Can Child Beauty Pageants Launch a Modeling Career?

by Gail Browser
(Detroit, USA)

Ever wanted to be a model in a magazine or part of a commercial on television? Perhaps the best way to do that is to go to a modeling agency. Child Beauty Pageants can also do the same thing and launch a modeling career?

A lot of people say yes this can happen especially when there are many beauty pageant winners in the past that have been tapped to endorse various products on air.

Given that the beauty pageant is a modeling competition, some people we can mention who stared in such competitions are Sharon Stone, Liliani, Jackie Turner, Oprah Winfrey and Vanessa Williams.

Sharon Stone won Miss Pennsylvania when she was 17 years old. Two years later, she got to work for a modeling agency in New York and later on, she started landing roles in various films in Hollywood.

Both Liliani and Jackie Turner are former winners of Miss Great Britain and Miss England. Although they didn't get to work in films, they soon became UK glamour models.

Looking back at Sharon Stone's career, her beauty pageant and modeling experience helped jumpstart her modeling career. There are so many other names to mention who have also gone down the same path and although it may not have won them an Academy or an Oscar, it gave them the opportunity to show their stuff in a movie or a series.

Another celebrity who started her career thanks to joining a beauty contest is Oprah Winfrey. At the age of 18, she won the Miss Black Tennessee beauty pageant.

Later on, she became an anchor in a newscast, was given a role in the movie The Color Purple and we know her today as one of the most popular talk show hosts around.

One of the highlights of Miss America was having Vanessa Williams as the first black to win the event. Although controversy soon sparked because of nude photos in Penthouse Magazine, it wasn't long before she became one of the best R&B singers around with "Save the Best for Last" as the number one in 1992.

There are other winners of beauty pageants both big and small that we can name who started their career thanks to this contest. The point is that the pageant can open new doors for you.

The only thing you have to do is tryout and join one so people will take notice of you. Although you may not win in the beauty pageant, you will get to meet a lot of people like photographers, choreographers, agents and other individuals connected with the entertainment industry.

If they like you, they could give you an offer. No matter what the outcome is of the pageant they may still give you an offer similar to those who did not win the American Idol but were in the top 10 that now have record albums.

For this to work, you may have to take modeling classes and other talent workshops so you will learn about poise and other skills that will enhance your skills as a contestant for a beauty pageant.

If you don't win the first time, try out again because many of those who joined try out again the following year with hopes for a better outcome. When you look back at the past winners of Miss USA or Miss America, there are some who won the prestigious prize back to back.

But until that day comes, you will have to spend a lot of time and money. For instance, the entry fee in state beauty pageant may range from $1,000 to $1,500. If you cant afford that, perhaps you should join smaller competitions first.

Aside from the entry fees, you will also have to pay for your training, dresses and other miscellaneous fees which means there is a heavy price for stardom.

There is no doubt that pageants can launch a modeling career but you should not stop there. There are other opportunities that may come your way later on.

Again, you don't have to be the overall winner, as long as you keep your head up high, you may soon be an actress, a singer or a TV host.

Baby, Toddler and Child Beauty Pageants are fun and profitable for kids and parents when they are based on healthy competition and to build self confidence in boys and girls. Learn more about the pros and cons of child pageants and how to give your child the competitive edge and tips for how to become a child beauty contest winner at any age!