It takes all kinds

An unusual article appeared on Drudge yesterday: Self-made millionaire reveals how she made her money - aged just NINE

This little girl, it seems, got her start on the infamous Toddlers and Tiaras show (child beauty contests, for those unfamiliar with the genre).

Encouraged by her success on the show, the child launched her own bling-style clothing and jewelry line at just six years old, which has made her a multi-millionaire by age nine.

Quoting the article: Isabella said: "It feels awesome because I know everybody looks up to me which is a big responsibility. My fans love me, they tell me I'm really cool and just really pretty - there's nothing not to like about being famous."

Reaction to this whole child beauty contest beginning gave a lot of people the willies, since so many kids got pushed into it by stage moms. But undoubtedly many girls loved it -- loved the spotlight, loved the attention. This little girl is doing nothing more than capitalizing on that platform, and doing it perfectly legally.

There's no indication whatever she is being abused or forced into this lifestyle. Her family seems very loving and supportive. By all accounts she's rich, successful, and confident. She appears to be an extremely motivated and entrepreneurial young lady.

So why do I find the whole article slightly nauseating?

Poor little girl

Here's a sobering video clip of an interview with the mother of a toddler who does (cough) children's beauty pageants. Okay, I don't think much of children's beauty pageants anyway, but the outfit this TWO YEAR OLD wore just floored me.

A cone bra! Like Madonna!

This interesting thing is how vociferously the mother defends her daughter's wardrobe.

She claims that since other mothers dress up their daughters like tramps on Halloween and such, then it must be okay. Right. To paraphrase the old cliché, if other mothers pushed their toddlers off a cliff, would you do it too? Just because other people do stuff to their children doesn't make it right.

Speaking of simplifying one's life through making good decisions - what do you think will be the long-term impact on this little girl's life? Her ego? Her self-esteem?

The mother claims her daughter enjoys the pageants. Well sure, of course she does. Everyone is smiling and clapping and making a big fuss over her. But does anything honestly think this atmosphere is healthy for a child?

I dunno, I find the whole thing vaguely nauseating.