Menifee's Own Beauty Queen Stars on 'Toddlers & Tiaras'

One of Menifee’s youngest natives will star on TLC’s “Toddlers & Tiaras” on Wednesday. Three-year-old Bailey Lauritson, known in the ...


One of Menifee’s youngest natives will star on TLC’s “Toddlers & Tiaras” on Wednesday.

Three-year-old Bailey Lauritson, known in the pageant world as Bailey Shea, started competing in pageantry competitions in only April of last year, but has already made her way onto one of the most popular reality shows on television. The season six episode of “Toddlers & Tiaras” follows Bailey as she prepares to compete at the California Tropic: Sugar and Spice beauty pageant competition in Las Vegas.

When mom Cora Lauritson and coach Cambrie Littlefield join forces to teach Bailey her dance routine on the televised episode, the toddler gets distracted, something Lauritson says happens often.

“As far as being [3 years old], she definitely gets distracted easy,” said Laurison. “I mean, I’m always yelling at my kids, at the boys, ‘Go away because she wants to see what you’re doing more than she wants to practice,’ but then there’s the times where she just wants everyone to look at her because she wants to put on a show.”

However distracted she may become, Bailey certainly knows how to make her mark on the judges come showtime. Bailey has taken first place in numerous pageants, but it all started in Menifee, where her family has lived since 1996 and still resides today.

Bailey got her start in pageantry at the Miss Menifee Pageant, a “natural” pageant where she placed as the first runner-up. Lauritson believed her daughter should have taken first place and was confident Bailey would “take it all” at her first “glitz” pageant the following day. And she did. Bailey’s win sparked her mother’s interest in “Toddlers & Tiaras."

So how did this little Menifee native get her shot at the hit reality show? Lauritson says it took a lot of phone calls and Bailey’s pageantry talent.

“It took her getting a little bit well-known in the pageant world, I think, for them to kind of open their eyes and say, ‘Okay, who is this girl?’” Lauritson said.

In between the spray tans and buying new eyelashes, Lauritson says Bailey’s favorite part of competing in pageants is similar to any other 3-year-olds.

 “Her favorite part of doing pageants, of course, and she would tell you, is being with her friends that she’s met through the pageant world and winning a big crown,” said Lauritson.

Lauritson says she feels obligated to teach her daughter the real benefits of pageantry.

“Pageants, to me, are just a fun way, a fun release for her to have a good time. Who wouldn’t want to be told they’re beautiful standing up there?” said Lauritson. “But there’s more to it than that and people don’t see that. People are so judgmental when it comes to pageants; they don’t even have a clue.”

Lauritson says pageantry is teaching Bailey life skills she can carry with her in her future endeavors.

“She learns to share and be happy for other people when they win, and to work hard for something,” she said.

Lauritson says she does not know how long Bailey will continue to compete in pageants. She does, however, hope Bailey will pursue her evolving modeling career. With a print ad and a shoe campaign already under her belt, Bailey can check pageantry and modeling off her list, all before she turns 4 years old in two weeks.

The episode of "Toddlers & Tiaras" starring Bailey airs Wednesday at 6 p.m. on TLC.

Related

Toddlers and Tiaras 1465289573667810700

Post a Comment

  1. Sad. Sounds like Mom wants it more than the child. Of course 3 yr olds get distracted, they are 3. She is a cute child, but, really!! Let her be a kid while she can, she can't do that for long before she has all kinds of peer pressure as it is!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Obviously she let's her be a kid.

      Delete
    2. You know this just by one show. we all want everything for our kids. were parents we guide them. I love this kids family and how they all work together for her. So sweet

      Delete
  2. She is a cute little girl that is being exploited by her mother. This type of show should not be allowed on television.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with above, mom wants it more, this trying to let these little girls win beauty contests is ridiculous in my opinion, they need to have a childhood and if and ONLY if they want to perform then let them otherwise let them play with their Barbie dolls. And on the note of dolls I think they should offer a buyback program for them, like the schools trying the toy gun buyback, because having all these little dolls in the hands of children surely is what leads to teen pregnancy, just like spoons and forks lead them to obesity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, its apple pie that leads to obesity and motherhood that leads to teen pregnancy. Let's ban the both.

