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Beth - Each time I've seen a show like this (be it reality tv or a documentary) I have always come to the same conclusion: This is the parent's dream far more than it is the child's. The kids are somewhat talented, and would do well if they were left to just do school plays and such. But the parents have stars in their eyes and want to push the kid to be something they're not.

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I find it interesting that when you look at the family histories of the recent "disasters" when it comes to celebrities and their lack of reality, the one thing that sticks out for me is the fact that they all had parents that stripped them of their childhood, and instead made them grow up too quickly, forced them to do something that they weren't ready to do, and when they finally do grow up, they are not functional members of society.

Don't get me wrong, their are many people who have the same situation that have grown up into actual contributing and functional members of society, but I find it interesting that this parental push is talked about in each of the stories about their lives.

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fabulous. i just forwarded that quote from the end to every mom I love.

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I think the writer makes a good point about the parents being over-involved, but who in his/or her right mind would let their child fend on their own in Hollywood?
Nice to see that you will be updating on this show, the updates are popping-up on my news-feed on my page of links to this show, www.squidoo.com/ikmkas

As far as "child abuse", in episode 3 I was appalled that such a highly charged scene would be staged on a STAIRCASE! (the TOP of a staircase). Even though the children knew that the big guy was going to jump out, just the added fact that they were in a competition...well it looked dangerous to me.

They made a big deal on the VH-1 extras about how much blocking was done, but I didn't see any extra safety measures. I really do hope that kids don't try that at home.

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I have had the good fortune OF BEING ON VACATION FOR TWO WEEKS AND MISSING THE SHOW! PEER PRESSURE IS NOTHING COMPARED TO NOMMY PRESSURE ON SHOW NUMBER 1.EVERYONE IS AWARE THAT MOMMY WANTS TO BE THE STAR. I CAN NOT REMEMBER THE MOTHERS NAME-- BUT I CAN NOT FORGET THE EYES OF HER DAUGHTER.WHO COULD FORGET THE QUESTION "CAN YOU SEE MY TAMPON"?
I THINK SHE SHOULD HAVE WONDERED IF THE POOR KID COULD SEE HER BALLS- I THINK SHE IS A MAN!
HOW MANY MORE SHOWS MUST WE ENDURE WATCHING THIS RUDE CRUDE BEHAVIOR? I AM SURE SHE WILL BE RUNNER UP -HE, SHE, IT IS A DRAMA DRAG QUEEN! TAMPON --? PLEASE!

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I really hope Mary Jo's Mom reads this. It is this simple your child has PITCH PROBLEMS! She is lovely and has a lot of talent and she also looked great on camera, that being said....She needs a professional vocal teacher preferably with an MFA in Voice.

The child actors in New York for the most part have professional voice teachers and acting coaches. She can't compete with these kids yet. A good voice teacher will also help your daughter overall become more polished and professional. I am sure there are plenty of qualified people in Florida, but please proceed with caution get someone with a higher degree in VOICE! A bad teacher can do more harm than good. So interview them, attend a student showcase. Listen for solid, straight and strong singing not all of the crazy pop wanna be type of sound.

I have been a theater actress since I was 11, I am not a fan of children performing or stage parents. This is a rough business and I might be leaving it soon myself. But it is obvious that your daughter like you said loves performing and really does seem to want it. But PLEASE DON'T PUSH! Casting is a very strange beast and you daughter very well might have been the best actress for a role, but someone decided they didn't want a Blonde, or she was too short, too tall, too pretty, not pretty enough, too spunky, not spunky enough, too old, too young....I hope you are getting the idea. You have to throw it away when you don't get a job. If she does enter the business professionally she will go on hundreds of auditions a year and only land a few of them. That is the reality of the business.

Once you get off that horrible show, and I am sorry but I have seen clips and the way it is edited is fairly obvious to exploit both the parent and their children. Also Rocky is a nightmare, and the only reason they are keeping her on is because she makes what they think is "good TV". Her poor daughter could end up EXTREMELY messed up if she doesn't change soon.

