- 6 weeks ago
Documentary, The Effects Of Growing Up As A Beauty Pageant Contestant Painted Babies
Painted Babies: Growing Up - BBC Four
Follow-up to Jane Treays's acclaimed 1995 documentary about child beauty pageants, Painted Babies, which centred on the rivalry between the parents of 4-year-olds Brooke Breedwell and Asia Mansur. Treays centres on the Darling Dolls of America Pageant in Texas and reveals the impact their intense early exposure to the pageant scene had on Brooke and Asia and what sort of young women they have become now that they are 17. She discovers that their lives couldn't be further apart.
Painted Babies: Growing Up - BBC Four
Follow-up to Jane Treays's acclaimed 1995 documentary about child beauty pageants, Painted Babies, which centred on the rivalry between the parents of 4-year-olds Brooke Breedwell and Asia Mansur. Treays centres on the Darling Dolls of America Pageant in Texas and reveals the impact their intense early exposure to the pageant scene had on Brooke and Asia and what sort of young women they have become now that they are 17. She discovers that their lives couldn't be further apart.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:06Ladies and gentlemen, your Supreme Queen, congratulations, number 51, Brooke Piedra.
00:16In 1995, we filmed two five-year-old girls competing for a $5,000 prize at Southern Charm,
00:24one of America's most prestigious beauty pageants.
00:32Brooke won the title, beating Asia into third place, leaving Brooke's family elated and Asia's bitterly disappointed.
00:43When someone does their best and they don't get what they deserve, that's bad, because she did not get what
00:49she deserved.
00:51The thing I'd like to say is that hold on to your dreams and never be a quitter, because quitters
00:56never win.
01:00The film caused shock and controversy for its portrayal of little girls in heavy make-up, dancing provocatively for lucrative
01:07prize money.
01:09We like to go for the money in the cars, or I like to win in money in cars, because
01:16my grandma really wants a car, and we really want money, money, money, money.
01:2712 years on, we've returned to America to discover what life's been like for Brooklyn Asia since the pageant,
01:33and to learn where they are now, and what their hopes are for the future.
01:57Asia is 17, and still lives in Louisiana.
02:01She graduates from high school next year, and she continues to compete in pageants, having started when she was nine
02:08months old.
02:10Some people, when they saw the film in Britain, thought that you were being made to dress up,
02:16that you were being made to look older than you were, that you were made to look a little bit
02:20sexy,
02:21and that it was provocative and inappropriate.
02:24Now, what's your response to that?
02:26Well, um, I just, I don't, I think that, you know, like I said, the kids love it.
02:31They love getting their hair and makeup done.
02:33It gives the little girls a chance to feel like they're a big kid, you know,
02:37and I like, you know, getting out there and having everybody look at me and watch what I can do,
02:42you know.
02:42I am Asian Marine Manager, thank you.
02:45Woo!
02:53But you didn't get to look just like a big kid.
02:55You got to look like a much older woman, and you were kind of shimmying around and sassing around,
03:00and, come on, baby, that's enough for the night.
03:02I mean, that was quite saucy.
03:04Well, um, it all goes with different songs, like your talent.
03:07I mean, each talent song has a different theme, and it's just, it's really cute, you know,
03:13for a little kid to try and, you know, pull that off, but the older the song is,
03:17the more, um, the more experienced you sound.
03:23Yay!
03:31I didn't think we would get addicted, but I really do.
03:35I really feel like, uh, that, uh, Kim and I and Grandmother and, and Nanny and Asia,
03:42you know, got addicted the very first time we, we went, when Asia was nine months old.
03:48We depend on a judge to pick Asia over other girls sometimes so that Asia can make more money.
03:55Yeah, we were addicted when she was little, but Patches has been good.
03:58She's won a cruise, you know, she's won a lot of money, and TVs, and trampolines, and, um, friends,
04:06all over the world.
04:08There have been many changes in Asia's life since we last filmed.
04:13Her family have moved house, and her parents are now divorced.
04:16Asia lives with her mother, Kim, and five brothers and sisters.
04:22This is my room.
04:23I share it with both my sisters, Treasurer and Shanae, and then this is my bed, and my
04:29corner, my little area.
04:31It's all neat.
04:32I make my bed up every morning, I promise.
04:34There's, I, I love stuffed animals, so that's a big thing.
04:38Um, I have purses and hats and everything.
04:42Uh, my, all my banners that I've won.
04:45All these are from the past two years, and my banners go along with, um, one, two, three,
04:50four, five, six, seven.
04:51So I've won eight titles in the past three years, two and a half, three years.
04:56So, um, I like this one because it's pink and black, and I love those two colors.
05:03So.
05:06Is it hard to wear a crown?
05:09Um, well, some heads are just made for crowns, I guess.
05:15In 1995, the cost of preparing Asia for a pageant with outfits, makeup, and entry fees
05:22was upwards of $2,000.
05:24Her hobbies include playing t-ball, babysitting, shopping, and swimming.
05:32Ladies and gentlemen, contests at number 47, Asia Mansour.
05:37Gosh, my baby, five years old.
05:41Um, just amazed how, um, outgoing she was, and not shy, and just got the wonderful attitude,
05:50and just happy-go-lucky, and she still is that.
05:53I got a brand new boyfriend, we went dumps off the deep end, flew out to L.A. for the
06:02weekend,
06:05spent the whole day lying on the beach, wearing nothing but a smile, playing kissy, kissy,
06:11smoochy, smoochy, talking mushy, mushy about nothing.
06:15Man, I think I'm on to something, you know, I feel just like a kid again, I got a brand
06:24new boyfriend.
06:26Hey, I need your help.
06:27It's now July 2007.
06:31Asia and her grandmother Marie are off to compete in a prestigious national pageant,
06:36the Darling Dolls of America, in Dallas.
06:39How do you fit it all in there?
06:41Baby, your gowns is in here, your clothes is in there.
06:45Ever since she was a baby, Marie has been the driving force behind Asia's pageant career,
06:50and very focused on the prizes.
06:54We do go for the money now, and they have cars, and as a matter of fact, in November in
06:59Kentucky,
07:00they're giving away, I think it's five cars.
07:03Asia is up, she could possibly win this car,
07:06because I think it's zero to four, or zero to five maybe,
07:10and she's got a real good shot at it, and grandmother needs a car.
