The Pressure - In the Life of a Beauty Queen - Suicide Rates Are Rising! Being In the Spotlight

Understanding the Mental Health Crisis Behind the Glamour of Beauty Pageantry

National CASA Advocate for Children/Author/Public Speaker/Blogger

The Pressure: The Life of a Beauty Queen - Suicide Rates Are Rising

Being in the Spotlight

The path of a beauty queen is highly competitive and uncertain. The stress of working so hard and still coming up short can weigh heavily on a person's self-esteem. Many people who aspire to be in the spotlight place enormous pressure on themselves to be perfect-or even "beyond perfect." That stress alone can take a serious toll on a person's mental health.

As little girls, many of us grew up watching the Miss America and Miss USA pageants on television, dreaming of wearing a beautiful gown, walking across the stage, and winning the coveted crown. That dream inspired generations of young girls. Today, beauty pageants have evolved into a major industry, with countless pageant systems across America and around the world.

The world of pageantry is filled with bright lights, glamorous gowns, creative talent, and exciting opportunities. Then comes the interview-a major component of many scholarship pageants. There is a tremendous amount of preparation involved, and the pressure to compete is intense.

Like many competitive activities, pageantry also has its share of "pageant politics." You can perform your absolute best, clearly deserve to win, and still come up short because of circumstances beyond your control. That alone can be devastating for a young woman who stepped onto the stage and gave it everything she had.

The Mental Health Factor

Striving for perfection at all costs-and never truly feeling comfortable in your own skin because of constant judgment-can be emotionally exhausting.

Body shaming, media scrutiny, and the disappointment of not achieving a desired title all come at a cost. That cost is often mental health.

The pressure can gradually chip away at a competitor's self-esteem and self-image. Not reaching personal goals can lead to overwhelming disappointment. Many competitors also feel they have let down the people who believed in them-their coaches, families, friends, and supporters. Those emotional burdens can become incredibly heavy.

Imagine being a young child carrying all of that pressure.

If a child is not emotionally supported in a healthy and appropriate way, they may begin to spiral internally. Anxiety, self-doubt, and perfectionism can take hold. In some cases, they may develop serious mental health conditions or eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, depression, or anxiety.

It all goes back to one thing:

THE PRESSURE

Here Are Some Reasons Many Beauty Queens Struggle

1. Intense Public Scrutiny and Pressure

Beauty queens often live under constant public attention. They are expected to maintain a certain image, perform flawlessly in competitions, and represent their states or countries with grace. These expectations can create chronic stress, particularly when results are uncertain or personal goals are not achieved.

2. Social Media and Online Criticism

Social media amplifies both praise and criticism. Pageant contestants may face harsh comments, unrealistic beauty standards, cyberbullying, and online trolling, all of which can damage self-esteem and contribute to depression.

3. Career and Identity Pressures

For many women, pageantry serves as a stepping stone to careers in modeling, media, public speaking, or advocacy. However, the path is highly competitive and uncertain. The pressure to succeed can begin to feel like a measure of personal worth rather than simply the outcome of a competition.

4. Mental Health Struggles

Both Brynn Carnesecca and Cheslie Kryst experienced depression and emotional pain.

Brynn's sister described her as "the brightest of lights," while acknowledging that she struggled deeply. Cheslie Kryst's mother has since spoken publicly about her daughter's long battle with depression. Unfortunately, these struggles often remain hidden because of the stigma surrounding mental illness.

5. Isolation and Lack of Support

Despite their public visibility, many beauty queens experience profound loneliness. The competitive nature of pageantry can make it difficult to build lasting friendships, and many contestants feel compelled to hide their personal struggles from the public.

6. Trauma and Past Experiences

Some contestants have endured personal trauma, abuse, or significant hardships before entering pageantry. These experiences can compound existing mental health challenges.

7. Systemic Issues Within Pageantry

Critics argue that some pageant systems place unrealistic expectations on contestants by emphasizing narrow beauty standards while expecting perfection under constant public scrutiny. This environment can contribute to burnout, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.

What Can Be Done?

Mental health advocates encourage pageant organizations to provide greater access to mental health resources, promote open conversations about emotional struggles, and recognize contestants for who they are beyond their titles.

While every individual's story is unique, the recurring themes-public pressure, mental health struggles, perfectionism, and isolation-highlight the need for systemic change and more compassionate support.

Here Are Just a Few Stories of Young Beauty Queens Who Ended Their Lives Far Too Soon

We pray for the families who miss them every single day.

Former Pageant Queen Brynn Carnesecca

Former pageant queen Brynn Carnesecca died by suicide at the age of 21, just weeks before she was scheduled to compete again.

Her mother, Michele Carnesecca, shared during a candlelight vigil in American Fork, Utah:

"But she is more than what happened to her. We would like to celebrate the amazing life she lived."

Her story reminds us that we never truly know what someone may be struggling with beneath the surface.

Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst

Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst died by suicide in New York City on January 30, 2022, at the age of 30.

Hours before her death, she sent a final text message to her mother and posted one last Instagram message that read:

"May this day bring you rest and peace."

Friends described Cheslie as radiant, compassionate, intelligent, and full of light. Privately, however, she had been battling depression.

Her mother, April Simpkins, has since spoken publicly about her daughter's mental health journey in hopes of encouraging others to seek help.

Cheslie's legacy extends far beyond her pageant titles. She is remembered for her advocacy, kindness, and commitment to promoting self-acceptance and mental wellness.

Kailia Posey - Toddlers & Tiaras Star

Imagine Being Only 16 and Feeling Like Your Life Is Over.

Mental health matters.

Kailia Lexis Posey (April 19, 2006 - May 2, 2022) was an American beauty pageant contestant and reality television personality best known for her appearances on TLC's Toddlers & Tiaras.

She began competing in pageants at just three years old and quickly became one of the show's most recognizable faces. Later, she earned several pageant titles and was recognized for her contortionist talent, which led to professional touring opportunities. She also appeared in the Netflix film Eli and dreamed of becoming a commercial pilot.

On May 2, 2022, Kailia died by suicide at the age of 16.

Her family described her as an accomplished teenager with a bright future, countless achievements, and many exciting opportunities ahead.

Her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, wrote:

"A beautiful baby girl is gone. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever."

A Final Thought

As a society and within our local communities, we must be more mindful of our words and actions. Behind every smile, every crown, and every polished appearance is a real person who may be silently struggling.

We never truly know the battles someone is fighting.