Some Irish hotels have refused to host American style child beauty pageants, despite there being a demand for the events.
The Texas-based Universal Royal Beauty Pageant, is planning to host their first ever beauty contest in Ireland this November, the Evening Herald reports.
Former winners of the company’s beauty pageants have being featured on the controversial TLC show ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’.
Aging in range from toddlers to teenagers, participants typically wear false tan, heavy make-up, wigs, stockings, and high heels during their pageants.
Pageant chiefs claim they have been inundated by calls from more than 300 Irish parents who "are desperate for us to come to Ireland."
However, the organizers have had difficulty in finding a venue as they report hotels are concerned that protestors may interrupt the events.
Despite three hotels refusing to host the glitzy event, Annette Hill, the Texas-based owner of Universal Royalty Pageant, said she is confident an Irish pageant will go ahead this November.
Hill, who has 35 years industry experience, told the Herald: "It's proving very difficult to find a venue in a hotel.
"Three hotels I'd been talking to have cancelled, because they're worried about protesters turning up.
"It amazes me, because this is no big deal in America where pageants take place every day. But the media get on our backs as soon as we go outside America."
Hill added she intends to keep the venue location top secret and is planning on hiring a security team.
According to their website, Universal Royalty Pageants offers winners guaranteed cash and fantastic prizes.
“Every child receives a trophy. No one goes home empty handed,” the website states.
Watch a segment from Universal Royalty State Pageant that as featured on Toddlers & Tiaras:
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.MarybethC.P. | Jul 16, 2012, 09:05 AM EDT
I agree with YoungPike, below, that these toddler pageants are grotesque. But aren't they really the mirror-image of our own competitions, the Irish dancers' feisanna? In fact, the step-dancers are beginning to look - in costume, make-up, hair and fake tans - more and more like the Toddlers with tiaras, little girls who are a corss between Philadelphia Mummers and something much more uncouth.
YoungPike | Jul 13, 2012, 11:42 AM EDT
These pageants are grotesque and obscene, and I can't understand the mentality of parents who enter their children into such competitions. It's worse than dressing up your pet dog!
snakehips | Jul 12, 2012, 12:34 PM EDT
I don't blame these facilities at all. This program is the ultimate in perversion and expoitation of children,that we have ever had the displeasure of witnessing. The mothers of these children, who are usually plain and reubenesque with low self esteems, should be spanked for allowing their beautiful little kids to prance around like little hookers and Las Vegas Show Girls. Shame on them!
CoArmaghLady | Jul 12, 2012, 10:15 AM EDT
I applaud the Irish hotels which have refused to host such nonsense. I find it hard to comprehend why any responsible parent would wish to have their young child covered in make-up, dressed like a call-girl and prancing around a stage like a stripper.
esatdigiwank | Jul 12, 2012, 09:24 AM EDT
There is a glut of hotels (builder-developer hotels in crass retail villages), many of which must be struggling. They'll think nothing of hosting this for easy revenue. Misanthropic parents will be overjoyed that finally their Emilys and Jack Daniels will get the attention that was denied them in the creches!
bogsidebunny | Jul 12, 2012, 03:05 AM EDT
I really have to laugh at this. Huge numbers of 10 year old Irish kids binge drinking 5 nights a week, having sex, urinating and puking on sidewalks, taking drugs and fighting till the early morning hours in almost every town, village or hamlet and the sanctimonious Irish think they can B**ch-slap a beauty contest for young girls. Hypocracy on steroids!
occassio | Jul 11, 2012, 07:57 PM EDT
The common sense shown by these few hotels is truly refreshing. Annette Hill's comment that,"It amazes me, because this is no big deal in America..." speaks volumes. Foolishness in extremis, masquerading as a commercial enterprise. Is she amazed because these hotels choose to exhibit a modicum of common sense and want to preserve the dignity of children. At what point do we say, Stop?
passageyank | Jul 11, 2012, 07:18 PM EDT
"TODDLERS and TIARAS" brought to you by "PIMPS and PARENTS".
lkhannar1 | Jul 11, 2012, 06:34 PM EDT
At least someone has common sense. These people ae sick!! Should be banned everywhere.
canadianirish | Jul 11, 2012, 05:51 PM EDT
Absolutely sickening. Borders on child abuse in my mind.
merefalow | Jul 11, 2012, 05:50 PM EDT
ridiculous sexulisation of little children,to much pressure,should never be.
MichaelC | Jul 11, 2012, 03:25 PM EDT
Bravo to Irish hotels! Most Americans hate these type of pageants as well.
eiriamach | Jul 11, 2012, 03:04 PM EDT
Interesting that this video focused on minority children while in the pageant scenes are some little girls in big blonde wigs, dressed up and made up to look like Job Benet Ramsey. Pageant queen Jon Benet would be 21 now if she had not been brutally murdered in her upscale Colorado home in 1997 at the age of 6. Toddlers and tiaras are "bizarre," as her father, John Ramsey, said in recent understatement on Nightline.
clevelander | Jul 11, 2012, 02:40 PM EDT
Have you seen Irish Dance competitions lately? Not to far off the T&T with the makeup and hair. Thousands of Euro for a dress. Getting just as bad I think.
hybernia | Jul 11, 2012, 02:34 PM EDT
@ciaradexy Could not agree more with your comment.
ProudCanadian | Jul 11, 2012, 01:56 PM EDT
Good for the hotel, not to allow them in, this is surely child abuse at its best. These parents should be charged.
Searlit | Jul 11, 2012, 01:45 PM EDT
I don't watch this show either. I think it's child abuse. These children can't get their parents approval unless they fulfill their Mother's fantasies. I agree that it is a paedophiles dream. I'm glad the Irish Hotels don't want any part of this "event".
ciaradexy | Jul 11, 2012, 11:51 AM EDT
This sort of nonsense is a paedophiles dream.
Murph46 | Jul 11, 2012, 11:43 AM EDT
Ditto Sparklet!
Sparklet | Jul 11, 2012, 11:19 AM EDT
Good for them.
jamieLM | Jul 11, 2012, 10:53 AM EDT
@ballyhip, agree. I refuse to watch T & T. It makes me so angry to see how many of these mothers use their children to fulfill their own failed dreams. The amount of money they WASTE (THOUSANDS of $) dressing these little girls to make them look like miniature adults and the amount of attention they lavish on one child to the neglect of their husbands and other children just makes me sick. If I could, I'd outlaw them or change the format.
ballyhip | Jul 11, 2012, 10:21 AM EDT
Ms Hill is being disengenuous when she states, "It amazes me, because this is no big deal in America where pageants take place every day..." They are the target of many who recognize the silliness and downright danger to children. Not surprised that her company is based in Texas where they must lead the nation in cosmetic products and home of the Kilgore Rangerettes.