07:13I'm packing tonight when I get home with all my...
07:15Asia and Marie are chasing the Darling Dolls' top prize of $10,000.
07:21To win that, you have to have the highest score in beauty, photo event, and two optional events,
07:26and Asia's going to do every one.
07:28We're going to do our best.
07:29I mean, they're going to have girls from all over the United States, and they're good too,
07:32so it's just, it's what the judges are seeing that day, because that's their opinion.
07:37Only their opinion.
07:38It's not my opinion, because she would win every time.
07:42Sitting in peace.
07:43Sitting in peace, trying to read my book.
07:47My baby gives me a special book.
07:50It's good.
07:51For Asia to win a pageant, even at five years old, required hours and hours of practice in grandmother's kitchen.
07:59A little bit, and then pick, and then da-da-da-da-da, uh-huh.
08:01Then practice that, and then pick it up, and just go on with your song,
08:04because it's hard to do without your music, okay?
08:07That's good.
08:07Mm, okay.
08:09They don't do that kind of dance anymore.
08:12They do the washing machine.
08:14Oh, yeah, you see that, that don't look like, uh, that, the-
08:18Mama turns on with the front porch lights, saying,
08:22Come in, darling, that's enough for the night.
08:24Sweet nothing.
08:27To be a winner, you have to have eye contact and stage presence.
08:32And beauty, of course, you've got to have a pretty face.
08:35You don't want an ugly queen, okay?
08:38But, but she, if she's got eye contact with the judges,
08:41you've got to play with the judges.
08:43And she can't help it, she's blessed.
08:45I mean, you know, some people aren't blessed, okay?
08:51When you say she's blessed, what do you mean?
08:53Jane, she's going to get me in trouble.
08:57Well, she just, she's got a good body.
09:00Let's just say the upper body, maybe, okay?
09:02And she likes that, too.
09:03So what am I going to say?
09:04I can't say anything about that,
09:07because she's going to get embarrassed.
09:10She doesn't like grandmother to talk like that.
09:21In 1995, Brooke Breedwell was Asia's main rival on the pageant circuit.
09:27Now 17, Brooke attends one of America's top boarding schools,
09:32Baylor School in Tennessee.
09:35Here she is, Brooke Breedwell, with Everything's Coming Up Roses.
09:39Woo!
09:40Honey, everything's coming up roses.
09:45At five, Brooke was already a veteran,
09:48having started pageants when she was one year old.
09:51Did you enjoy doing the pageants?
09:54Yes, I did.
09:55I enjoyed it very much.
09:56It might not have seemed like I did, but I really did.
09:59Like, the competition,
10:00I think the competition is what really, like, drove me,
10:02because when you're a little kid,
10:04you don't really think that you know what competition is,
10:06but I did.
10:07I would go in and be like,
10:08I'm going to beat these little girls.
10:10I'm going to do it.
10:11So I would go in with the confidence,
10:13and that's what's helped me in life today,
10:15just being confident,
10:15and I've learned that from the pageants, of course.
10:18We've got nothing to hit but the heart.
10:21You looked like you were concentrating quite hard
10:23when you were doing those routines.
10:24I don't know if you've ever, like, walked into a room
10:26and people will just stare at you, you know?
10:29That's kind of, like, something that makes me,
10:31I'm like, hmm, you know,
10:32that I'm being noticed,
10:34so that gives me, like, the drive to be like,
10:36you know, I can do this.
10:37I'm going to go, and I'm going to beat these girls,
10:39and I'm going to do what I know how to do to win.
10:43When we first filmed Brooke,
10:45she'd already won 75 titles.
10:50It's weird, you know,
10:51because I know not everyone's perfect,
10:53but to this day, like,
10:56I'll concentrate to do my best on everything,
10:58and I always want to be perfect.
10:59I'm a perfectionist, so...
11:01Thanks, coming up,
11:03roses for me and for you!
11:11Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
11:15Looking good on time.
11:17Brooke's mother, Pam,
11:18was fiercely ambitious in the pageants,
11:20even building her a practice stage in the spare room.
11:25You spend thousands on her clothes.
11:27I sure do.
11:28In her whole wardrobe,
11:29I have probably around $3,500.
11:31That's what I invest each year.
11:33What does Randy think of the money?
11:35Oh, he doesn't like me to spend a lot of money on it.
11:37He'd rather send me put it in the bank
11:39and let it draw interest for her education.
11:42But I feel like that this is an investment in her education
11:46because she's learning to sing
11:48and get up in front of people
11:50and have skills that will go with her the rest of her life.
11:53Drop.
11:54Look at the judge.
11:55Wink.
11:56Go, go, go.
12:00Yes.
12:01Good.
12:02I know it, but I forgot.
12:04You know my mouth runs.
12:06Okay.
12:06What did you love about the pageants?
12:08Probably the glamour, the beauty,
12:11something that we both were very passionate about.
12:13And we worked very hard to be winners.
12:16I mean, you can't just walk in and expect to win.
12:18It's something that you have to practice.
12:20You go to modeling lessons, voice lessons,
12:25having the right clothes,
12:27you know, having what it takes to win.
12:28And it's memories that will last forever.
12:31Go, Brooke.
12:33Go.
12:33My mom, I think she really wanted to push me
12:38and she really wanted me to be something
12:39that she wanted me to be.
12:41Oh, God.
12:43She used to bribe me.
12:44Like, she'd be like, okay, if you do really good,
12:46you know, I'll give you a prize.
12:48After every competition, I used to get prizes.
12:50So, I mean, I was a little bit bribed.
12:53I'm not going to lie.
12:55I remember when Brooke won a car
12:56when she was five years old as well.
12:59We came home that night
13:00with $7,000 in the car in cash.
13:03And that was just, oh, it was so exciting.
13:06And she did really, I mean, she knew,
13:09but she really didn't know, you know,
13:11what she had actually done, I don't think.
13:20And, Randy, what did you think of the pageants?
13:23Well, I was probably not as excited
13:25as they were about the pageants,
13:27but Brooke and I got to spend a lot of time together
13:28because I took her to the voice lessons a lot
13:31and the modern lessons, too.
13:33We did a lot of it as a family.
13:34But as far as I wasn't excited
13:36about the glamour, the competition,
13:39but they enjoyed it,
13:40so I didn't try to put a stop to anything.
