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The Truth Exposed: Unmasking the Dark Side of the Beauty Pageant and Film Industry

Writer's picture: Aashita ShekharAashita Shekhar

Updated: Feb 11


The beauty pageant and film industries have long been synonymous with glamour, prestige, and the promise of success. However, behind the dazzling lights and picture-perfect moments lies a world of manipulation, favoritism, and unethical business practices. Many hopeful individuals invest their time, energy, and hard-earned money, only to find themselves deceived, pitted against others, and emotionally drained. Having witnessed and experienced this firsthand, I feel compelled to shed light on the harsh realities that many are too afraid to speak about.

 

The Ugly Truth Behind Beauty Pageants

Beauty pageants often present themselves as platforms for empowerment, offering contestants exposure, networking opportunities, and career advancement. However, in reality, these competitions frequently operate as money-making schemes designed to exploit participants. Contestants are required to pay high registration fees, additional costs for photoshoots, training sessions, costumes, and even “optional” categories that supposedly increase their chances of winning.

Yet, despite these financial commitments, many find that promises remain unfulfilled. In some cases, winners are predetermined—not based on talent, confidence, or charisma, but on financial contributions. Those who pay more, whether through sponsorships or direct payments, are often favored over others. It’s a bitter truth that many only realize after spending thousands of dollars in vain. Having seen this firsthand, I can confidently say that the system is rigged against those who believe in fair competition.


However, there is another side to the story.

Sometimes, there are indeed right people and organizers who uphold fairness and integrity. When such individuals are involved, true talent, dedication, and perseverance rise to the top. When right people are selected, and they do great things. When fairness prevails, some truly deserving individuals rise to the top, and their success is a reflection of their true talent, dedication, and perseverance. While the system may often seem corrupt, it’s important to remember that when the right people are chosen, they not only inspire others but also help expose these injustices. Their success brings the spotlight to the underlying flaws, encouraging change and accountability. It’s crucial to support and uplift those who are truly deserving, and when that happens, they pave the way for others to follow.

 

 The Exploitation in the Film Industry

The film industry, particularly independent productions, is equally plagued by deception and unethical practices. Here is one of the reported examples:

A project was presented as a major opportunity, requiring individuals to pay an upfront registration fee for a song shoot. The person handling the registrations used aggressive and manipulative tactics, constantly pressuring participants by showing images of others who had already paid. The urgency created a false sense of scarcity, making people feel they had to act fast or lose the chance.

 

After the payment was made, the reality shifted. New conditions were suddenly introduced—unexpected weight loss requirements, extended project timelines, and additional fees for other roles. When concerns were raised about misleading information, the response was dismissive and unprofessional.

But the most insidious aspect of these productions is how they control the mindset of participants. Organizers intentionally create an atmosphere of rivalry, convincing participants that they are in constant competition with one another. This psychological manipulation breeds insecurity, doubt, and unnecessary animosity. These tactics are often used to manipulate participants—constantly comparing them to others, telling them someone else is "better," "more qualified," or "more deserving" based on superficial criteria. It becomes evident how the industry pits competitors against each other, not due to their own actions, but to create rivalry for its own benefit.

Even worse, such tactics don’t stop at comparison—they extend to breaking relationships. The industry thrives on keeping individuals isolated, preventing unity against the system. Attempts are often made to create misunderstandings and foster division among participants. The goal is to encourage competition, distrust, and submission, maintaining power by making people believe they must fight alone.

And when the deception starts unraveling, they have one final weapon—making you believe it was all your fault.

When you begin questioning the lies, they flip the narrative. They tell you that you "misunderstood," that you "didn’t try hard enough," that you "should have known better." They use psychological gaslighting to shift the blame, making you doubt your instincts, your intelligence, and even your own worth. The system thrives on making people feel like they were the problem when, in reality, the system itself is broken.

This isn’t just an individual experience—it’s an industry-wide practice. How many aspiring actors, models, and artists have been told they weren’t "good enough" when the truth is, they were simply unwilling to be exploited? How many have been made to feel like failures just because they refused to play a corrupt game?

 

The film and pageant industries have mastered the art of deception, but their reign over talent, truth, and opportunity is coming to an end. The more people expose these realities, the more these industries will be forced to reform. The Golden Era is here, and it’s time for the real, the ethical, and the truly talented to rise.

 

The Call for Change: A New Era of Ethics and Accountability

As we transition into the Golden Period, where truth and authenticity are rising, it is time to expose the corruption in these industries. Real talent must no longer be overshadowed by money and manipulation. If the beauty pageant and film industries are to survive, they must adopt ethical and transparent practices.

 

 

What Needs to Change?

Full Transparency – Terms and conditions should be disclosed upfront, with no hidden costs, sudden demands, or last-minute rule changes.

Merit-Based Selection – Favoritism based on financial contributions must end. Competitions and roles should be awarded based on talent, not who pays more.

Psychological Ethics – Organizers must stop pitting contestants against each other, stop using manipulative comparison tactics, and stop creating unnecessary rivalries.

Accountability for Organizers – Those who engage in deceptive practices must be held responsible. Refund policies should be fair, and misleading promises must have consequences.

A Collective Movement for Reform – Those who have experienced such exploitation must come forward, share their stories, and demand change.

This is a call to all authentic and ethical individuals—it is time to step forward, expose the truth, and reclaim these industries. The real and talented must take the place they deserve, ensuring a future where honesty, integrity, and genuine opportunity prevail.

The Golden Era is upon us, and the time for change is now.

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