Despite the layers of heavy makeup that sparkle under the stage lights prompts

4 months ago

A little American Texan girl, her chubby cheeks framed by a halo of curly blonde hair, reluctantly standing under the spotlight of a local talent show stage. Dressed in an over-the-top, cute and frilly pink tutu that clashes with her size, she's wearing a sparkly, bedazzled top that seems a tad too tight. Her tiny feet are squished into a pair of high heels, the kind that a pageant queen would wear, which she wobbles in unsteadily, hinting at her discomfort. Her parents, dressed in flashy attire with equally as much enthusiasm as the audience, are beaming proudly from the front row, their faces a canvas of excitement and hope. However, the young girl's expression tells a different story. Her eyes, lined with heavy glitter makeup, are glazed over with boredom. Her mouth is a tight line of reluctance, painted a glossy shade of pink. Despite the layers of heavy makeup that sparkle under the stage lights, her true feelings of being out of place are clear. She holds a microphone in one hand, the other fidgeting with the tutu. The glitters on her face do not match the glum look in her eyes. This poignant moment captures the stark contrast between the forced glamour and her authentic self, a silent protest against the expectations placed upon her by the very people who are supposed to cherish her innocence.