      Delete
  4. This is sick!!!! My heart goes out to the child who will not have a childhood.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. how dose she not have a childhood did i miss something?

      Delete
  5. Wow you all have no idea what you are talking about! Do you think she practices 6 har Adam and does pageant every weekend??? She is a child and has a great mother. She plays and has a great childhood just like children who dont do pageants.....

    ReplyDelete
  6. Too bad you guys have no clue! This little girl LOVES competing. And she does have a normal childhood. Pageants are no different a pastime then attending a dance recital, or sport tournament. All of which require practice time and performance. WTG Bailey!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm not in to pageants at all, but your remarks are based on ignorance. This little girl has an idyllic childhood in the diverse community of Menifee, with 3 big brothers and parents who spend a LOT of quality time with their children. Regardless of whether the family is into boating, motocross or watching a natural and beautiful little princess perform on stage, they support one another and their children's interests.

    The pageants may fall away, it's not comfortable to be scrutinized on television when you have no control, but their daughter has now been featured on national and international television, commercials and print ads. No one would be bashing if the kids were all competing in motocross or gymnastics which has much more grueling workouts and pressures. And if she still loves pageants when she's 17, I hope no one 'discourages her', she may be the new Miss America.

    I like when children are encouraged to reach for the stars no matter how impossible. There's nothing worse than settling for mediocre.

    ReplyDelete
  8. how does doing pageants lead to pregancy
    IF YOU LOOK AT A CHILD AND THINK SEX THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WIT YOU AND YOU SHOULD BE LOCKED UP SERIOSULY YOUR CHILD ISNT OING THE PAGEANT THEN GET OVER IT FOR GOD SAKE.

    ReplyDelete
  9. CORA!!!! IGNORE THESE PSYCHOS!!!! BAILEY IS AMAZING AND EVERYONE KNOWS THAT!..WE LOVE YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Stop judging people.....i have known this woman and her husband for a very long time and they are beautiful people,seems to me that Bailey is really enjoying herself,she is beautiful ,talented,and apparently a very smart little girl.....Nancy Nunez

    ReplyDelete
  11. what is wrong with you people. I suppose you think we should get a rid of sports competitions cheerleading competitions dance competitions. You people really need to get a life. this mom has done nothing wrong!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think that her mother recognized a talent in her daughter (her beauty and love of performing) and picked the best vehicle to showcase those talents. It's no different than putting my son in baseball or my daughter in dance, we found what they love (and have some skill at) and paid to be involved in those activities... I think it's great to have a local girl bring NATIONAL attention to our small town!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Omg. Some of you people need to get a life. Don't judge something you don't understand. Do you think miss America's mother is a bad person? Pageants build self esteem andConfidence. She is still a child even though she does pageants. I think you are a good mother. When your daughter didn't get the higher title you gave her a kiss and said good job.

    ReplyDelete
  14. You guys are hypocrits! What are you doing with your sons when you let him play football a contact/ physical sport? Or karate, cheerleading, dance or even hockey. Yes there are those crazy pageant moms that go above and beyound with ridiculous antics but bailey's family seems fun loving and involved. There isn't a sport or "activity" i can think of that if filmed you wouldn't find your set of crazy, over the top parents. Bailey did nothing innopropriate on this episode that deserved any of these negative comments. Yeah there are times when the kids may not want to practice but want to do pageant and will actually cry if they cant go because they want to see all of their friends. clearly she wants to do pageants... why else did she get up on that stage with a smile on her face??? Everything takes practice and your child may love that activity but not want to practice everytime they should but 5seconds doesnt change their love for what they are doing. To top it off I am sure some of you watch and support the miss America competition. Just like some of your children with these high/unrealistic goals of making it to the nfl , nba or being a musician why can't these little girls have realistic dreams of competing for their state? I am new to pageantry but these girls make some of the best friendships, raise money and items for some great causes and charities and have some of the nicest personalities ever. Don't speak on this child's childhood or even say her future is heading in the wrong direction because you don't know that and doing pageants won't determined that. I have seen pageants where children in wheelchairs have competed, children with Down syndrome , and even dwarfism have competed and I have seen them do well. some of these girl just enjoy those moments that help boost their confidence. Look how involved and loving her family is.... I bet half of you don't even spend time with your children the way you should seeing how you have no lives and are too busy on these blogs bashing an activity you nor your child have participated in ... NO LIFE lol.... It's time YOU find a better hobby


