Costa Rica Events – Costa Rican women are very beauty conscious and the country has participated in beauty contests all over the world for many years. Adriano Models is one of Costa Rica’s most popular modeling agencies and has been in charge of the Children’s Beauty Costa Rica contests for 10 years.
In 2014, there were 46 participants in the competition. Baby models compete between 0 and 2 years old. The small talents category is for children 2 to 4 years old. Miss Chiquita or Little Girl is the category for 5 to 7 year olds while 8 to 10 year olds participate in the Mini Miss category. Preteens are also eligible from 11 to 13 years old. The charge for participating is $200 but families are able to recuperate their investment by selling the 10 tickets they are given at $20 each.
Children are filtered before the contest in open casting calls throughout the country. Adriano’s looks for excellent features as well as good health, charisma and grace. The chosen ones go on to participate in the contests with a few rules. There is no excess makeup, no swimsuits on children under 14 and parents have to behave as well.
There is no money involved in the contests, in fact the winners are given prizes from the contest’s many sponsors. The prizes change each year but often include dental treatments, a session at the beauty salon, and much more.
The real question though that we have to ask ourselves is what does this teach the female youth in Costa Rica? There is more to life than just being pretty.
