Apparently the National Costume Competition of the Miss Universe Pageant is largely a crash course in cultural stereotypes. While some contestants donned more traditional clothing from their home countries, others created extravagant costumes roughly inspired by their heritage. And Miss USA showcased two of the most… » 11/04/13 2:20pm 11/04/13 2:20pm

Alana "Honey Boo Boo Child" Thompson and her very intense mother June appear on Friday's episode of Anderson, during which a bunch of pageant moms from Toddlers & Tiaras dress up in all the crazy shit they make their daughters wear. These are the terrifying results, and a picture is worth a thousand "dollar make me… » 2/16/12 10:25am 2/16/12 10:25am

Laura Kaeppeler was crowned Miss America last night by the C-list cabal of Kris Jenner, actress Teri Polo, and Dancing With the Stars judge Mark Ballas in a ceremony stripped of whatever former elegance it once boasted for the bloodsport format that so many self-flagellating amateur performers subject themselves to on… » 1/15/12 11:00am 1/15/12 11:00am

Do you love all the drama of beauty pageants but hate the kiddie-porn-esque vibe of children's pageants? Then get thee to Pageant, a documentary paean to the biggest drag pageant there is. [New York Times] » 12/26/08 10:45am 12/26/08 10:45am

It's taken us a while to get around to this, but the new commercial for the Miss USA pageant — airing on NBC on April 11 — is sort of a mindfuck. Instead of sweeping previous embarrassing moments under the rug, NBC is embracing them and encouraging TV watchers to tune in because they might just see a beautiful woman… » 4/03/08 12:30pm 4/03/08 12:30pm