13:43So I was, you know, their thing.
13:45I had my thing.
13:46They had their thing.
13:46So we were all happy.
13:49And now, contestants, if you would please
13:50give us your best smiles,
13:51turn around and face the judges one more time.
13:53Here they are, ladies and gentlemen,
13:54our beautiful, beautiful four-year-old contestants.
13:57Brooke's speciality was holding her smile
13:59in the beauty section.
14:02The secret to her smile,
14:03when she comes on stage,
14:04she has a beautiful smile.
14:06She does her step-step turn to the back,
14:08and she relaxes her smile by opening her mouth.
14:12And then she turns back around
14:14and displace it again.
14:16She can probably hold it for about 20 minutes.
14:24No, that's not it.
14:25Yeah, it's nearly it.
14:26Is it? I don't know.
14:27I don't know.
14:28But I don't do pageants anymore, so, I mean...
14:32Brooke stopped doing pageants
14:33when she was seven years old,
14:35by which time she'd won over $20,000.
14:39I've just had enough, I guess.
14:40I mean, we got to doing them pretty regularly, you know.
14:44So, I was just...
14:45I didn't want to do them anymore.
14:47Just tired of it.
14:48I was just burnt out.
14:50I've pretty much outgrown it all.
14:52You know, it's kind of for little kids,
14:54and once you get to this age,
14:56it's time to move on with your life
14:57and do, like, adult things.
15:00And I really like it.
15:02Change is good.
15:04Hallelujah!
15:06Hallelujah!
15:08Hallelujah!
15:09Hallelujah!
15:11Hallelujah!
15:14Hallelujah!
15:16Hallelujah!
15:16Hallelujah!
15:17Hallelujah!
15:17Brooke is now in her fourth year at Baylor School.
15:21It's a private, non-denominational day in boarding school,
15:24so I'm a boarder, though,
15:25because I live, like, an hour away,
15:26which isn't that far.
15:29But, I mean, still,
15:30it's too far to drive every day.
15:32Coming back to this, then,
15:34this principle I've tried to establish here,
15:35the same language.
15:36It's Egyptian the whole time,
15:37but late in antiquity,
15:40they basically stopped writing hieroglyphics.
15:44I think Brooke's probably developed
15:46into a very smart young woman.
15:48She's very confident.
15:50Dreyer thinks his discovery reveals
15:53that the earliest readable writing originated in...
15:56Probably something that's going to help her
15:57throughout her life from the pageants
15:59is the fact that she's able to get up
16:01in front of people with ease.
16:02And so, everybody wants to be...
16:05Number one!
16:07Okay, and scholars are, like, human beings.
16:09Whether you thought that...
16:10She pretty much, you know, is self-assertive.
16:13She knows what needs to be done at school.
16:15She studies hard.
16:17She stays very focused.
16:19Because what's being better?
16:20Number one first?
16:22Or, like, number two?
16:23I got there, but just a little later...
16:25I think Baylor has been wonderful for Brooke.
16:28I think it has helped her to develop
16:31into a very intelligent young lady.
16:42My parents sacrificed a lot, of course,
16:44so I could go because, I mean, it's not cheap.
16:46For boarders, it's $30,000 a year.
16:51I live in a dorm,
16:52so it's kind of like going to college four years early.
16:55And I really have enjoyed it a lot.
17:03This one's my bed.
17:05This is all my stuff over here.
17:06And that's my desk.
17:09And that's pretty much it.
17:11It's kind of little.
17:12Might not fit in.
17:13Whoop!
17:14And who's your friend?
17:15Oh, this is my friend, Kelly.
17:17Hi.
17:18And we dived together,
17:20and we're about to go to our diving meet,
17:21so, you know.
17:23Yeah.
17:25Why have you got the Dalai Lama?
17:28Because my roommate's in a class,
17:30and she went to see him yesterday or the other day,
17:32and she's, like, obsessed with him
17:33and brought a picture of him back.
17:35I'm glad she brought it.
17:36He's hot.
17:37He's hot.
17:39In a creepy, like, Dalai Lama kind of way.
17:42I kind of think so.
17:54OK, come on.
17:55Come on, Sage.
17:55Miss Elizabeth.
17:57Big smiles.
17:59Stop.
17:59Stop.
18:00Make your pretty feet.
18:01Come here.
18:01Pretty feet.
18:02Hands out.
18:03OK, look at your judges.
18:05Big smile.
18:06Step back around.
18:07Unlike Brooke,
18:08Asia is still obsessed with pageants,
18:10not only taking part,
18:12but tutoring young hopefuls from her neighbourhood.
18:16Asia's the little mama, so to speak, you know.
18:18She's the one I can depend on to watch the kids,
18:21if I need to go to the store,
18:21if I need to do this,
18:22or if I go somewhere,
18:23or if I go on a date, you know.
18:25I'm going, I'll watch them, you know.
18:27And then she watches, she takes care of them.
18:29Turn back around with a big smile.
18:30Look at the judges.
18:32Turn around.
18:33Look at the judges.
18:34Elizabeth is three
18:34and will be going with Asia
18:36to the Darling Dolls pageant in Dallas.
18:39Make pretty eyes.
18:40Look at them out there.
18:41Look at the judges.
18:42Keep smiling.
18:43Remember, pick your head up.
18:44Thank you, Miss Elizabeth.
18:47Before she goes to the Darling Dolls pageant,
18:50Asia is adding another 12 inches to her hair
18:53at a cost of over $100,
18:55paid for by grandmother.
18:57And grandmother said make sure
18:58we good the ends really, really good.
19:01You said to me a while ago
19:02that you've got more opinions
19:04about your appearance in the pageants now.
19:08What do you and grandma have discussions about?
19:12I have to feel comfortable with what I'm wearing
19:14because I do better.
19:15If I like what I'm wearing,
19:16if I'm comfortable with my routine,
19:18if I can go up there
19:19and I feel good about myself,
19:21then I'll do so much better.
19:22You know, but if I'm, you know,
19:24if she's going to be like,
19:24well, you have to wear this,
19:26I won't do as good.
19:27But it's all about feeling good
19:28and feeling comfortable.
19:29And if I like what I'm wearing,
19:31if I, you know, enjoy it,
19:33then I'll do a lot better.
19:35I'm not scared to compete against anybody.
