Little Miss Hollywood 2001
Story By: Joy Marzilli
Milan and I were scheduled to permanently move from Thailand to live in the U.S. on September 21, 2001. On the last evening I thought that I should run to the department store, Central Plaza, in case I could find a nice dress for Milan. My father accompanied her at our condo while I was on the run and came back in a very short moment. I was fortunate to find this beautiful "Little Wacoal" dress, an upscale brand name clothes for children in Thailand. With no surprise, it cost me more than what I would normally pay for my own clothes.
With excitement, Milan tried on the dress, posed, and walked like a little beauty pageant contestant.
At the age of 2, Milan acted pretty much like a little princess and was passionate about dancing. On Halloween Day 2001 she was also a princess, wearing this lovely dress with a tiara.
Halloween 2001
My husband and I signed Milan up for a toddler ballet dance class at the South Kingstown Guild. There I found a small announcement about the "Little Mr. & Miss Hollywood" contest. However, it took me a few days to call and find out for more information. I also asked around for any comment or opinion from my husband, his family, as well as my family in Thailand.
My husband and his family did not like the idea and totally disagreed with this type of activity. Also, there were no other family members who had tried anything like this before. My husband believed that there must be some sort of connections involved of who to win. He said he was surprised that a 'scientist' like me would be interested in such an activity. When I consulted with my family in Thailand, my mother told me to do whatever my husband wanted me to, in order to keep peace in our family.
However, as a mother knowing and caring for my child, I decided to go ahead and was in tears while filling out the "Little Mr. & Miss Hollywood" application form. I told my husband that "I really don't care what other people think! No one really knows my baby more than I do." At the time I only thought that it should be fun for Milan at the age of 2.
The next morning my husband apologized and gave me his full support. Below is the advertisement that I made for Milan.
The "Little Mr. & Miss Hollywood" event was held on the evening of December 9, 2001 at the Sheraton Providence Airport Hotel. Milan was 2 years and 8 months old. She was competing among 13 other kids who were between 2-4 years old.
This smiling picture of Milan's was part of the Miss Photogenic contest.
Part of her interview was that she wanted to become a doctor! She loved to dance and she loved to swim!
Milan & The Marzilli Cousins!
Milan and Mommy during the intermission!
Milan's final walk before the award announcement!
Madison Grace ... (sitting) - First Runner Up
Milan was awarded:
Best Smile
Best Hair Style
Best Personality
Miss Photogenic
Little Miss Hollywood
As a mother, I felt so overwhelmed! Here came the final moment, there were only Milan and Madison Grace ... left. The judge then announced that the First Runner Up was Madison Grace ...! At that special moment I realized that "Milan" was crowned as "Little Miss Hollywood"! I then began to cry knowing how much it felt like when a contestant won a pageant. Looking at Milan, she was happily smiling and there came a flower bouquet, a tiara, and the Little Miss Hollywood sash. At that same moment, Little Mr. Hollywood was crying and crying. He did not know what it meant and told his parents that he only wanted to go home :-))))
Little Mr. & Miss Hollywood, Rhode Island 2001
One of the judges said that in her entire child pageant contest experience, she had never seen any 2-year old child who was as mature as Milan. She invited me to send Milan onto a future competition in New York City. I told her that "This is it!" since I've never aimed for anything but something fun for Milan.
Mommy & Daddy are proud of Milan!!!