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Thank You for your acknowledgement to the editing piece of the show. I do appreciate that you took the time to write this.

As to your thoughts on the other points that is certainly one way of looking at things. I do differ with my opinion as I do think there are children that do great with becoming child stars. I think society as a whole focuses on the negative much more than positive.

I saw one thread that actually had people posting about all the child stars who have gone bad. It seems as if in most comments and threads people focus on negative with little positive if any. It would be great to see a thread that posted about child stars who have done great.

Tracy, No, not all parents have stars in their eyes. I have never in my life wanted to sing, act, dance, or be on any tv show. I have to admit I have absolutely no talent and I don't care. I never had any desire to be famous and to be honest I hope I don't have to be on tv again. I think it is unfair to clump all parents in the same category.

Mary Jo loves to act. She has such a passion for acting. Mary jo has been in numerous school plays, community theater, etc. She did fabulous! She has such a love for it that she wanted to take this further.

I tell my children that they should chase their dreams and do what makes them happy and what they love to do. Life is short and I want my children to be happy. I want both of them to choose a career that makes them happy and what they love to do. I do not tell them to choose a career that makes the most money. Money does not buy happiness and does not bring fulfillment to your life.

My son wants to be a minister and feels a calling. This job will not bring him a huge paycheck but will give him happiness beyond what money can buy.

Mary Jo is happy acting and it may or may not bring her a good paycheck. I know that if she goes and works on Broadway when she is older then her pay will be average and that will be great if she is truly happy and doing what she loves to do.

I am in no way a perfect parent but I am a parent who loves her children. I feel very blessed to have both of my children and thank God every day for them.

I do not look at life as to how rich I can get or how famous. I think there is a much greater purpose in life. The purpose for me in my life is to be a Christ follower. I have a strong religous belief and for me that comes first in my life above everything. In my house God is first and we try and live in his light. That doesn't make me perfect just forgiven.

In closing I would like to extend a invitation Beth if you would like to come and talk with Mary Jo to see who she really is. You are also welcome to talk with her teachers and her school that she went to from 1st to 6th grade. (she is online school now)
Mary Jo is a well rounded child and has so many achievements besides this tv show. Mary was the winner of the Disney dreamer and Doer award for her school in fourth grade and was nominated again in fifth. (this award is given to a student with good grades, good attitude, and helping others)
Mary Jo started a program at her school in 6th grade called KAPP (Kids Against Peer Pressure).
Mary works at the church every Sunday that she is home helping with fourth and fifth graders. She is very active in her youth group and actually goes to two different churches so she can be involved in both groups.
Mary has one of the highest FCAT (standard testing for state of Florida) scores within her grade for her district. She is a straight A student.
These are things you don't see and don't hear about.

Mary Jo is a tween and this is an age when hormones rage and everything is ten times worse then they really are. It is normal for her to act the way she does sometimes so please don't fault her for acting her age. She does get corrected and she does learn from her mistakes. If my child acted perfect all the time I think that would scare me more.

Rather a child is in Hollywood or not that child can get into just as much triouble. It does come down to parenting. There are many children that get into trouble and they don't have to go to Hollywood to do so. In the end it comes down to how they are raised most of the time. I am convinced that if a child becomes "famous" that does not mean they have to end up in trouble.

I love the fact that my kids have big dreams. I am proud of both of them and I will support them with their dreams as far as they can go as long as it is something they love to do and really and truly want to do it.

I don't post much because I refuse to get caught up in the negativity. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us and how much I appreciate all the nice comments! You guys are awesome!!

The people that post that are not supportive but have the best interest of the children then I thank you as well. I am so happy that there are people who take the time to care about others and want to make sure the kids are safe. The world needs more people who truly care about children.

To the haters that post...I hope that someday you will be able to look and find positive. No matter what you do God loves you and as such so do we.