19:37You know, I just, I want to go out there,
19:39have fun, do my thing,
19:40and hopefully it'll be good.
19:43Kim, that's your water.
19:44You want to bring it?
19:45It's a, it's broke.
19:46Asia's flying to the Darling Dolls pageant
19:48with Grandmother Marie,
19:50Mother Kim,
19:51and her younger sister, Treasure.
19:53Airport, here we go.
19:59Woo!
20:23Pageants are like a land that time forgot.
20:25Very little has changed.
20:28The Darling Dolls of America pageant in 2007
20:31was much the same as Southern Charm in 1995.
20:35A tad more makeup,
20:36just as many rhinestones,
20:38and even the same master of ceremonies,
20:41Tim Whitmer.
20:42There's all my kisses
20:45after bedtime prayers
20:47Sticking little white flowers
20:51Up in here
20:56Know how much I love you today
20:58First and foremost, I love kids.
21:00I do love kids,
21:01and I'm treating them as special as they are.
21:04There's a lot of emcees out there,
21:06but I've been able to get this little niche down
21:09of this singing and serenading to the contestants,
21:12what's given them an opportunity to feel special.
21:15It's something I've done since the very first day,
21:1720 years ago,
21:18and somehow, that little extra connection,
21:21whether it's five seconds, ten seconds,
21:23whatever it is,
21:24it has given me an opportunity
21:25to connect and make that time
21:27with that contestant feel special.
21:32Human tears
21:36America
21:39America
21:42God shed His grace
21:45Once again, contestants,
21:46thanks for doing such a fabulous job,
21:4810 to 11,
21:49looking awesome for us here,
21:51no doubt.
21:52Now, I want to keep in mind, folks,
21:53here, we're going to welcome these girls
21:54back up to the stage here.
21:56They'll have up to 90 seconds on stage.
21:58She didn't get to see how pretty you are.
22:00Good job.
22:03All right.
22:03Are you smiling?
22:05It's wobbly on the bed, huh?
22:07What do you want to do?
22:09Hey, don't forget to smile big in the judges, okay?
22:11I smile.
22:12You smile big?
22:13Mm-hmm.
22:15Make pretty eyes at them.
22:17Are you going to blow them a kiss?
22:19Huh?
22:20Are you going to blow them a kiss?
22:22Mom, I want to kiss them.
22:24Okay, just a minute.
22:25You want what?
22:26Kiss them.
22:27You want the doll?
22:28Here, you want to hold this?
22:29I'm going to help you get the doll dressed.
22:30Okay, let me put your belt on.
22:31I'm going to let Asia get you dressed.
22:33Does this take you back, Asia?
22:35Um, I didn't have as pretty as dresses when I was little.
22:38We just had those simple little dresses,
22:40and everybody didn't care.
22:41We just went on stage,
22:42and I miss being little.
22:43I really do.
22:51Everybody, line up!
22:52Line up!
22:53Line up!
22:53Line up!
22:54The show is about to start!
22:56About to start!
22:58Everybody, line up!
22:59Everybody, line up!
23:00Line up!
23:01Line up!
23:01Line up!
23:01The show is about to start!
23:03There's nothing wrong with being proud of your child,
23:06and we have one particular child that's competing this weekend.
23:09I think she's now 10 or 11 years old.
23:11I've known this baby, a child, since she was a baby,
23:15and has continually competed to this age group.
23:18Now, she has won tens of thousands of dollars.
23:21I mean, if I could just sit somehow and do the math,
23:24you know, it would be mind-boggling to the success of this child.
23:40The darling doll's pageant lasts for three days and attracts contestants from all over the country.
23:45It's one of hundreds taking place in the USA every summer.
23:52Families pay high entry fees, which are converted into prize money.
23:58What's the biggest sum you've ever seen awarded to a child?
24:01Well, the largest sum would be a $10,000 by to one particular child.
24:05We're getting ready to do one here in four months where we're going to be giving away four cars.
24:17Only parents, mainly mothers, attend.
24:20No outsiders are allowed.
24:23Girls often perform to judges, their mothers, and empty seats,
24:26as other contestants disappear for costume changes and fresh make-up.
24:49Because I'm blonde, I don't have to think.
24:53I talk like a baby and I never take a drink.
24:55I don't have to worry about getting a man
24:58if I keep this blonde and I keep this tan
25:01because I'm a blonde, yeah, yeah, yeah.
25:04Because I'm a blonde, yeah, yeah, yeah.
25:07I see people working and it just makes me giggle
25:10because I don't have to work.
25:11I just have to wiggle because I'm a blonde, yeah, yeah, yeah.
25:17I see girls without dates and I feel sorry for them
25:20whenever I'm around.
25:22All the boys ignore them
25:23because I'm a blonde, like, for sure.
25:29They say to make it, you need talent and ambition.
25:32I have a TV show and this is my audition.
25:35Wait, what was it?
25:36Don't tell me.
25:37I got this.
25:38Uh, oh yeah.
25:40I'm a blonde, yeah, yeah, yeah.
25:43Because I'm a blonde, yeah, yeah, yeah.
25:46You've got to be still.
25:48It's true, blondes do have more blonde.
25:50I know you're raising up the hair, ain't you?
25:51Because I'm a blonde, yeah, yeah, yeah.
25:54Very good.
25:55I don't know how low to put it.
25:56That's why I'm asking y'all.
25:57Y'all can see.
25:58I can't see.
26:14I haven't seen Asia since the last pageant.
26:18Have you heard what she's doing?
26:19Uh-uh.
26:20I haven't heard anything from her or anyone,
26:24especially since I quit.
26:27Where do you think you'll end up living as an adult?
26:29I don't know, you know.
26:30I've been trying to think about that and I don't know.
26:32I think basically just wherever, like, my work takes me
26:35or, like, my husband.
26:37I'm not going to move for my husband.
26:39I don't want to do that.
26:39But I don't know.
26:41I want to live in something bigger than Athens
26:43because it's just way too little for my liking.
26:47Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
26:50Now I wonder what you are.
26:54What you are.
26:56What you are.
26:57What you are.
27:00Put a lot of miles on my vehicle,
27:02traveling to voice and modeling lessons
27:04and also going to pageants.
27:06We just got back from a pageant.
27:07It's one of the biggest pageants in the United States.
27:10It's held in Daytona Beach.
