'Toddler's & Tiaras' is easily one of TLC's most popular and controversial shows to date! The series displays some of the youngest kids being dolled up for beauty pageants. Some families go above and beyond to ensure their child scores that crown, while others are in it just for the fun.
One family so notorious from the series is none other than Honey Boo Boo and her family who made it so big they even get their own spin-off show. From the giant hair, big dresses, makeup and jewels, these contestants are not playing around.
Although the show is popular, it has definitely created a lot of questions and concerns surrounding the health and well being of these kids. Don't believe us? Here are 20 sketchy facts about 'Toddlers & Tiaras'.
40 Stars Are Not Compensated
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Despite there being loads of contestants each and every season, it appears none of them are ever compensated for appearing on the show. The air-time is sometimes enough to skyrocket a family to fame; from magazine covers, interviews and tours, this sometimes makes families more money than a salary would.
38 Producers Prey On The Wacky
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It goes without saying that entertainment doesn't come from your average everyday normal people. Producers of the show ensure that they are bringing on some of the most ridiculous and wild cast members that will create the most drama and entertainment that the show has to offer.
36 Pageant Takes Over 8 Hours To Film
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If you thought the hour-long episode of a pageant or contest takes a few hours to film, you'd be wrong, very very wrong. According to some testimonials, pageants and filming can take as long as 8 hours to complete. That means contestants have to be dolled up for hours and hours in order to get a full episode sorted.
34 Contestants Are Given Loads of Sugar
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In addition to the endless hours, the toddlers are provided with loads and loads of sugar throughout the day. According to NY Daily News, sugar is used throughout the contests to keep the kids going and also makes for some great television moments.
32 Pageants Are Over A Billion Dollar Industry
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If an entire television show revolving around beauty pageants is not enough to prove just how big a phenomenon they are, then perhaps knowing that it is a multi-billion dollar industry will! According to The Guardian, the world of beauty pageants bring in over $25 billion annually.
30 Producers Heavily Edit The Show
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No show is ever really "real" and that includes 'Toddlers and Tiaras'. Just like every other "reality" show, there is a very heavy amount of editing that goes on behind the scenes with the TLC hit that ensures each and every episode is full of drama and jaw-dropping moments.
28 Pageant Mom's Stage Contests
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How many pageants could there really be in a full calendar year? Definitely not enough to film a television series full of contest after contest. So, in this case, parents sometimes stage their own contests simply for the sake of the show. If there is no upcoming pageant in a certain city or community, parents will get together to put one on for themselves just for the heck of it.
26 No Strangers Allowed
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We always see audience members participating in the TLC show, however, as it turns out, not just anyone can pop in and be a spectator. Considering how crazy a world we live in nowadays, it's great to know that not just any creepy person can come in and watch tiny humans gyrate on the stage!
24 Crew Members Hated The Show
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The show has created a lot of concern and questions regarding the well being of the contestants, however, imagine having to play a role in creating this mess? Well, that's what a lot of previous workers on the show have had to say. Working endlessly to get an episode together is not an easy task, and having to witness all of the ridiculousness is not an easy task, either.
22 The Drama Is Scripted
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In addition to the heavy editing, alleged reports have claimed that the show is also heavily scripted. With kids being given zingers and one liners to say during their confessional time or drama between parents, none of it is actually "real".