fees, and more.
If modeling is your or your child's interest, the first thing you do is look online or through the phone book for an agency. Not a talent school or scout that will charge you. The actual agency. There are many but the main areas for print models are San Francisco, L.A., New York. The last two being the main hub for commercials/acting. If you are not within a few hours of these places or able to get there with 24 hours notice, it's not worth it. Agencies will not charge you but they will expect you to have headshots and zed cards done. If someone charges you for anything else, run! Look for acting coaches or casting agencies that offer commercial and audition technique.
Never pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to any company that tells you your child has to do these things to get jobs. Entirely not true. When my daughter was 2 her manager only required we mail in a snapshot we took with our camera every 3 months with her work permit and updated size charts. These pictures were sent out through the agency she worked for and she landed many print ad jobs. The biggest problem is being at a “go see” or audition with no notice. If you are lucky you will be notified 24 hours early. It's truly a last minute industry and you have to pay for your own travel or expenses. You may visit 10 “go sees” before you are hired, but don't give up. There is nothing more exciting than seeing your child hanging in the Pottery Barn Kids store and in catalogues.