27:12Looking back on it, what did you think of the film?
27:14Well, I mean, I look mean in it, of course,
27:17but, I mean, I was just a little girl.
27:19I had an attitude, of course.
27:20I mean, I couldn't help it.
27:21I mean, I was, there was pressure.
27:25There was, there was every, you know,
27:26it wasn't a normal habitat to be in, of course.
27:29But I think I handled it the best I could,
27:33and I've grown a lot from it, realizing my behavior and everything.
27:36Are you enjoying the pageant?
27:38Yes.
27:42Do you think you've won the talent?
27:45I don't know.
27:49What do you like best about pageants?
27:53Westernware.
28:02During the school holidays, Brooke works at a local steakhouse.
28:10Do you want mushroom, gravy, or peppers, and onions?
28:13Salad.
28:14Okay.
28:15It's really confusing, actually.
28:16Like, you go through a line and you order your drink
28:19and you order your food,
28:21but then you go sit down and your waitress brings you the food.
28:24So I, like, fix drinks and take orders, basically.
28:28Any sauce?
28:30How much did you learn an hour?
28:31Only $6 an hour, but, I mean, it's only my first job
28:35in the real world, I guess.
28:37So I'll take it.
28:39And have you learned anything from it?
28:42Yeah, I mean, I've learned
28:44that you shouldn't be rude to restaurant workers
28:48because it's not their fault.
28:52Yeah, definitely I'm a strongman.
28:54And now, ladies and gentlemen,
28:55please welcome to the stage number 179.
28:59Number 179.
29:01There we go.
29:01Here is Asia.
29:03There you go, girl.
29:04You go, girl.
29:05I got a brand new boyfriend.
29:09We went jumps off the deep end
29:12Throughout the L.A. for the weekend
29:16Spent the whole day lying on the beach
29:19Wearing nothing but a smile
29:21Playing kissy, kissy, smoochy, smoochy
29:23Talking mushy, mushy about the lurches
29:27What do you think of her?
29:29Can I say the wow factor?
29:31The wow factor.
29:32Is she a strong contender?
29:34I would say absolutely she's strong.
29:37You know, in my mind, you know, somebody who starts younger
29:39and works their way through their years in competition
29:43only fine tunes their craft
29:44so they can work the judges even more, you know,
29:47and be prepared for most any situation.
29:50Yeah, baby, he's saying
29:52He's here at wedding bells and making plans
29:55He's gonna hang around the world like this
29:59But he ain't even told me he'd love me yet
30:01I got a brand new boyfriend
30:09Good job!
30:11Hey, yeah, girl!
30:15Hey, yeah, girl, I'm so good, good, great
30:21Yep, what'd you think?
30:22She was awesome
30:23I've never seen her before
30:24I've never seen her do that talent before at all
30:26Good job
30:28Okay, we've got to go change now
30:30Okay, we've got to change
30:31I have to go
30:32Calm down
30:33Oh, my God, here she goes
30:35Dressing again
30:37We're gonna go change
30:39We'll be back
30:40She did good
30:41She got into it
30:42In 1995, the third member of Asia's team
30:46was her father, Boo
30:48Three girls, three or four, isn't it?
30:50Yes, it is
30:51See, grandmother
30:52Do not count on them running late
30:53Starts at 1.15
30:54No, ours is supposed to start at 1.15
30:57Were you and Boo happy?
30:58Yeah, I thought we were very happy
31:00We had a great family and a great life
31:01You know, being involved with the children
31:03and doing things with them
31:06But as, I guess, life takes you down a different road sometimes
31:10And he left us in 2005
31:14And then I found out that there was someone else who was involved
31:18Well, my dad left
31:20No other way to say it
31:23He just walked out on six children and his wife and his family
31:27And remarried ten months later
31:31So, it's been hard
31:33You know, I've always been Daddy's little girl
31:35But things change
31:38I miss him, but, you know, he's moved on
31:40And so do we
31:45She knows he's done really wrong to the children
31:47You know, to us as a family
31:49And to them as individuals
31:51You know, as them
31:52As his children
31:56It wasn't right, you know
31:58Because we're a family
31:59And he just tore it apart
32:01And he married so soon afterwards
32:03Ten months after he got
32:04He left home
32:06So that was devastating too, you see
32:10That's why she's so stressed
32:12Are you stressed?
32:14She went through a hard time
32:16She really did
32:16She had it rough
32:18She was having really major anxiety attacks
32:22It upsets me
32:23You know, it makes me mad
32:24That, you know, he doesn't want to be a part of our life anymore
32:28But the love, you know, it's all
32:30You know, he's still your dad
32:31You know
32:33Do you see him?
32:35I don't know
32:36It's been over a year
32:37I haven't seen my dad in, you know, almost two years
32:41So
32:42Do you hear from him?
32:45No contact whatsoever
32:47Nothing
32:49Nothing Christmas, nothing
32:51Nothing birthdays
32:52Do you think that'll ever change?
32:53I don't know
32:54The state has a restraining order on him
32:56So
32:58For all the stuff that he
33:01Mentally and physically done to us
33:02So
33:04I don't know
33:05It was very bad
33:06I don't know how much
33:07I don't know how much
33:08That's going to change
33:09Or when it's going to change
33:16I try to hide it
33:17You know
33:17To be strong for everybody else
33:19But
33:19It hurts
33:20It really does
33:22So
33:25Do you have a number you could call?
33:27Mm-mm
33:29I don't know
33:30I don't know where he's at or anything
33:32So
33:45I don't have your number
33:47They're going to give you another one
33:49Pressure is mounting before the all-important beauty section
33:52In which Asia expects to score highly
33:55Why'd you get off on the floor?
33:56You wouldn't get my number
33:57I went to find your jewelry, Asia
33:59Your mama wears the jewelry
34:01Where's the bracelet?
34:02I got it
34:02I have everything
34:03That's why you got off on the floor
34:04To get my number
34:05Give me a piece of paper
34:06No
34:07No, yes you do
34:08Give me a piece of paper
34:09I don't have any paper
34:10All the other girls even here
34:12No
34:13We told them we would wait
34:14Well, wait
34:15Yeah, but
34:16But
34:17Everybody's going on, though
34:18Just you go on
34:19What's your number, Asia?
