Last time as I dove into the escapades that encompass the so called ‘pageant industry’ in this beautiful country, I knew that certain areas of what I said would ‘ruffle feathers’ and that too, as expected was from those who felt the mirror had been held up to them. From sniggering to snickering to bickering, I was entertained tremendously by all the “it must be this one”, and “could it be that one”, that I was referring to. Just to be very clear, there are too many names to name, even if I was inclined to do so, and too many ‘professionals’ who are ‘unprofessional’, and they, along with those around them, know who there are. As the old adage goes – “If the shoe fits, well….”!
01.With the latest spate of ‘pageants’ that now happen it seems on a weekly basis, the controversies are bound to build up to higher crescendos, and in the same vein, the venom is also bound to spew. First, what are all these pageants that seem to mushroom in every dark, dank corner, and who are these ‘national directors’ who also sprout up from every craggy crevice? The days when pageant directors were reputed, vetted, instilled with professionalism, and also capable, seem to be quite a rare occurrence these days. I do understand that these international pageants need to make money and if someone with a few coins is ready, willing and able to pay the fee, they are granted the national franchise. At the same time those on the periphery of established industries are usually the ones chomping at the bit to become ‘franchise holders’, in order to, in their own limited thinking, garner entry into a world of ‘glitz and glamor’. The reality is that operating out of some backwater these ‘pageant professionals’ go around town with their begging for funds, offering everything, everyone, and in every vile position, in order to get sponsors, and usually end up getting the patronage of the ‘most lecherous of the lecherous’ in the process. Thus, begins the organizing of the pageant.
We have a few of these pageant directors who have national infamy, bedecked in gold nuggets and gold chains thick enough to anchor in place a battle ship, dressed in the most interesting clothes made to fit a toddler, finding time between organizing the most agonizingly crass and tacky birthday soirees, to be involved in organizing equally crass and tacky pageants. These characters should be starring in a local version of the reality TV show “survivor” where they are NOT recued and brought back, ever, but left there without their makeup mirrors, and minions! Oh, to dream! These are the standard bearers of the pageants, and they are working very hard to make sure that there are no standards what so ever. So, begins the next stage, literally, which is the main event.
02.The hotels who come on board as hospitality partners do so as in the business when the PR machines are working, the benefits are tangible. Beautiful venues are provided, and sometimes through the generosity of the hotels, meals and accommodations as well. The management hold a collective breath that the actual event would go off without a hitch, without the weeping and wailing, bruising and beating. With the venue set, the ‘professionals’ come in out of the woodwork. Coaching the contestants on how to talk, eat, greet, not eat, and not greet etc. Most of these professionals come from backgrounds where their own skills are deeply questionable, and they need training before they try to train someone else. There are of course the consummate professionals who are truly capable, and also in a position to enrich the pageant journey of the contestants, but unfortunately the majority want to only enrich themselves, financially and otherwise. Everyone does need to make a living, garner an income, and for some of these people this is it.
They coach, broach and approach hoping that their questionable speaking skills, and build-up job resumes padded and bulging with lies, would impress some unsophisticated woman or man. These ‘professionals’ are much needed sources of humor, because everything to do, all their ‘tried and tested’ methods to beleaguer, beguile belittle and bully, usually gets spread like wildfire through the contestants and also the outside world at large. Humor aside, these are usually the predators of the lowest caliber.
03.ext come the costumers, because going by what we have beheld on these pageant stages, I would not call them designers. Costume design is a very reputed profession, and we would not have the enriched movie, television and theater industries if not for their skills. It is just that locally, they are offended if they are called “costume designers” because they assume that being a “designer” bears more mainstream industry credibility, and weight. When you see men dressed as nearly naked ‘space travelers’ and women draped in bits of printed pavement vendor fabric discards, it is difficult to think that any real thought went into these travesties. Yes it may be the fantasy of the costume designer to suddenly become overtly diligent in measurement taking of the pant ‘inseam’ and ‘crotch depth’ of these unsuspecting male contestants and yes it may be the fantasy to see these young women on stage and envision them running through some jungle between
04.caves, but the reality is most of this is based on overtly sexualized, negative connotations, that are detrimental to the wellbeing and self-esteem of the contestant, and also causes negative messaging to the general public as well. Is this what we want a contestant to go through?
Next, we have the judges. Now they are in the majority very capable, and highly specialized individuals, who are at the peak of their industries. This is rarely in doubt. But unfortunately, it takes just one ‘bad apple’ to ruin the whole basket. There could be one judge who has been instructed on who should win, there could be one or two who have vested interests in the winner, and as judging is a collective, this throws the whole outcome into disarray. This is where, I humbly believe the organizers should choose very wisely based on the capability and integrity, and also stay out of any part of the decision-making processes. Again, that is my own humble opinion.
To conclude this segment on ‘pageants’, there are always the good and the great, along with the filthy and the foul. That is not just in pageants but the world we live in. I think, as I said before, it is up to each of us to make sure we highlight fair treatment, honesty and integrity, and also call out misdeeds, and malpractices when we see it. So, we move on with a collective wish for the days of winners who deserve to win, and that also, win fair and square.
