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Submitted photo Haley Reed recently appeared on the television program Toddlers and Tiaras. Members of the show’s production crew — production assistants, audio, producer and camermen — enjoyed Haley’s company.

Submitted photo This was taken during a photo shoot in Pigeon Forge, TN.

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Jackson youth featured in TLC hit show Toddlers & Tiaras

by Denise Kinder Staff Reporter

Jackson’s own eight-year-old Haley Reed is use to having all eyes on her during pageants, but not so much while preparing days before the competition.

A six-member crew from TLC became part of the Reed’s family last December. The crew followed Haley and her family while she prepared for the Show Me Smiles Fantasy Pageant in Bernie.

The crew spent a total of three days with the Reed family, two days and the actual pageant day. The crew witnessed how Haley and her family prepared for a pageant by filming her practicing at home, at her modeling lesson, and at Athletes Plus for her cheer class. They also filmed certain landmarks around Jackson including the courthouse, “Welcome to Jackson” sign, and uptown Jackson.

Haley’s whole family is involved with her pageants, so her mother Melonie, father Chuck, and brother Logan all were interviewed and included in the show.

“The whole crew was awesome,” Melonie said. “I would do it again.”

Haley also enjoyed having the crew around. She decided to get one crew member involved in her preparation by having him do coffee grinders, which is a gymnastics trick, with her. About a month later, Haley saw the crew at another pageant she was competing in, and had the same guy do the coffee grinders again.

Melonie said they knew the show was going to be at the pageant in Bernie, and Haley wanted a chance to be on Toddlers and Tiaras, so they submitted her picture in November.

About a week later, TLC asked for a video of Haley. With experience in video production, Logan made a video and sent it in. Haley and two other young ladies were chosen to be featured on the show.

The filming took place before Christmas, so the family was asked to take down all their decorations during the filming.

Another surprise the family found out was the pageant had a Mommy/Daddy and Me category. Haley needed a routine with either her mom or dad the night before the pageant. Chuck, “the ultimate pageant dad,” stepped up and they headed to Haley’s modeling coach, Katie Boyer, for a routine.

With only 30 minutes of practice the night before and the morning of the pageant, Haley and Chuck put on an unforgettable performance to Grease and Michael Jackson music that won them first place in the category. Haley and Chuck both won a crown, trophy, and pink sash.

Chuck has built a room downstairs in their home, just for Haley’s pageants. There are shelves for her crowns and trophies, and mirrored walls so she can practice her routines. Chuck now has his own crown, trophy, and pink sash to add.

Logan gathered a bunch of his friends to come help him cheer his sister on during her competition. The group all wore “Katie’s Kuties” t-shirts, which is the name of Boyer’s group of girls she coaches.

Haley not only won the Daddy and Me category, she also won best smile, outfit of choice, and Mini Supreme. With around 70 girls in the entire contest, Mini Supreme was the third highest title Haley could win in her age group.

Melonie and Chuck said they were a bit nervous to see the show, but more excited. “It was a great experience,” Melonie said. “I wouldn’t knock any of it.”

Melonie said pageants have helped Haley overcome her shyness. “She use to be a hide-behind-mom girl. Now she will talk to anybody.” Haley has also made many good friends from Texas, North Carolina, and all over through competing in pageants that she talks to often.

“We are just a normal family whose daughter likes to do pageants and compete,” said Chuck. “This is her football.”