34:21179
34:23All the girls
34:24We were all going to say
34:25We all said that we were going to wait
34:26For everybody to get down here
34:27But nobody's on time
34:28And they're about to go on
34:29And we don't know
34:30If we're going to wait for them or not
34:32I need a pen
34:33They said they were on the way down
34:34I need a pen
34:37Do y'all have a pen?
34:39A clip or something
34:40I got a clip of a number
34:40I don't have a number
34:42How are you feeling?
34:43I'm nervous
34:44I need a pen
34:45Because I know I would want
34:46Them to wait for me
34:47If I was running
34:47Our hair and makeup dresser
34:49Did everybody in our group
34:50Almost everybody in our group
34:51And now
34:52There's a couple girls left behind
34:54And they're about to go on
34:55Ladies and gentlemen
34:55It is an absolute pleasure
34:56To take this opportunity
34:57To welcome to the National Stage
34:59Our following category
35:00For beauty competition
35:01And now welcome to the Darling Doll
35:03National Stage
35:04You're not ready
35:05To go on stage
35:06You're not ready
35:07To go on stage
35:08Trust me
35:08Number 175
35:09Here is Jessica
35:16The earrings are not working
35:18You need some different kind of earrings
35:20I'm telling you
35:21If they've got
35:22I don't have any
35:23Mrs. Glendon
35:24She'll let
35:25Those green eyes
35:26Now she loves the color
35:28Barbie pink
35:29Favorite food choices
35:30Include ice cream
35:31With sprinkles
35:34Oh, Glendon
35:36Let me rent a pair of earrings
35:38This is so stupid
35:40Huh?
35:41Shit
35:42Okay, find me
35:43A pretty big pair
35:44Of earrings
35:45She's just not ready
35:48That's it
35:49Is a little swimming
35:51Paintballing
35:51Spending time
35:52With her friends
35:53Hanging out
35:57Yeah, look
35:58Doesn't it
35:59Pretty look
36:01How about these?
36:02Is that too trashy?
36:05Do these look okay?
36:06Those are
36:07I love
36:08They're
36:09Like a door knob
36:10Door drops
36:11They're beautiful
36:12I need to walk forward
36:14Are you enjoying yourself?
36:16Oh, I'm having a blast
36:17And I feel my blood flow
36:22With you I will bring out
36:27All this love I have
36:31With you there's a heaven
36:35So old things
36:38So bad
36:40Yeah
36:44Good job baby
36:46Good job baby
36:48Tell me
36:54When when our eyes meet, when can I touch you?
37:02Ladies and gentlemen, give our beautiful ladies and gentlemen a second to the empty
37:08measure!
37:14She's beautiful.
37:16I just remember she was fine back on stage last time.
37:20You know, just Tim was singing to them and her on stage again.
37:24It just brings back good memories.
37:45With an ambition to own all the Toys R Us stores, ladies and gentlemen contested number 51, this is Brooke
37:51Freedwell.
37:54Her hobbies include modelling, singing and dancing.
38:00By the time Brooke gave up pageants, she'd won over a hundred crowns.
38:05Her grandmother Bunny keeps them in a special trophy room at home.
38:10She was so smart.
38:12She could pick up on things so easily, like the modelling and the singing.
38:17She could just memorise so well.
38:19And she was pretty patient considering, you know, all the changes you had to make.
38:25And there were times she was just a little girl that she would get, you know, a little agitated.
38:29But otherwise, she was fine.
38:31After things, the competition was over, she was ready to play.
38:36She loved getting her hair done when she was that age.
38:39She would play beauty shops.
38:40She would bring her dolls down here.
38:42And a lot of them don't have any hair because she fit their hair.
38:44Do you think you pushed her?
38:47I don't think we pushed her, but I do think that there would have been times
38:51that she might not have wanted to go if we hadn't encouraged it.
38:55I know, but I don't like this hairspray.
38:58I know, that's the only thing in it, honey, is that hairspray.
39:01I remember I always got mad at her for being bossy to me.
39:04Like to show out in western wear?
39:05But I liked her being there because I couldn't handle my mom.
39:08So, she was a good medium between us.
39:11Keep your model stances in tight and show a lot of projection
39:14Brooke was a much-longed-for only child.
39:17Her mother suffered several miscarriages before she was born.
39:21I'd had a hard time getting pregnant, staying pregnant.
39:24So, when we had Brooke, it was like she was, you know,
39:27the greatest thing in the world.
39:28And both grandparents, she was, you know, the girl on both sides.
39:32And we pretty much spoiled her from both sides,
39:35from the grandparents to us as well.
39:38Well, Pam had actually almost given up on having any children at all.
39:41She'd had so much trouble.
39:42It was kind of ironic at the time.
39:45Her dad had suffered a heart attack and almost died.
39:48And it was like within the next week, we found that she was pregnant with Brooke.
39:52And it seemed like, you know, it was just a blessing, I guess.
40:00Brooke has a younger brother, Blake, who was born when she was seven.
40:04I'm just kidding.
40:05That's always, that's what happened to me, see?
40:08He's an epileptic, and he also suffers with what they call apraxia.
40:12Go, Troy. Troy.
40:13Words form in his brain, but they have trouble communicating to his mouth,
40:17and he has trouble communicating like that.
40:19He's making improvements, but his speech may never be actually normal,
40:24but he's able to communicate pretty good.
40:26My name is Blake Braidwell.
40:28My sister's name is Brookie.
40:30What?
40:31I know.
40:32Everyone knows what my name is.
40:34No?
40:35I just want to write it.
40:36Okay, I'll write it.
40:37He really struggles in school.
40:40Like, he's repeated like a few grades twice.
40:44He can't learn.
40:45He just can't remember things.
40:46It's hard for him.
40:49You think I look pretty?
40:50Well, that's nice.
40:52We just try to deal with it the best that we can and accept him for what he is
40:56and love him regardless.
40:59Yeah, you keep hoping for the best, and that's all you can do.
41:07After Blake was born, there was less time for pageants.
41:11Do you feel that he's helped you grow as people and extend as people?
41:14Oh, yeah.
41:15Oh, yeah.
41:16You look at people different.
41:18You really do.
41:19You know, and that's one thing I worry about him,
41:21is how people outside the family will judge him.
41:25Every day, like, he'll sometimes just come home and cry
41:27because he doesn't have any friends or, like, because he tries.
