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'Toddlers & Tiaras': Makenzie and her 'Ni-Ni' steal the spotlight
"Toddlers & Tiaras" sashayed back into our lives on Dec. 29, and TLC brought out the big guns: returning pageant contestant 4-year-old Makenzie, who has an obsession with her "Ni-Ni" (her nickname for her beloved pacifier) and mirrors. Joining her were twin sisters Scarlett and Isabella, 1, whose mother has spent over $250,000 dollars to bring home the crown and to fuel sibling rivalry. Lastly, we have 8-year-old Danielle, a super-competitive perfectionist with "eyebrows that grew way far down on her eyelids."Watching the episode, we were simultaneously horrified and mystified as the girls and their mothers prepped for the Arizona Gold Coast Pageant. While Scarlett and Isabella's mom Kelli was busy calculating how much she has spent on dresses and making sure viewers knew she was rich, Makenzie's mom Juana laughed to keep from crying while trying to get her daughter to take glitz pictures. Danielle prepped by coaching (more like ridiculing) her mom Tedi's pageant walk.
There were many memorable moments from the episode, but we managed to narrow the list down to three of our favorites:
No 3: Danielle loses her fruit
While practicing her walk in a Chiquita Banana-esque get-up, tragedy struck when Danielle's fruit-turban fell off. A moment of silence for the departed fruit passed before the waterworks started. Why was she crying? "I hate when the fruit falls off because then I'm not perfect." This bodes well for Danielle's main life goal: To be famous. It's also worth mentioning that the judges and hotel rooms (both of whom Danielle threatened to destroy if she didn't win) ended the episode unscathed: She won her division.
No. 2: In case you didn't know, Kelli is rich
You might have missed that Kelli ("I've been married a few times. We're not going to get into numbers") is rich... if you weren't watching the episode. She name-drops Chanel, takes a private plane to the pageant ("We're envied") and the camera lingered on the row of expensive cars outside of her home longer than it did on her children. 70 dresses hang on racks in the "princess room," which Kelli makes sure to mention cost $1,500-$2,000 a piece. We're also convinced that Scarlett won the highest title of Grand Supreme Gold Coast Arizona because of Kelli's fortune. The baby can't even walk on her own. Danielle was totally picking up what we're putting down. "It can't even sing or walk or do nothin' but poop or pee."
No. 1: All things Makenzie.
We are obsessed with this little girl. She calls herself a "schuperstar," she is bewitched by her own beauty (mirrors are her best friends) and she both charms and scares every adult she meets. Makenzie has still not been weened off her "Ni-Ni" as her mom compares it to an adult trying to quit smoking. We're convinced Makenzie trades smiles for time with her Ni-Ni, though she admits, "I love pageants more than I love my 'Ni-Ni.'" We're mystified by her ability to go from whining to hamming it up for the cameras in two seconds flat. "In 15 years... I see her being a star one day," says her mother. We pray to the pageant Gods that she is, but if all else fails, Makenzie can always pursue a career in food service: "I think waitresses are really cool."
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Photo/Video credit: TLC
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In the wake of the latest death by anorexia, Isabelle Caro's, I feel obligated to point out how the MEDIA needs to take a LOT of RESPONSIBILITY for the promotion unhealthy young girls in the US. This is one of those shows - "glamorizing" babies under the age of 5, who are still sucking on their pacifiers! "Sexing" them up with makeup, hairdos and high heels! Sixteen and Pregnant, Rock of Love, Bridal Plasty - WHAT ARE WE DOING TO OUR DAUGHTERS!!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!! Boycott all these stupid, pointless TV shows!! They are making perfectly beautiful and healthy young girls feels inadequate, fat and unworthy!!
This show is like a multi-vehicle pile-up - even though you know you should, it's impossible to look away! I watch with my kids (13 and 11) and am always horrified by the behaviour of not only the kids but their parents too. The Mom waxing her 8-year-old's eyebrows and telling her they looked like a "wooly mammoth? What the hell is that?! These poor girls are going to have so many issues when they get older. I have to wonder how many friends an 8-year-old like Danielle would have. I can't imagine too many girls wanting to play with her. SO sad.
I have never watched this show and never plan too. These mothers have something wrong with them. Who waxes a childs eyebrow? That is a child walfare case if you ask me, someone should call social services on these women. These are babys not adults. Do these mothers have such low self esteem that they need someone to tell them that their kids are pretty? This show should be cancelled.
Carolyn...I agree with you 100 percent. I cannot believe how sad this show is...and you're right...i'm sure a girl like Danielle doesn't have many friends. It's horrifically dismal to watch...and i'll never watch it again!
Makenzie had me absolutely rolling on the floor. What a hoot! The twins have a really odd mother. Danielle made me sad. Sure, she's pretty. There's millions of us out here who have girls just as pretty (if not prettier) than Danielle. There's no such thing as 'perfect', so her confidence is based on nothing. That little girl is going down a very destructive road and her mom is driving the minivan. I just wish she could see it because her child is in trouble!
Someone should call child protective services and the police on both on the parents and the shows producer/executives/director/editor/etc.. Child abuse. Pornography. Perverted... All words that come to mind.
Sad that this is being allowed to be shown on television.
This show is nothing but kiddie porn and I beg anyone who knows these families to contact the proper authorities and stop this abuse.
Lil Miss Makenzie is pretty until she opens her mouth, with her little anoying hick whine, she reminds me of a little Fran Dressher(The Nanny) even has the same hair. Her NiNi has caused her teeth to buck. Can you amagine what her teachers will have to deal with! Most of the moms are all very overweight, if they devoted more time to taking care of their own appearance maybe they would stop living thru their daughters. The little rich twins Daddy has money - not Mommy (she kinda looks like she had a sex change). I agree that some of this reality crap needs to be off the air.
McKenzie is a star...
This show is too much. I agree that most of the mothers are trying to live through the children. Danielle has a very poor attitude that will not take her very far in life. Her mother should focus on healthy eating and habits, so that she does not grow up to be overweight...then what? The mother of the twins was very ostentatious. It was very unappealing. Any viewer can see that she is not accustomed to having any sort of wealth. Otherwise, she would not have talked about it incessantly. She should spend more time on herself (inner and outer appearance). Mackenzie's mother is the problem. The child's attitude is the result of poor parenting. I pity any teacher that has to deal with the fallout from this child's upbringing.