Five-year-old Brooke-Lynn Paparazzo is among 66 participants ages 4 to 6 who are state finalists in the National American Miss New Jersey (NAM) Pageant. The pageant is being held Aug. 20 in East Brunswick.
Brooke-Lynn was became interested in being in a pageant after watching episodes of the reality show “Toddlers and Tiaras,” which follows girls who actively compete in pageants.
“Mommy, I want to do that!” she said after watching an episode one day, according to her parents.
Parents Michael, 36 and Victoria Paparrazo, 32 were initially strongly opposed. But they relented given her interest and the timing of the arrival of a letter from NAM saying Brooke-Lynn had been nominated.
“Win or lose, she’ll go to Disney.” – Victoria Paparrazo
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After she researched the group online and read that it was an “all natural” competition, which implies no makeup, she went ahead and submitted an entry.
The application included information about Brooke-Lynn’s experience in ballet and tap dance along with her involvement in the town’s arts and crafts program.
Soon, Brooke-Lynn received notice that she was a finalist in the competition.
Working on self-confidence
NAM describes itself as an organization that encourages future leaders. It presents the pageant as an opportunity to win prizes, scholarships, cash, and awards. Pageants take place all over the country and do not require any prior pageant experience – only a sense of self-confidence.
That is something, according to Victoria, that Brooke-Lynn had to work on.
“She is shy,” said Victoria.
She hoped Brooke-Lynn would gain more self-confidence by being around other girls and by participating in the interview process.
“She wants to be in magazines,” said Victoria, a former model herself. Victoria said her mother hopes the pageant will lead to a modeling contract with an agency, which is a possibility if Brooke-Lynn wins the “photogenic” section of the competition.
Brooke-Lynn has been practicing for the various competition categories including introducing herself. She has been rehearsing her answers for the interview portion.
“Red. Cause I like red roses,” she said enthusiastically in response to practice interview questions from her mom.
“I like drawing and making stuff,” added Brooke-Lynn, who has a bedroom wall filled with arts and crafts. She aspires to be an artist.
Brooke-Lynn has also been practicing her walk for the formal wear poise and appearance portion of the contest by watching videos of girls walking on the NAM web site.
She plans to sing the popular baseball song, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” for a special talent section of the competition and has been rehearsing the song with her dad. The family plans to hold a mock rehearsal next week to prepare Brooke-Lynn to perform in front of an audience.
The pageant also includes a community involvement project where participants are asked to bring a book or toy as a donation. Participants present the donations to charities and towns in need at the end of the competition.
The other side
The Paparrazos paid a $440 sponsor fee to enter Brooke-Lynn in the competition plus additional fees to participate in the photogenic, talent, and casual wear segments of the competition. They also had to sell ads for the pageant program to receive special prizes or awards. The family is also paying for a weekend stay in a hotel. In order to lower the overall costs, the family is seeking sponsorships.
“We are having a lot of problems getting sponsors,” said Victoria.
She said that among their colleagues, some have been reluctant to donate because they are wary of pageants for young girls. Some have asked if they plan on turning Brooke-Lynn into another JonBenet Ramsey, a child beauty star who was murdered in her home.
“It is not based on beauty; it is based on personality,” said Victoria.
PJ’s
“Pajamas!” exclaimed Brooke-Lynn in regard to the part of the pageant she is most looking forward to. The pageant participants will gather the first evening for a pajama party where girls will socialize and make friends.
“Win or lose, she’ll go to Disney,” said Victoria.
If Brooke-Lynn wins the overall competition, she’ll be crowned as Miss New Jersey Princess and receive $1,000, roses, a trophy, two days on Rodeo Drive, and two days in Disneyland to participate in the National competition.
If she doesn’t take home the princess crown, she’ll get to enjoy a trip to Disney World in Florida as a gift from her parents.
Adriana Rambay Fernández may be reached at afernandez@hudsonreporter.com.