41:30He does.
41:31He tries hard.
41:32Like, he studies, like, every day.
41:34My dad makes him do his homework.
41:35You know, he'll sit down and just cry because he can't do it
41:37and he can't remember it, and it's really sad.
41:40Has it made you compassionate?
41:42It has.
41:43Having my brother with that learning disability has really made me want to help others more.
41:47hear it.
42:14Hear it.
42:27It's not going to work, but she's not going to be able to put her body around it.
42:39That should have been the easiest thing in the world to put on.
42:44Watch the...
42:46I put some...
42:48Have we tried this on before?
42:49Oh, it fits. It fits. We just pulled it over the head.
42:54You know the flat steel stands for freedom.
42:57And they can't take that away.
43:01And I'm proud to be an American.
43:08Well, at least I know I'm free.
43:12I won't forget the men who died and gave that right to me.
43:18And I proudly stand up next to you.
43:23Wait a minute. I'm taking it all out.
43:26No, no, no.
43:26It's all uneven. As you can't get your butt on it, you're going to tear.
43:31God bless the USA.
43:38God bless the USA.
43:41I, being somebody who has served in the military and who has friends that are still serving in the country
43:48and enduring our situation of war at this time, we make it, what you might say, excuse me, I get
43:55a little choked up here because, you know, this is real, I'm sorry, you kind of hit a little, I'm
44:00sorry about that.
44:01But we stand and we say, hey, yeah.
44:06Well, I'm going to be late.
44:08Well, you're going to be late.
44:09If you weren't trying to do two or three things at one time and let's get one thing done at
44:13the time, we wouldn't have to go through all this. Okay.
44:15And I won't forget the men who died.
44:18Sometimes I have to avoid turning on the television because we've got people out here in our pageant world who
44:29have their mothers and their brothers and sisters and things like that.
44:35And I just know one in particular hasn't returned and lost their lives.
44:39You have to lace it tighter than that.
44:40I know, baby.
44:41I'm trying.
44:42Well, thinking.
44:42Aisha, if you ever get married, please don't get one of these bags.
44:45What do you think of the troops being in Iraq?
44:48It's scary.
44:49I have friends and, you know, some of them are in the military and in the Marines and stuff.
44:54Just keep on pulling it tight.
44:55It's a scary thing.
44:56I mean, you don't realize how many young kids are going out there.
44:59I mean, 17-year-old kids dying, you know, fighting for our country.
45:03Pull it tight.
45:04I did, Mama.
45:05Okay, that's good.
45:06Tie it.
45:06Tie it in a bow.
45:08Let's go, yeah.
45:09Let's go.
45:10Okay.
45:11And we got to take myself up, too.
45:12We will.
45:13Aisha, look up here.
45:15I don't need to get the bottom.
45:17We, um...
45:18Come on, bring the camera.
45:19Come on, let's go.
45:21Pull your skirt up.
45:25America.
45:27Land that I love.
45:34Stand beside her.
45:36And guide her.
45:38And guide her through the night with a light from above.
45:51From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam.
46:06I want to.
46:11I can't.
46:12I can't.
46:12My arms hurt.
46:13That's why I'm not leaving.
46:15You're back.
46:16You told us where to go.
46:20Treasure.
46:21Treasure.
46:29Oh, God bless America, land that alone, stand beside her and guide her through the
46:50light with a light from above.
46:56From the mountains, to the plains, to the plains, to the oceans.
47:08Ladies and gentlemen, once again, number 179, Asia.
47:12Thank you, Asia.
47:12Bless America.
47:18And now, finishing up our spectacular age category here, let's welcome to the stage number
47:24180.
47:25Here is Hannah.
47:31It's Hannah.
47:44Oh, look at the lineup.
47:46Gosh, look at the competition.
47:51Must have been memorable.
47:52Oh, look those earrings.
47:53Woo!
47:54Like buttons off the couch.
47:58The secret to her smile, when she comes on stage, she has a beautiful smile.
48:03She does her step, step back.
48:05I don't want to watch.
48:05And she relaxes her smile by opening her mouth.
48:09Oh.
48:09Oh, God.
48:11You didn't realize you did all that.
48:13And then she goes back to show business still.
48:14Look in your best.
48:15Because the smile is more prominent.
48:17Lord, do I have to quit talking.
48:20Why didn't y'all tell me to shut up?
48:22Don't talk so.
48:23Oh.
48:23But I'm going to take these back about two days before competition.
48:27I'll tell you, darling, Sandra, look at that.
48:31Oh, God.
48:32You should have been out of the water.
48:35Watch this.
48:36What you're doing.
48:38My mom looks like she's at Revival.
48:48So what is it like seeing it again?
48:51It was fun.
48:52It was fun.
48:53A lot of good members.
48:54And I talked way too much.
48:56And if you can't laugh at yourself, you know, that's the part of life.
49:00If you can't laugh at yourself, you can get through life with anything happening to you.
49:14Let's go Baylor!
49:16Come on, come on, pump it up, pump it up!
49:19Let's go Baylor!
49:22Come on, come on, pump it up, pump it up!
49:27She's still very determined.
49:29She's stubborn.
49:30Strong-willed.
49:31Yeah, she's still very stubborn.
49:32She's her own person, really.
49:33But I think pageants did help her to get over some of her shyness because she was very shy.
49:39And when she lost the pageant, especially when she was younger, it didn't bother her.
49:43But as she got older, she tried harder, you know, for the next one.
49:48She was very competitive, though, even as a little girl because she knew when she was perfect
49:53and she knew when she didn't do her best.
49:56Because whether we like it or not, we compete in everything we do, our jobs and everyday life.
50:03We really do.
50:04Sometimes it's better to lose than win because you work a lot harder the next time.
50:08And, you know, there's a saying, a winner never quits and a loser never wins.
50:13And I said that, I think, in the last video.
50:15And that's true in life.
50:17I mean, we can't just stay idle.
50:20I think we always have to read and learn and grow.
50:23Read, learn, and grow.
50:24I really do.
50:48Have you been in love, Brooke?
50:50Have I been in love?
50:51Um, maybe?
50:55I'm not sure.
50:57I don't know.
50:59I've told a boy I loved him before, if that's what you mean.
51:04Did you mean it?
51:06I guess I did, yeah, at the time.
