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Teen beauty pageants out of control? Many beauty contests for schoolgirls and schoolboys have sprung up in Vietnam, with prizes up to 120 million dong. The contests emphasize physical beauty, leading some to question the real costs for participants.
The Miss Teen 2009 website’s advertisement states: “Based on the success of the beauty contest named Miss Audition 2006 & 2007. . . the first beauty contest for schoolgirls named ‘Miss Teen Vietnam’ has been organized. The contest aims to honor the beauty of Vietnamese schoolgirls from 16 to 19 years old.” “Everyone has a dream and what is the dream of schoolgirls? Becoming famous, attracting thousands of admirers, and demonstrating your values. Many people may think ‘dreams are only dreams,’ but the truth is that opportunities are always there for those who dare to live their dreams. Joining Miss Teen Vietnam 2009 means that your image and information will be become popular throughout the teen world . . . You may catch the eye of a fashion company, become an actress or even gain a position as a famous television host.” The advertisement targets teen girls, many of whom dream at one time or another to become a model, TV host or actress. “Miss Teen” is a beauty pageant for teenage girls that focuses on beauty above other attributes. The contest has been advertised from In addition to these national contests, there are many smaller ones with names like “Hot Teen.” The winners of these contests are advertised as “new stars” in Hidden costs of 120 million dong
One contest is called “Class Ambassadors,” a beauty contest for young people aged 16 to 22. Originally the competition was called “Mr. and Miss Teen,” but the organizers changed it to obtain their license more easily. Similar to a pageant contest, “Class Ambassadors” includes field trips, charity activities, a talent competition and taking photos on the beach, along with a fashion performance, interview, and a knowledge test. Two gold-level prizes are awarded, one to a girl and one to a boy, worth 120 million dong each. Such lucrative prizes are much higher than many adult pageants and contests. At the introductory press conference, journalists questioned the organizers about the huge amount of prize money, especially for teens. They argued that the “Ambassadors” could use the money unwisely and become involved in scandalous activities. The organizers replied that such risks must be born by the contestants’ families. This pageant had two separate juries, one for the knowledge portion of the competition and another for the beauty competition. Curiously, the names of the first jury were not disclosed at the press conference, while the second jury’s members were touted to include a sub-editor of Model Magazine, two supermodels, Xuan Thu and Huynh Thanh Tuyen, Miss Sea Lam Thu Hang, two make-up artists and a photographer. Artificial Beauty over Academic Achievement?
In an unusual move, the “Class Ambassadors” competition accepted contestants with plastic surgery while typically beauty contests in A reporter questioned the organizers if they encouraged teens to undergo plastic surgery. The organizers protested that plastic surgery was a modern phenomenon, not something new encouraged by the contest. Concerns about what trends these competitions may perpetuate, especially in exploiting beauty at such a young age, created public protests about ten years ago when people compared these contests to “selling young rice.” Events that only honor outward appearances with promises of lucrative prizes may not be necessary or beneficial. Moreover, if the contests suggest that beauty is everything, why should Vietnamese teens study hard? Should they have plastic surgery to become famous instead? VietNamNet/TTOL Other news for Tuesday 01 September, 2009
View all news for Tuesday 01 September, 2009 on one page News for Tuesday 25 August, 2009 View all news for Tuesday 25 August, 2009 on one page Recent News
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