Synopsis

Winning a beauty pageant is the ultimate modern-day fairy tale. In one magical moment, a previously unknown young woman is elevated from obscurity to local, even international, celebrity. Yet, pageantry is much more than a one-night walk across a stage in a sash and high heels. Pageantry is a culmination of years of hard work, training, and personal development. THE SECRET WORLD OF BEAUTY PAGEANTS takes you backstage to the major competitions and the myriad of smaller ones that make this a fascinating and intense activity for women of all ages, and also a remarkable five billion dollar-a-year industry. From pageant participants young and old, to coaches, special wardrobe designers and pageant directors, THE SECRET WORLD OF BEAUTY PAGEANTS weaves surprising behind-the-scenes stories of intense dedication and sacrifice, and brings to life the secrets, tricks and hidden meaning of a world embodying not only who we are but also who we aspire to be.