Topic : 08/24 The Dr. Phil House: “Make My Kid a Star,” Part 3

First of all, each child was talented, but I'm glad that Gracie won.  I was also delighted to hear the children gained recognition, had offers, and in general went on to do well for themselves after the show. 

 

I am not surprised that Maria's mother chose not to make a comment about her progress.  I'm  pretty sure that there hasn't been any!  If I was a talent scout I wouldn't touch Maria with a ten foot pole.  Sadly, not because of Maria's doing, but her mother IS "the plague". Veronica seemed to miss the boat altogether.  Yes, Maria is beautiful and talented, but her little light can't shine bright enough to get out of her mother's shadow. 

 

Just speaking the truth, but I wish EVERYONE well.

OK, SO IM SO EXCITED THAT GRACIE WON. THAT LITTLE GIRL IS SO CUTE AND TALENTED. SHE REALLY TRULY DESERVED IT, SHE DRAWS YOU IN WHEN SHE IS ON STAGE OR ANYTHING. SHE SEEMS SHE CAN DANCE, SING, ACT. SHES REALLY A GREAT KID. I DO NOT FEEL THAT GRACIE'S MOM PUSHES HER THAT MUCH AND THAT MAY HELP HER AND BE WHY SHE IS SO ACCOMPLISHED. SHE TRULY DESERVED IT!! GOOD LUCK TO GRACIE && KIKI.

 

VERONICA AND MARIA.

WOW, VERONICA IS IGNORANT. HER DAUGHTER LOOKS LIKE SHE IS TRYING TO BE 18, WHICH SHE ISNT. AND HAS ABSOLUTELY NO TALENT, SHE CANNOT SING A LICK AND SHE IS NOT EVEN THAT CUTE. THERE IS NOTHING APPEALING ABOUT HER AND THE FACT THAT SHE HAS A WITCH OF A MOTHER, GEEZ. THAT WOMAN SHOULD GO AWAY. AND THE FACT THAT DR PHIL GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY AND SHE THROWS IT IN HIS FACE ON HOW SHE DOESNT WANT THAT XBOX 360 AND THIS AND THAT, BUT LET ME GUESS... SHE TOOK IT RIGHT?! YEAH EXACTLY! THEY SHOULD GIVE UP! :( SORRY.

 

MEGAN.

WOW, SHE IS SOOO DARLING. SHE SINGS AMAZING!!! SHE SHOULD REALLY GET INTO SOME MUSICALS OR SOMETHING, SHES SOOO CHEERY! SHE HAS THAT ENERGY JUST LIKE GRACIE. CONGRATS TO HER FOR MAKING CHEERLEADER AND THE CHILDRENS MUSICAL IN HER TOWN. SHE SHOULD KEEP TRYING TO PURSUE HER SINGING.

 

ALANA.

WELL SHE WAS CUTE AND SWEET, BUT I DIDNT FEEL SHE HAD ANY ACTING SKILLS. SHE DEFINITELY COULD NOT SING, BUT HER MOM AND HER WERE REALLY SWEET AND THAT SUCKS ABOUT THE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT. MAYBE WITH SOME PRACTICE SHE COULD ACHIEVE.

 

THE BOYS..

WOW, THEY ARE SOOO CUTE. I THINK THEY COULD HAVE A SHOW TOGETHER, I DEFINITELY WOULD WATCH THAT. KYRIAN IS A DOLL. THERE MOM PUSHES THEM, BUT I THINK SHE KNOWS THEY HAVE TALENT AND WANT TO PURSUE IT.

 

I THINK THAT THE MOMS SHOULD PUSH IF THE KIDS WANT THAT, BUT IF YOU CAN TELL THE KIDS REALLY DO NOT WANT THIS SUCH AS MARIA AND ALANA. I THINK THEIR MOMS SHOULD JUST BACK OFF..

 

I ENJOYED THE SHOW, I ENJOY SHOWS WITH CHILDREN. IM 22 AND IN THAT IN BETWEEN AGE, I LIKE THE VARIETY OF SHOWS :)

 

WELL GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE KIDS, THEY WERE ADORABLE.