Sincerely,
Pam Glover (Mary Jo's mom)

God Bless,
Pam Glover

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April 9, 2008

I would love to comment on the show, "I know my Kids a Star."

I happened to be channel surfing when I came across this awesome show!

I have to say I just love Rocky! She is the most freaking awesome mom and the most ballsy and funny woman I have seen in a long time on TV! I have to ask, is she an actress? I thought she may have been the actress who played Carly Corinthos for a time on General Hospital, was that her? Ok, if she is not an actress, you need to get this woman signed! She brings a new and spunkier meaning to the words, "Reality TV!"

I for one would love to hang out with this woman, I laugh at all the times she stands her ground against some of the other not so hip mothers and I do not care what anyone says about her hair, weave or not, its the bomb! I could only wish I could look as great as Rocky does! I would also love to have my hair done like Rocky, she looks like a million bucks and I think both her and her daughter take the prize when it comes to who I think should win on here! I just love the two of them!

Thanks and I hope this show stays on the air and becomes a series, its the best!!!!!

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I think the Rocky/Hayley relationship is the most in trouble at this point for the following reasons:

1. Hayley just doesn't seem at all interested in singing/dancing or acting. Her horrible mother is a D-list actress with few acting skills and no real success to her name. It is her mother's dream to be 'famous' not Hayleys.

2. The 'is my tampon showing?' comment was wicked. My daughter is 10 and she was horrified. She told me if I said that to her on tv she'd be so ashamed and embarrassed she'd never speak to me again. She also wondered how Hayley would deal with all the kids making fun of her at school after the show aired. You know kids will make fun of Hayley for that comment. You know Hayley already feels the hatred of the other kids and parents towards her mother and you can tell it bothers her to no end.

3. When Rocky was the only one who put her hand up and said her child would not be involved in drugs and alcohol because 'it's the way you raise them'. No parent should EVER feel immune from drug involvement by their children. I don't care how much you drill it into their heads, you have to be aware and engaged in their lives in a meaningful way to head the temptation off, and even then kids will still slip through. If you say at age 9 'my kid will never do that' you haven't prepared either yourself or your child for the fact that they might. Of all the kids, I see Hayley following the path of drug and alcoholism, if nothing more than to rebel against her over-involved, over-bearing, selfish mother.
4. A mother who claims her 9-year old child is her 'best friend' needs serious therapy. Your child has enough friends, she needs a loving, supportive parent who puts her needs ahead of her own and establishing boundaries so the child can grow up secure and confident. Any adult, who claims a child is their best friend has serious boundary issues and will only harm their child. No child wants an adult as their best friend, so why should an adult inflict that on their child.

And to the all the parents, who push their children, who are over-bearing and who don't allow their children to grow and mature at their own pace--please take a look at Michael Jackson. By all accounts Michael Jackson was an extraordinarily talent little boy, but his over-bearing abusive father stole his childhood. Children who are denied their childhood, will try to relive those years later in their life, often in inappropriate and disasterous ways. There is a Michael Jackson in everyone of those kids, let him out while it's still appropriate.

Lastly, the ball dancing boy. His mother had made him into a very effeminate young boy and her constant hovering is only going to hurt him.

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Rocky is crazy, seriously, but shes a good mom and she has really good connection with her doughter and i dont know if its her job that Hailie is such a perfect child or what, this kid is so beautiful, her face is so gorgeous n her personality is just .. i dont even know how to describe this girl, im only 17 and im not planing to be a mom soon but if i were sure that my baby's going to be so beautiful n has that personality i wouldnt even think about it, i dont know its just something inside this girl that makes her special over other kids, shes really intleligent girl i just love this girl n its not true that Rocky is overshining her ... i just saw that they were send home and i wont watch 'i know my kid's a star' no more and im sure that a lot of people wont also .. the show gets boring without them !! im sure this kid will be famous sooner or later, and you Rocky are so lucky to have doughter like Hailie :)) im done . one more time show sucks without them ..

