I took most of August off. I focused on myself, spent time recharging, and even escaped to Aruba hoping, in some way, that if I blinked my eyes and clicked my heels three times, I could return to pageant land and find things had changed for the better.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
Since returning, I’ve been heartbroken by the messages I’ve received from clients. They’re being torn down by the very people meant to lift them up…coaches using destructive methods, hair and makeup artists making derogatory remarks about their own clients physical features, and the budget shaming continues
These are individuals who should be building confidence and fostering self-esteem, not destroying it.
I’ve had enough and I am convinced the vast majority of you all have as well
If you are in this business and you are not here to uplift, empower, and support these girls and women, please exit the building. There is no place for negativity, cruelty, or toxic behavior in pageantry.
What’s very sad about all of this is that it is being whispered behind closed doors to impressionable children, teenagers, and women. To me that’s so much worse than the keyboard warriors who tear people down on message boards. This is actually happening face to face by someone they trust. That is inexcusable behavior.
To those experiencing this, I’m asking you to speak up. I applaud you for having internal conversations with your trusted friends, but sadly, I do not think that is going to be enough to end all of this craziness. 
It’s time we hold people accountable. I know it’s scary to speak out, especially in a world where we’re often told not to rock the boat but staying silent is allowing this behavior to continue. These individuals will be able to own and operate businesses, even though they have a moral compass that has been compromised. This allows future generations to have the exact same negative experiences and we cannot let that happen.
It’s giving massive mean girl vibes and it’s not cute
and furthermore, proving stereotypes that people already think about pageantry. If we want to change the way the world thinks about pageantry, that change starts with us.
Whether you call it out on social media, confront the individual directly, notify a pageant director, or simply tell your parents so they can advocate for you, you have to tell someone. If this type of disrespect happened in a school, work, or social setting you can bet people would be showing up to demand answers. So why is it any different in pageantry? It’s not so let’s get going!
I know what you may be thinking, “Brittney, why don’t you go ahead and call these people out yourself…”Because it isn’t my story to share, but I will always be a confidente that people can vent to and a shoulder they can cry on, knowing that it will always stay between us until they feel comfortable putting it out there. 
We are entering a new pageant season and we MUST do better.
We owe it to the girls, the teens, and the women who step into this world hoping to grow and are trusting us to be GOOD people who GUIDE. We all need to choose to uplift and not undermine. That is the community we all want to be a part of!
