WORLD CLASS
AT just nine years old, Taylor Koopmans is taking on the world.
The Coomera student was crowned the Junior Miss Australia Continents 2019 – and is now chasing her dream to become Miss Universe.
A GOLD Coast junior national beauty pageant queen – aged nine – and her mother are out to dispel the misconceptions they are just vanity projects.
Taylor Koopmans of Coomera is the Junior Miss Australia Continents 2019 and mum Kirsty Koopmans says pageants had helped her public speaking confidence.
Her four-year-old sister Miley is also entering junior beauty pageants.
Ms Koopmans said despite critics it has helped her elder daughter overcome a speech impediment and includes aspects like fundraising.
Taylor was introduced to junior pageants at the age of seven by her dance teacher.
“She continued entering from there after making so many good friends and having a lot of fun,” her mother said.
Ms Koopmans said not all junior pageants were like US reality show Toddlers and
Tiaras, based on the competitive world of child beauty contests with make-up, spray tanning and fake hair.
“People have a misconception that pageant girls wear big dresses and heavy make-up, but it’s not like reality TV. The girls wear natural clothes with minimal make-up and hairstyling,” Ms Koopmans said.
“Our friends weren’t sure about pageants but after attending one they completely changed their minds.”
The Picnic Creek State School student was crowned Junior Miss Australia in November with categories of catwalk, swimwear and onstage questions.
“They asked what I hoped to accomplish in my year of service and I said raising money for charity, making friends and having fun,” Taylor said. “When I won I was so happy that I started crying on stage and then we celebrated at McDonald’s.”