I consider this site an “oddities” blog, and I find few things as odd as the plastic, alarmingly precocious world of child beauty pageants.
Susan Anderson has a new exhibit at the Kopeikin Gallery featuring these mini beauty queens.
From the author bio:
High Glitz, is shot on location at several of America’s child beauty pageants. Setting up her studio amidst the colorful spectacle, she captures the young girls at the height of their performance. Hours of preparation are spent on each child’s appearance, and her camera records it all in graphic detail. Children’s pageants are a fascinating subculture, but more than anything they represent a strange microcosm of America itself. Our own values of beauty, success and glamour reflected in the dreams of thousands of young girls
I find myself struggling through a very strong reaction when I look at these photos. Childhood is the one time in life that should be (relatively) simple. Sometimes I long for the days before the dawn of self-consciousness, when I would never consider things like makeup or extravagant hairdos. The business of being a “woman” was far off on a distant horizon.
What unnerves me most of all is the vague sense of discomfort that seems to lurk beneath the phony smiles and “flippers” (prosthetic teeth designed especially to give small children that Hollywood smile).
Perhaps I’m highly misinformed and I’ll allow for that possibility. I can’t get myself to research the topic of child pageants (or watch those horrendous reality shows) for fear of breaking down in tears at the sight of lost innocence, extreme pressure, and of course…a very unnatural sexualization.
No one could pay me enough to do this to a grade school child:
To me, these poor creatures seem lost in space and time; children with adulthood painted on. They must suppress all the natural movements, drives and freedom of childhood for the sake of frozen expressions and perfect posture.
Sure, I loved to play dress-up as a kid (still do!). But it was all about imagination and fun. In these pageants, I never know where the will of the child begins and ends…perhaps the children themselves don’t even know.
See more from the photo exhibit here.
Or visit the photographer’s website.
Found here
SheWalksSoftly 
13 responses to “High Glitz”
That’s just sick for parents to put their child through this.
i think thier moms can do what ever they wont so you shouldnt be nasty comments
That little girl leaernd all those phrases verbatum from her mother. I certainly don’t think its funny to turn a 3 year old into a Diva’.I’m definitely of the mindset that these pageants are disgusting and ways for the Fat Mom’s to live vicariously through their daughters. And shame on the Fathers for allowing their daughters to by portrayed as miniature prostitues.
It’s more frightening than any Halloween theme I could ever come up with.
I watched a documentary about it once. Only got half way through the program and I couldn’t take it anymore.
I’m with ya Dana. These things always made me sick. I have an actual viseral reaction of disgust and anger whenever I see it.
Let’s sexualize and objectify girls who aren’t old enough for a bra. Yeah, what could possibly be wrong with that. I’m sure they’ll grow up to be totally well-adjusted adults with healthy self-esteem.
ohohohoohohhhhooooo it makes me happyjust to look at this psiotng!see > that row of hanger~filled prom dresses are those Yours or borrowed props?i ask because they look to be Heavywith Dreamsfor certain me?i couldOnly Dreamto walk in high heelsuch as that Missy is wearing Only Dream whilst i wear my gypsy cowgirl bootsOR my chuck taylorsOR my flip~flops Only Dream
Blegh. I’ve always hated these, they are disturbing and unfortunately I know people who have their children in these types of competitions.
After viewing these photos i am truly disgusted with the amount of make up these young girls have on, these young girls are younger than us (17) and i can honestly say i have never worn as much make up in all my life these girls have on!
You would think these young girls were much older than their years, i am 100% against these young girls’ “careers” they should have the life of a 6/7 year old, as they are, rather than being caked in make up and dressed up to the nines. These young kids are not supermodels! they need to live their lives!
Sincerely,
Alicia & Sophie
I know…I’m profoundly saddened by pageantry culture for small children.
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Oh my Tiffany . . . you are the sweetest!!! It was soooo great to see you at the show . . . aywlas love seeing your sweet smile and I have to say I am so very impressed with what you have been doing with your photography lately you are so talented . . . and it just keeps escalating!!!! So Very, Very, . . . Cool!!!Can’t wait for the jewelry class sooo excited!!xoxo liz. . . also the pictures are simply lovely is there a was to purchase a few? let me know!!
wow ang gaganda ng mga hairdos i love it…
Somehow I feel guilty for senieg these photos that are meant for her sweetie! But, I can’t help but appreciate the beauty that is in them these are great photos Tiffany and I’m sure her beloved is going to thank you personally! Oh to have known you back in my prime years when photos like these wouldn’t look so bad of me I would have to spend much too much time in the gym to even come close to the youngin you have in these photos! lol .See you soonxo Rochelle