51:09I still love him, but not as, like, in the same way, you know what I mean?
51:14I know I can't die.
51:29It's the homecoming ball at Baylor School tonight.
51:32And Brooke is going with her friend, Kelly.
51:35I know.
51:35You too, you always do.
51:36I've gone to school with these same guys for four years.
51:39I don't really want to date down a grade, because that's not good.
51:42And plus, I'm about to go away to college.
51:44There's no use in getting attached to a boy.
51:46So I'm just going to go with, like, a group of friends and dance with everyone.
51:50It's a way to go anyway, you know, get to dance with everyone instead of just one person.
51:53That's not fun.
51:54Break that soul, the boy, the superman, that's all I want in you.
51:59Break that soul, I want in you.
52:01Break that soul, I want in you.
52:02Break that soul, I want in you.
52:02Break that soul, I want in you.
52:04I'm too fresh, I'm beating.
52:05I'll be glad you, I'll be glad you, I'll be glad you, I'll be glad you.
52:12Oh, that don't have to be nothing.
52:14You're going to wear that headband and the hair for that, you're just going to let it look.
52:19We're going to put funky hair in it, make it look funky.
52:24And if they don't like that, oh well.
52:26It's their loss.
52:28You gave it all you had, that's all I can say.
52:32I'm proud of you.
52:33Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.
52:45Here we go!
52:49It's the last day of the beauty pageant and time for crowning.
52:58I'm not Santa Claus, but when you can give somebody $10,000 or even $5,000, a beautiful
53:05crown and you can see sometimes, I'm not saying every kid has to cry to feel like they've won
53:09their crown, but it is achievement, it's a goal that they were out for.
53:17Asia is up for the main prize of $10,000.
53:22Is that like Supreme Queen 12 years ago?
53:25More money, but yeah, it's the same thing, the biggest title there is and it's really exciting
53:31and I can't wait to see who wins.
53:33Ladies and gentlemen, may we have your attention please.
53:40It's so energetic and you can't hold still, you don't know what's going to happen.
53:44You know, you're shaking and you're nervous and you're just like, oh, I wonder who you're
53:47going to call.
53:48It's just, it's hard to keep still because your mind's going 90 to nothing.
53:53Your 2007 Ultimate Grand Supreme is, is Hannah Douglas!
54:05Hannah, congratulations, you've just won a $10,000 line.
54:12You are the ultimate Grand Supreme winner!
54:33Lifetime Queen Brooklyn Neon, Lifetime Queen McKayla Nance, Lifetime Queen Sarah Russell, Lifetime Queen Carly Schindler, Lifetime Queen Tesseree Simmons,
54:450-5 overall, American dollar bear, Lady Latte, Super Amateur Supreme, Alexei Bordeaux, 49 dollar...
54:54Asia won a crown for the pro-am section.
54:57Instead of the $10,000, she won $125.
55:03Elizabeth also won $125 for best casual outfit.
55:080,5%.
55:38That's what I can do.
55:40Heck yeah, we'll do it again.
55:42Could do it tomorrow if we had a chance.
55:44I'd get, nah, let's give us a few days.
55:46It's time to go home and regroup.
55:50But we won't be doing anything anytime soon, I don't think.
55:54No, I'm not disappointed because everybody,
55:56I mean, and Asia's group was wonderful.
55:58They were really good.
55:59This pageant was an awesome weekend.
56:01They had a lot, a lot of competition.
56:04And Asia did good.
56:05I thought she did really well in Pro-Am,
56:08as well as the other events she did.
56:10But so did everybody else.
56:12I was a little upset that I, you know,
56:13I wasn't going to get the big thing that I wanted,
56:15but I knew that there was still a chance
56:16that I'd have another title because it wasn't over.
56:19So, you know, when I got it, I was definitely surprised.
56:21But, you know, I'm happy.
56:24You know, pageants are always going to be with me,
56:25so, you know, there's always a chance.
56:27I'll be back.
56:42So, do you miss those days?
56:43Do you miss the days of going off and doing the pageants?
56:46I do.
56:47I miss the people and the relationships and the fun that we had.
56:50But I look back on it as a memory.
56:53And I say, as I get older, you know,
56:55it took a lot of energy to do that.
56:58And I think back, and sometimes now,
57:00I just like to lay back and rest in the weekend.
57:05And I miss, you know, just all the fun we had,
57:08but mostly just being with her
57:10because as they grow older,
57:12they kind of move away from things unless you're with them.
57:15But I'm the one that keeps all the crowns
57:17and the trophies and the pictures.
57:19I lose everything.
57:20Because Pam cannot find things.
57:22So if they want anything, it comes to Grandma's house.
57:30And what career do you want to have?
57:32I want to be on TV, a news anchor.
57:34It's been my dream since, like, 8th grade to work for CNN.
57:37I was like, this is what I'm going to do.
57:38I'm going to be on TV.
57:40I'll, like, practice in the mirror, you know,
57:42what I was going to say, what I was going to do.
57:44And do you see yourself getting married?
57:46Uh-huh.
57:46Of course.
57:47I hope so.
57:48But I don't know if I want to have kids.
57:50I don't.
57:51I'm not.
57:51I just don't know.
57:53I'm not crazy about kids.
57:59I want to become an X-ray technician.
58:00And I would love to get married, have kids, have a family.
58:05That would be fun.
58:06But after I, you know, go through college and stuff, it'll come.
58:11How many kids would you like to have?
58:13Well, I used to want 12.
58:15Six girls and six boys.
58:17But then having six brothers and sisters, I was like,
58:19I can't even keep up with this.
58:21So maybe two, maybe two or four.
58:24It has to be an even number, though.
58:25I can't have an odd number.
58:27Don't want a middle child.
58:29Won't you come home, Bill Bailey?
58:31Won't you come home?
58:33I've been on the whole day long.
58:36Remember that rainy feeling?
58:38I threw you out.
58:40With nothing but a fine tooth comb.
58:43I know not to blame.
58:46Well, I ain't that shame.
58:48Bill Bailey, won't you please come home?
58:51And everybody still remembers Bill Bailey.
58:54I can still see her on stage when she does that whole dance.
58:57That was Sweet Nothing.
58:59Oh, wait.
58:59That was Sweet Nothing.
59:00No, you should do this.
59:01Yeah, that was actually nothing.
Comments