It’s innocent fun says mum who’s spent £13,000 putting girl, 7, in beauty contests
A MOTHER has defended dressing up her little girl in crop tops and skimpy outfits for beauty pageants from the age of five as “innocent fun”.
Madara Zilberte, 30, has spent £13,000 on entry fees, clothes and make-up. The shop worker said the experience has brought her only child Tina “out of her shell”.
But even relatives have questioned the suitability of the outfits at Tina’s age.
Ms Zilberte said: “Tina used to be too shy to talk in front of people. But since competing in pageants, she has transformed into a confident performer.
“Seeing her so happy, I know it is money well spent.”
But some of her relatives expressed concern after Tina won an award as “Pepsi Girl” at a pageant in Manchester when she was six.
Ms Zilberte, who made her outfit, said: “She wore a skimpy blue skirt, red pants, a crop top, lit-up trainers and knee-high socks with red lipstick.
“My family questioned why I let her wear crop tops at such a young age.
“I told them that it was innocent fun and they should be happy for Tina doing so well.”
Ms Zilberte also spoke about criticism she endured after she took Tina, wearing make-up, to McDonald’s.
She said: “I noticed strangers whispering and staring at Tina.
“They were saying how disgraceful it was. Luckily Tina didn’t hear their whispers.”
She said her daughter dreamed of emulating the stars of US reality TV show Toddlers and Tiaras, after she watched the programme in 2016.
Ms Zilberte said: “Tina fell in love with the dolled-up little girls on the show.
Swimwear
“After the show, Tina begged me to let her become a beauty pageant girl. So I searched online and discovered pageants are held over the country.”
Ms Zilberte entered Tina into her first competition in Peterborough in 2016, spending £850.
She said: “I bought Tina a £400 dress, £60 make-up, £150 hair pieces and £20 jewellery. Then I paid £220 for the pageant entry fee, swimwear and talent rounds, hotel, travel and food. I didn’t mind because it was making my daughter so happy.”
Tina, now seven, has competed in 20 pageants, won twice and is regularly among finalists.
Latvian-born Ms Zilberte of Wellingborough, Northants, said: “Tina absolutely loves make-up and dressing up. Every time I apply mascara on her eyelashes and put pink lipstick on her, she grins from ear-to-ear.
“It’s really made her a confident little girl. I don’t think people should criticise pageant mums for putting make-up on young girls, when parents do that to their daughters for dance competitions. It’s no different.”
Tina’s father Wojciech Walczak, 38, a warehouse worker, said: “People think my partner spends too much money on pageants. But they don’t see what a great time our family has.”