CONGRATS ON ALL THE AUDITIONS AND JOBS THEY RECEIVED!!

..yes I watched that today, as the infamous Veronica is it, says I didnt come here for an x-box

does this woman understand SHE is the deterant to her daughters career? I did modeling for many years as well as local runway shows, many where I worked with children, I tell ya , I would NOT choose her daughter because of the poor attitude her mom has. We HAVE to work with parents where minors are concerned, And she is a headache waitin to happen.We all learn this at a young age, a positive attiude goes further. What is this womans problem,

Honey, didnt ya ever hear the old saying "Ya get more flies with honey than vinigar?

You are like Vinegar.. makes thre face twist up..May your daughter not learn her PR fropm you.

 

Dear Dr. Phil

First,let me say I enjoy watching your show and your topics are things that happen in everyday people lives. Keep Up the good work. TELL Robyn hello i love her elegance  she displays on the set.

 

Now to the heart of why i  registered on your online website. The Mother on Make my Kid a Star was  pathetic and disgusting to me she really p****d  me off with the way she was showing her  child how to be a sore loser. He comments on the show just infuriated me, that a mother would say such things to a child. Her use of or should i say her poor choice of words was totally uncalled for. She must accpet the fact that her child will never win at everything. There will be occassion that she will come in second place or not even place at all. This is one of the worst things a parent can do is push their child/children to the level that she did. I have never wanted to hit a woman in my 44 years  of being on this planet but if i had been close to her she probably would have got a  piece of my mind.

 

Eventually, if she doen't calm down and teach the beautiful talented young child that she will not win at every thing that she compete in. She will cause a riff between her and her daughter and may even lead to SUICIDE; because she feels she can't live up to her mother's EXPECTATIONS. And to me she's a child . YES , we want our children to succed with their dreams, but not at the EXPENSE of losing them forever..

 

Her comments at the end of the show, displayed her lack of appreciation (when she stated i didn't come half-way across the world for no XBOX) UNGRATEFUL,DISGUSTING,INMATURE, POOR PARENTING SKILS. WELL i think you get the point. 

 

JUST HAD TO BLOW THIS STEAM.  

 There were a few things I noted about this show. One is that we did not see what went into how these kids/mom's were chosen to be on the show. Was it just from letters written to him by the mom's? Were there some talent scouts that went out to see these kids in action prior to being picked to be on this show? Meetings with the families/kids/moms beforehand? I imagine there were a gazzillion people trying to get on the show.

It appeared to me and I'll admit that as I stated earlier we weren't given too much background on the selection process so I'm making some presumptions here, but it appeared that Dr. Phil had an agenda, not to focus on the kids really but to focus on the moms. The kids were used to expose the moms. I'd say that from the beginning it is likely that a wide range of mothering types were wanted for the show. This is TV let's not forget.  I'm sure it was evident early on that Kiki was a very supportive mother to Gracie and that Gracie had some real talent. I'd also have to agree with comments made by Kyrian's moms in questioning why their strongest talents weren't focused on more. I would have loved to see her boys play their many instruments. And in defense of Veronica, I'd  venture to guess they knew beforehand the type of mother she was and they targeted her; they threw her into a stress filled situation and just watched her do what they knew she would. This is trickery at the expense of ratings.

I'd also say I wasn't that impressed with the selection of so called "talent" that was chosen. Not even the winner Gracie impressed me beyond belief. I believe that even this was part of Dr. Phil's agenda. The really talented kids are making it on their own already. As a mother of 5, I can honestly say that I have at least 2 children very involved in the performing arts; music (both vocal & instrumental - multiple instruments too) also acting they both could have outshined some of these kids.

