Pageant hopefuls hit back at critics

Irish mothers planning to enter their children into an American-style beauty pageant have hit back at critics, saying their daughters are looking forward “to being a princess for a day”.

The pageant, organised by Annette Hill of US company Universal Royalty, will be held at a top-secret location in Leinster later this month. The firm has been involved in the reality television shows Toddlers and Tiaras and Tiara Girls.

Charlene Meegan, who is entering her daughter Tori, 9, in the pageant said: “I don’t understand what is wrong. Every girl dreams of being a princess for a day and there are not many days in your life that happens. Maybe for your Holy Communion and for your wedding, so why not let her enjoy this?”

Tori said: “I have a ball gown and it is makes me look like a princess. It is all sparkly and pink.”

Charlene said Tori will have a fake tan and will have her make-up and hair done, adding: “For Irish dancing competitions, girls are having fake tans and wigs, so what is different?”

Tori’s friend, Kori-Lee Logue, 6, is also entering the pageant and is hoping to impress with her cowgirl outfit. Her mother, Aisling, said: “She will have a green cowboy hat, a green sequined top and skirt, and green on her cowboy boots. She will have bows in her hair.”

Both girls and their mothers are being filmed for a television programme about the pageants and will meet Eden Wood, 8, who has become one of the most successful American beauty pageant queens.

Eden is making a special guest appearance at the Irish pageant on Sept 21.

Aisling said: “When we would watch the pageants on the television Kori-Lee would ask if she could do one and now she can.”

Kori-Lee said: “I want to be famous when I grow up and have a big house with a swimming pool.”

Both mothers, who live in Clogherhead, Co Louth, have been dressing their daughters up since they were very small and say the experience is good for their self-confidence.

Lisa Rooney, from Co Monaghan, is also entering the pageant and the 13-year-old said: “Football is more child abuse than a pageant because you are putting your child out on a field where they could get injured.”

Her mum Louise said: “Lisa believes in looking classy and not trashy. We have done other pageants in Ireland and have never come across anyone who dressed inappropriately.

“Lisa will have her friends over and they spend hours working on her routine or her walk and they love it. Lisa loves fashion and is now interested in designing and making her own dresses.”

Pageant organiser Ms Hill is expected to appear on The Late Late Show on Sept 20 to talk about the event.

Still can't help but think of child pagaent JonBenét Ramsey - murdered. Don't destroy our kids. http://t.co/1FkBjvdJtL via @irishexaminer

— Angela King HPO (she/her) (@AngelaKing5) September 2, 2013