On a rundown stage at the Kenya Cultural Center, one of Nairobi’s performance spaces, a nearly 10-year-old boy shimmies around in a shiny jumpsuit. He did splits, somersaults, and twists as if his body were nothing but gum. The accompanying music stops. There was loud applause from the rows of spectators, most of whom were parents, some even looked like they were on a big holiday. “That’s so extreme! »making today’s host enthusiastic with a crackling microphone.
“Next candidate…” A teenager wearing black high heels, hands on hips, paraded like a haute couture model. He spun around, smiled, and delivered a speech: “I want to encourage young Kenyans to believe in their dreams. » Then it was the turn of a shy young girl who, in the middle of the scene, started knitting. Another was seen pulling a rubbish bag, before reading a poem about the dangers of plastic pollution. In the front row, two judges carefully recorded their scores.
This Sunday, November 23, the Kenyan national mini-miss and mini-mister competition took place at a full house. Nearly fifty candidates came from all over the country to try their luck. They are between 3 and 17 years old. Most of them are women, but there are also men.
This competition has been around since 2013. Tinah Lughano, the founder, got the idea, she said, when she was looking for a way to increase her 4-year-old daughter’s self-confidence. After discovering the American reality TV show Toddlers and Tiaras, he decided to import the concept to Kenya. “Here there are two participant profiles: fathers and mothers who encourage their children and children whose hobbies are dance, modeling and talent.”he explained.
Become a model
Many parents in Kenya see this competition as a possible future for their children. Grace Mdinda, 33, came with her 11-year-old son Rayan from Nakuru town, three hours from Nairobi. “My son is an introvert. He plays video games and chess and hates sports. One day he asked us to model. I was very surprised, but it was a good thing. He has gained self-confidence and no longer has problems making friends. »
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