We are taking the more laid back approach with them, we don't feel they need to be pushed to be child stars or to achieve fame. We nuture their talent with love, and support through lessons, and encouragement to study the arts when they go to college. We are not constantly at every competition or rehearsal pushing them to do better, rarely do we give them too many comments other than the normal great job; we leave that to the experts (music directors, acting directors, vocal & instrumental coaches & teachers). We want them to do things on their own. The world has enough pressure, they certainly don't need to think they need to do this for us or to help us pay the bills. I've often told my oldest that I could care less if she "makes it" but I care much more that she become a good and caring person and that she be educated.

Hollywood is a joke to me, and as someone here said earlier. Why is this the dream that these parents have for their kids? All you see in the media from Hollywood, is sex and scandal, drug additions, and broken marriages and families. The only semi luring thing is the money, but we all know money can't buy happiness or love. I am so much more respectful of those real actors and performers that never make it to the "big time". The ones that do it because they really just love it and have a passion for it. The local theatres actors who don't get a penny, but put on an excellent show after much hard work in rehearsals.

All that said I did see some talent displayed on this show, Kyrian did have a sparkle in his eye and I'm glad to see he may be on Seasme Street. And Gracie did well too but in fairness she's been living in LA experiencing what it's like there. I totally agree with previous comments in regard to the healthiness of seperating a family like Gracie's parents have. While I totally sense love from both parents and support, but I don't think this is good for the other kids they totally need their mom to give them just as much attention as she does to Gracie.  I have to say shame on pretty much all the mom's for their some of their display but also that we all do that sometimes; crack under pressure that is. Veronica, while I defended you earlier you played right into it and they knew you would. It's totally unappropriate for you to curse or to exploit your daughter's sexuality the way you do. We see enough skin on TV we certainly don't need to see children's skin too. In my opinion this borders on child porn. Put your money into getting your daughter some professional voice training (especially if her true interest is singing), instead of into exploiting her body.

Thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read my lengthy comments. :)  Good luck to all you kids - may you all find happiness in that which you have the most passion for.

I think these mothers have to get a life and let there kids be kids.It's okay to help your kids achieve what they want but its not okay to be little them, remember your the mother the one they can look to for love and support.

 

 

Sincerely

 

Loving Mother 

I think Veronica was shocked with DrP's take on her behavior and the fact that he was no-nonsense in her face. I think it made her angry and remember, she thought they were playing favorites. I'm not sure she can see herself the way she really is. I think that's why she wouldn't say how Maria was doing.

Hello, my name is Dayna Lane~

 I love Dr. Phil and his shows. I think his topics are truly great and really there is so much to learn from his shows. I do feel that all the moms in the show were kinda hard on the kids except for Gracie's mom. Don't get me wrong, I believe that all the moms have good intentions, & are good moms, doing the best that they can as moms.

Hopefully, this will be a wake up call for all of them to support the kids and not be to hard on them. I myself am a singer and I have been working in the music industry for some time and I can tell you, it is not an easy road for the parents or the kids. I think if the moms just tone it down with their kids, the kids may be more successful. Nobody wants to be yelled at for trying. I understand that they want to push their kids to be successful but I do believe there is a better way for them to guide their children. I am grateful to my mom because she was not your A typical stereo type "Stage Mom"! She herself is a dancer and puts on a lot of musical theater acts on. A few per each year.  A lot of work! She always made me apart of her shows if I wanted to be apart of them. She never made me feel bad if I didn't want to sing in her shows. She was always happy to have me apart of it, but if I choose not to be in them, she was not hard on me at all!  My situation is somewhat different, because I new what I was born to do when I was very young. I was 3 when I began singing and it was my dream that I wanted. I new it was a gift given to me  from god and at a young age I wanted to mare a difference with a song. It was not my moms dream to have me be a singer. Granted I was kinda born into a family that was always on the stage, but it was still me that wanted to be a singer. My mom always supported me and did not push me to do anything I wasn't comfortable with.

