What cost, beauty?

On April 24 Heidi Parson of Idaho Falls was crowned "Mrs. Idaho." According to the pageant publicist, that netted her a "prize package worth $10,000." Of course that includes travel and other expenses for the upcoming Mrs. America pageant in which she is now required to compete. State contests are part of the Miss and Mrs. America networks.

The other Idaho contestants went home more than $1,000 poorer. Simply to enter the Mrs. Idaho (as most other Mrs. state contests) pageant this year cost $800. That's a $50 application fee, $500 entry fee, and a mandatory $250 for the contest's "advertisement page." Add to that a pricey new gown, swimsuit that meets pageant requirements, special bra inserts and good makeup, not to mention babysitting and lost work while preparing for the big event.

All this for a little affirmation? It would be easier to fish for a free compliment from a pal. But hey, without eager contestants these pageants wouldn't rake in a profit up to six figures. That's per pageant.

What does all this really do for women? At first glance displaying that shiny crown at home and listing "Mrs. Idaho" or the more ostensibly beauty-affirming "Miss World" on a resume entitles one to believe she's a knockout, or at least can make herself up to be. Yet at what price comes this compliment?

Money aside, the process can be disaffirming. Undercover journalist Emily Yoffe decided to give the Mrs. contest a whirl from an investigative standpoint; she became Mrs. Washington, D.C., then wrote about it in 2004. Just after she was notified of her acceptance to the state contest, an official made a home visit.

Her initial experience is a great example of the backhanded compliment that is a beauty contest. The official grimaced, then with an emerging smile told this attractive, five-foot-four, 125-pound mother she needed to lose 10 pounds (which dropped her well below a healthy body mass index), left her some diet pills, and suggested she pad her bra. The writer said it made her feel like she weighed 300 pounds and was facing a disappointed blind date. By the time the body-manipulating, pressure-filled process was over and despite the win, Mrs. D.C. felt less confident than when she started.

In 2006 multiple pageant winner Amanda Angelotti wrote that she believed the campaigns touting lofty ideals, scholarships, and help-the-world mentalities. Ultimately disillusioned, she gave up her final crown to a runner-up before she could compete in Miss America. She wrote that behind the scenes, it's still about hairspray and rehearsing "cute" quips to complete a pageant-desired picture. She called it a "subtly dishonest" process that encourages smart, talented women to "ignore their whole selves."

True and lasting confidence comes not from comparing oneself to others, but from being satisfied independent of such comparisons. And should be free.

Sholeh Patrick is a happily imperfect columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Sholehjo@hotmail.com