To let my daughter audition for a tv talent show

[Notimefortossers]

She's nearly 8. She saw the show advertised on TV asking for people to apply and begged begged begged me to let her do it. I was on the lap top at the time and she was way over excited, gave me the web address and stood over me answering all the questions for her application.

So the application went in, even though I wasn't sure in my own mind whether it was a good thing for her to do or not.

She's done some singing. She's always given the lead roles in school productions and has been in musical theatre group for a year where she was also given the lead role. No professional vocal coaching though. She has a sweet and tuneful voice, but I wouldn't say it was extraordinary.

My concerns are obvious really. I don't want her to be disappointed, discouraged, sad or for it to affect her self esteem if she doesn't get through.

But on the other hand I sang as a child and was very good (if I do say so myself). My parents were not supportive. They didn't think it was a proper career. I was never allowed to pursue past amateur level, but I think I could really have gotten somewhere had they not discouraged it.

At the end of the application it said they may not be in touch for several months if at all, which I explained to her and shared with her my concerns about her being disappointed etc, that it was very tough, thousands of people etc. So I have an easy get out if we decide not to let her do it. I'll just say I never heard back.

I'm thinking perhaps it would be a good idea to follow the show this year and see what the standard is?

Fast forward a couple of weeks and I've just had an e-mail inviting her to audition in two weeks time. So it's decision time. Doesn't leave a lot of time to practise especially as we're going on holiday on Sunday for a week, but at a push it is do-able.

WWYD? I'm torn between encouraging her to follow her dreams and protecting her from the big bad world

[HermyOne]

Let her do it

[Lilmisskittykat]

Curious here.. What's the show? musical theatre voices seem to do well on Britain got talent but no so much on X factor.

Whichever way, she's elected to do it so maybe just let her and just support her through the process however it goes.

Two weeks is lots of time to practice I think as she can do it wherever.

[Notimefortossers]

The age bracket for the show is 7-14

[Lilmisskittykat]

Well age wise she's fairly pitched against peers then

[gamerchick]

My daughter did the BGT thing a few years ago. It was fab fun albeit a looooong day. Its just an elimination round and 100s and 100s of people are there. It was quite the experience for her even though it went nowhere. Let her do it shell enjoy it.

[MiddleClassProblem]

I'm guessing it's for kids tv?

If it's for her age bracket then go for it. It's not like you're being a pushy parent. Just remind her that you're proud of her no matter what happens.

[SnipSnipMrBurgess]

With a show aimed at 7-14@ I would let her do it.

At her age for BGT or shows like that? Nope, not a hope.

[WannaBe]

If it's aimed specifically at children then I probably would. Otoh if it's something like Britain's got talent then no I wouldn't.

Nothing wrong with aspiring to dreams of performing, but not as a main career as it's something which is notoriously difficult to get into regardless of level of talent. So even if she were to achieve some success she should definitely be encouraged to pursue alternative career as a primary source of income.

[EnquiringMingeWantsToKnow]

Which TV company? And is it aimed at an adult or child audience? I'd hope that anything using that age group should have its ethics more firmly rooted than an adult talent show, but there are alway exceptions.

[Notimefortossers]

Sorry I'd not seen any replies before I posted second time. It's a new show. The Voice Kids.

[Notimefortossers]

It was advertised on CITV, so I think for a child audience

[SquidgyRedBall]

Go for it, if anything it will show her at an early age that she can't win everything. (Although she might!!)

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

if it's for kids then I'd say yes. But equally, if you want to support her I think you need to work out what that looks like in your own mind. It's not just blindly saying 'yes' to everything. It could be anything from a selection of classes, exams, local theatre auditions, local competitions, West End auditions, or doing nothing (the best singer I know was untrained until she was 18 as her mother was over-trained and ruined her voice).

It's probably not TV talent shows (I promise that's not me being snippy or sniffy). So work out the best approach for her and stick to it. Treat this as a one-off.

[BurnTheBlackSuit]

Is it The Voice kids? I think you should let her do it.