Getting to the part I wanted to say about Gracie. I completely feel that she deserved the prize. I could tell that it was her own dream. Her mom did not at all seem like a "Stage Mom" to me. They both seem very genuine in that it is Gracie's dream. Her mom supports her daughter and believes in her child's passion. To all the other parents, you can't say she is not talented!Gracie did deserve the prize. She is a natural and obviously it was apparent from the beginning. Some kids are just born with a natural gift and I believe she has it! Not saying the other kids don't have the potential, because we all have potential to make our dreams come true with hard work, support and belief in ourselves. You gotta chase your dream and I would encourage all kids and adults to pursue their passions and dreams. We all just have different paths and thats what makes us all unique. The great thing about being a kid these days, is that now the Internet and all these talent shows on TV is a great chance for your kid to have a chance in television, singing, Broadway and so on.

Any who, I am getting carried away but I am passionate about this subject, because its my life, so I understand these parents and the kids. Gracie brought tears to my eyes when I saw her win. I am not joking. I was so happy for her joy that I too cried!I  was rooting for her to win, because she seems really passionate and genuine. The fact that her mom picked her life up and moved them to Cali, is just amazing to me. Gracie and her mom deserved this, Also, That was so nice of Gracie's mom to invite the rest of the kids and parents to join in on the prize they won! They are genuine people. I believe that being genuine in the heart will take you far! I say be in the business because you love to act, sing and so on. Don't get into the business to be famous. That will come if you are genuine. Plus its more appealing to others to see you do it for the passion. Well, sorry I babbled on and on but I just wanted to share my feelings and I wanted to congratulate Gracie and I wish her loads of success!! Congrats to all the kids who also tried and did a great job! Keep trying and keep on believing. You will figure out along your way if this is for you or not!! All My love xoxoxoxox Dayna Lane

My children were very involved with children productions, dance competitions, and music/vocal activities  locally when they were younger.  The stage mom's were very typical.  For me as a single mother it was a fun family activity.  I didn't

 have the resources or the time to do commercial auditions of major productions in the city. As a family, the three of us were very happy to kids go big time, and 9 out of 10 were the nice ones without the stage mom. I have to admit that there were times when I thought results of competitions  weren't always right , or encouraged my kids a little much. I always tried to back off when they weren't having fun. My son decided to quit when he was 11 and my daughter for financial reasons switched to just school stuff by the time she was in high school. Now in their early 20's , they both love to speak publicly. My daughter is an NBA cheerleader an models  and my son plays in 2 bands. What i'm trying to say is that the talent these kids  have will show through if the moms back off and let them have fun. Otherwise they will avoid it and resent it.

After seeing that this series of episodes was going to air, the "cringe & creep factor" almost kept me from watching again.  I thought, perhaps with the passage of time, these mothers weren't really as bad as first thought.  Boy, was I wrong. 

Kiki is a little over the top, but it appears that she is the kind of stage mom who has a genuinely healthy relationship with Gracie and is more likely to get along with the pros.  Whether or not Gracie ever achieves "star status", IMO she has a bright acting future ahead of her and I wish her all the best.

 

At the other end of the spectrum is Veronica.  Poor Veronica, trying so hard and yet not understanding that stubborn determination alone does not make a star.  "You don't gotta wave your hand in front of my face" might be fitting for an episode of The Sopranos, but yikes, not as a rebuke to Dr. Phil.  "I didn't come all this way for an X-box" was another classless whopper.  Veronica just doesn't know when to shut up.  And despite the repeated instructions to tone down poor Maria's "sexed up" looks, she still sent her daughter onstage with a strapless dress and heavily gelled hair.  It's not surprising that she didn't cooperate with the follow-up.  Here's hoping she's sufficiently embarrassed to change her street-smart, wholly unattractive ways.  Otherwise, Maria is going to suffer.

 

The other three mothers weren't as bad as Veronica, but they were pretty bad.  I'm genuinely happy for Kerian, but I hope his mother has calmed down.  Megan has LOUD confused with acting and I hope that several years in community and school theatre help her to develop a stage presence that coincides with her natural talent and desires.  Unfortunately, the other girl was so lackluster that even after watching all 3 episodes twice, I can't remember her name. 

 

Please Dr. Phil.  Don't do another show on stage mothers anytime soon. 

 

P.S.  And if I never again hear "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", it'll be too soon.