    ~N.Stephanie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The problem is that the confidence boost you're speaking of comes from the superficial approval of other people. Confidence should come from within; from a job well done, or from knowing you've done the right thing in a sticky situation, not because other people deem you worthy of a crown when your hair, makeup and clothing are perfect.

      Also, you're spending your time on this but telling other people to get a life or hobby? The word is hypocrite.

      Delete
  15. I hate this show. People are so gullible too. I am sure that if we saw the behind the scenes we would see that there are very normal children with normal families. We would probably find a lot of normal kids that love doing pageants that refuse to be featured on this mess. Seems this show is all about ratings just like dance moms! I hear they are coming out with "Football dads"....should be interesting. Any show can edit and script to make people look crazy. I don't like the fake teeth, tan, or hair but I do know pageants have been very beneficial to many girls. Many young ladies have gone on from pageants to become professors, scientists, TV talk show hosts (Oprah + Barbara Walters), and Heads of state. Look it up ;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bailey, my daughter, and half a dozen other little girls were all playing with dolls and toys in the hair and makeup room at a recent pageant. Then they go home and play with friends, siblings, and pets... my 4 yr old daughter insists she is a Boy Scout just like her older brother and 2 seconds later is asking when she can go onstage at another pageant. My daughter and my niece play pretend pageant in their bedrooms and then go outside to drive their jeeps and dig in the mud. These are normal kids who live normal lives with normal hobbies. They just happen to like performing and as parents we encourage that, no different from the parent who encourages and supports the debate team, dancer, gymnast, football player, etc to work hard, practice hard, and do well. It sets the stage (so to speak) for increased confidence, public speaking ability, and poise under pressure... all qualities that will be crucial as they grow into adulthood. My sister and I are in our mid 30s and to this day are grateful for the experiences, skills, and friendships we gained from doing beauty pageants as children.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Im sure the child does have playtime too. I just worry because I don't think its right to make a competitive life. We are all individual and different and competition is damaging to self esteem and wrong to instill in children. I also worry about the kids in these events because I feel like they are being told that they look beautiful with fake teeth, hair, excessive makeup. They often dance too provocatively and I really believe this will all set them up for low self esteem later. I am sure her mother is loving though and hopefully that will be enough for them to realize she is beautiful with out all the fake hair and makeup etc. We don't have a right to say she has an awful childhood and such since we aren't in this specific families shoes we don't know. I just worry about the stress from the industry of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, my issue with pageants is that you're teaching a child that their worth is based on their beauty, not who they are as a person or the talents they possess. It's not the best message for a little girl, they get enough of that from the media. I would hope this girl knows beauty isn't everything and you can be comfortable with who you are without fake eyelashes, poufy hair and the approval of others.

      Delete
  18. Wow, defensive much? I can tell you all are family or friends of this little girl, but really, when you put it all out there for the public, the public has a right to their own opinions and to express those opinions in their comments. Not everyone will agree with putting little girls in pageants just like not everyone would agree with putting kids into karate or motocross. That's okay, we dont all have to think alike and just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't give you the green light to tell them to get a life. If you didn't want people to comment, then don't put it all out there for the world to judge.

    ReplyDelete

Readers are invited to leave a comment to contribute to public dialogue. Comments will be reviewed by a moderator and will not be approved if they include profanity, defamatory or libelous comments, or may otherwise be considered objectionable by Menifee 24/7 editors.

emo-but-icon

Follow Us

ADVERTISERS












Hot in week

Recent

Comments

Subscribe Via E-mail

Have the latest articles and announcements on Menifee 24/7 delivered to your e-mail address.
Email Format
item