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<\/p>\nA 'pageant mum' has revealed how she spends thousands getting her five-year-old daughter ready for contests.<\/p>\n
Jessica Merk, 37, says she splashes out $1,500 (\u00a31,200) on contests and even hires a coach to help daughter Carleigh compete. After being encouraged by her social media followers, Jessica entered Carleigh into modelling when she was just three.<\/p>\n
Her daughter loved it so much that Jessica, a cosmetologist from Cincinnati, Ohio, put her forward for the American Royal Beauties pageant in their home state last year. Carleigh ended up winning and was crowned Princess Ohio 2022.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: 'I was Toddlers & Tiaras star \u2014 my mum spent \u00a356k on pageants but now I live normal life'<\/b><\/p>\n
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Carleigh went on to compete in the nationals \u2013 which cost mum Jessica a fortune in outfits, entry fee, and a coach \u2013 but the little one didn't place anywhere. Despite this, Jessica said her daughter 'thoroughly enjoyed the experience' and insists these contests are "more than just a beauty pageant".<\/p>\n
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To prepare Carleigh for the pageants, Jessica hired a coach to teach her how to walk and stand correctly on stage. The entry fee for the American Royal Beauties, a natural beauty pageant based on community service, was $250 (\u00a3200).<\/p>\n
Jessica and her husband, John Merk, a 33-year-old salesman, were pleasantly surprised when Carleigh took home the title for Princess Ohio in November 2022. <\/p>\n
Jessica added: "She's always humble about it. I curl her hair and put on a little bit of blush but that's it. I do it for her confidence. She's very into girly stuff \u2013 big dresses and her hair pinned up. I tell her 'you can wear makeup or not and still be beautiful.'"<\/p>\n
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Carleigh went on the compete in the nationals for her division in July 2023 and had a coach to help her in the three week run up to the contest. The coach came twice a week for an hour costing Jessica $50 (\u00a340) per session. <\/p>\n
Talking about the nationals, Jessica said: "On the day we got there for 8am and left at 10pm. I made it fun for her and she's not a shy girl.<\/p>\n
"Some mums will try doing it but the kids will not be happy to be there. She really had a good time even though she lost, she didn't feel like she did. I cried when she didn't place."<\/p>\n
As part of the pageant, Carleigh donates to a women's shelter and makes appearances at her local homeless shelter. Jessica aded: "I want her to be more community service orientated. <\/p>\n
"She's been about five times to homeless shelters. I have to explain to her that some people are not as fortunate. I want her to be well-rounded and use her platform."<\/p>\n
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Jessica, who gets slammed on social media for putting Carleigh through contests, admitted: "Some people say 'why would you put her in pageants? It's superficial'. It's more than just a beauty pageant. The community service is what makes her more beautiful.<\/p>\n
"I never thought I'd be a pageant mum, but it's a fun thing to do." Jessica is now saving up and planning for Carleigh's next pageant in November 2024. <\/p>\n
The mum says Carleigh will keep participating in pageants as long as she enjoys it, adding "I don't want to force her to do something that she doesn't like. She loves being in front of the camera. She is sassy, but very sweet."<\/p>\n
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up Daily Star's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to starletters@dailystar.co.uk <\/b><\/p>\n