[molyholy]

Yes the voice kids. My dd7 wanted to apply. Tbh, she does have a fabulous voice and I am not being biased. She begged me to apply and I started to fill in the application form. I didn't try to dissuade her, but I did explain that she may not get picked etc. She was adamant she wanted to do it and I thought oh why not, a day out. An experience for her. But she has now changed her mind and tbh, I am relieved. But it sounds like your dd is confident, lead roles, in a theatre group etc, so go for it. But just be aware that there will be a load of kids who have been doing the circuit for years, as depressing as that sounds.

[MiddleClassProblem]

As it's all kids, the judges will be acting appropriately. The voice has always been a programme that only puts people on that can sing rather than a shaming programme like xfactor which seems to enjoy the lynching in auditions and then one to take to finals. They wouldn't do that with children though (I hope) but as I said, the voice is a different kettle of fish.

You don't want her feeling that you held her back either.

[MrsToddsShortcut]

I'm wondering if it's The Voice for kids? Have they heard her sing? If you think she genuinely wants a career in performing arts/singing, I'd be inclined to go the traditional route and just get her voice trained and perform locally and then go to a PA/Drama school later if she wants to.

I just worry that the TV companies who produce these shows don't really give a monkeys about the kids performing; they are doing it for ratings. That's not to say that they are irresponsible or would mistreat them, but that the children are really secondary to them producing good telly/expanding their brand.

I don't know. Audition stage will probably be fun but anything beyond that might be an awful lot of pressure even if she is among peers. That said, I am old and have horrible memories of New Faces and Mini-pops so should probably be ignored!

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

I'm not sure to be honest. You say she's always chosen for the star parts in the play and then she doesn't get through, and next minute the other children could start turning nasty. Ha ha you thought you were going to get through. Children can be cruel, op especially jealous and over looked ones.
I think the only thing you can do is tell your dd that she might not get through, and the other might laugh if she doesn't. Can she handle that. If she can rise above it. Then definitely tell her to go for it.
I'm in no way wanting to upset of rain on your dds parade. I'd just rather tell you what could be worse case senario. OTOH though she may get through and everyone will be over the moon for her.
What ever she decides I wish her well.

[MiddleClassProblem]

I doubt the win a record contract for the kids show

[yougottheshining]

In all honesty I wouldn't. In fact I didn't when I was approached about something that sounds similar for ds1. He's done a few bits of telly (not with me pushing it - he kind of fell into the first one and then was asked to do other stuff off the back of it).

He does enjoy the actual filming and everyone is super nice to him BUT I always find it a pain in the arse dealing with telly people because they are shit at admin so everything is last minute and they also expect you to keep a four week window free for one day of filming and they phone you all the fucking time.

I refused to let him do the talent show because even with the bits he's done it's clear that it's not really about him but about having a person - any person will do - that they can frame a narrative around. Obviously it's not as blatant as X factor etc but it definitely happens. I didn't mind so much when it's stuff he doesn't take seriously but he does take his music seriously so I think it would ultimately be quite alienating for him. He already has plans for how he wants to develop music (here is still in primary and is on his second band that he's set up) and knows he has a way to go to learn his craft so I think he's better getting there at his own pace.

[mydietstartsmonday]

Let her do it, she will love the experience. IF she get's picked great, if she doesn't a good life lesson. No harm.

[carefreeeee]

Sounds like a bit of fun...she's far too young to be thinking about a career yet..loads of kids are good at singing/acting/dancing at that age and most don't take it any further.

If a kids' show then they should be nice to her.

I did loads of lead roles including singing as a child, up to late teens, now I never perform in anything, but I enjoyed it at the time and have lots of fun memories

As long as it's not going to cause inconvenience, why not?

[Notimefortossers]

Thanks all. I've not told her yet. Will speak to DH when he gets in to see if he's ok with it and if he is I think I'll let her do it. Thanks for giving me some perspective. And for the tip about Youtube!