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I find this show very fascinating. It is clearly a "reality" show, and like most reality show's it is dressed up like a contest. However, unlike other reality shows such as America's Next Top Model, there doesn't seem to be any sort of prize at the end. So each week when a new child is voted off and the pack gets smaller and smaller, what does the last one standing get? At the elimination on America's Next Top Model the contestants are told you will receive "a contract with cover girl, a photo spread in Elle Magazine, and $500,000 contract with a modeling company." On this show, the contests are simply being told by Danny Bonaduce that they are looking for the next child star. The next big thing in Hollywood. He never says what the plan is for them...

Let's face it, Danny Bonaduce isn't exactly on Hollywoods A-List. It's a miricle HE can even find work. How is he going to magically make these children big stars? He can't possibly have THAT much clout in Hollywood!! (By the way, it would be nice if he could make it through just ONE episode of the show without reminding us 15 times that he was on The Partridge Family...Yeah, we know...It was 20 years ago. What have you done since other than rehab???)

As with every other reality show "star" whoever the child that is crowned "the winner" will fade away into oblivion when season 2 begins. Knowing how VH1 works, Rocky will probably be given her own show. Celebrity culture. Everyone will be given their 15 minutes. And the kids who are being pushed and pushed and pushed into something they really don't or really aren't cut out for will have to find some other way to fill the void that their parents are helping to create.

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When I heard Rocky, in the kitchen say..."Let the kids, be kids", I fell out.

As a full time single father to a little girl who is growing, maturing and learning about life at her own pace...I cringe when watching this show.

These parents are no different than the "little league" parents that I deal with daily. Over the years, I've watched how these children grew, matured and were able to handle the pressures of life. Anecdotal, but probably, nine out of ten of the children whose parents "let their kids be kids" turned out to be the well adjusted teenagers and adults.

Ask former USC qb Todd Marinovich what effect the "little league or stage parent" will have on their child.

Kids don't need another buddy, they need a parent...who doesn't try to re-live their failed lives through their children.

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Cleo,

That's your opinion. Having said that I can assure you Mary Jo will grow in her singing and no she is not perfect. She's twelve and I don't hold her to any sort of perfection.

Mary Jo loves to act and she enjoys every minute of it. She has had more acting classes because she favors that over everything.

In conclusion I want Mary jo to do what she loves to do. Singing and dancing come second to acting for her and that's fine. Believe it or not I am NOT going to make her take lessons if she does not want to. She can take them as she pleases as long as SHE wants to.

This is a reality competition show. The kids excel in different areas. I guess you missed the haunted mansion episode? Mary had a great time and she did an awesome job because she loves doing it and that's great.

I don't push Mary Jo and never will. We have been to so many auditions and have sublet in NY for months. Mary Jo has had alot of rejections and understands that it is not to be taken personal. I tell her all she has to do is do her best and that's wonderful rather she gets the part or not. Success for me is just doing your best and trying.

The show is edited and hopefully in the future it shows the children more. I can tell you as a parent it is hard to go on a reality show with your child and it is very stressful. Mary Jo is a tween and for that she should not be judged. She has moods and at times she does not try her hardest but she's a kid and so be it. The entire show I told her it's ok but don't live with regrets. the one thing I truly did not want to see happen is Mary jo be eliminated when she was not trying and doing her best. I know my daughter and she would have always wondered what if?? For Mary Jo this show was important hence why I agreed. (I hate cameras and have never wanted to see myself on TV)
I did not care about elimination as long as she knew she tried her best because then she would never wonder.

In conclusion getting the parts are not the important parts of an audition it's trying and doing your best and never wondering what if. Rejection for my daughter is alot easier to handle when she puts her heart and soul into it because there is no shame as long as you do that you are a winner no matter what.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the show and please know that as Mary Jo's mom I love to hear her sing happy songs because they are perfect to me:) She's my wonderful daughter and I am proud of her no matter what. In our lives there will always be things much more important than a acting, singing career. God and family and helping others.

Sincerely,
Pam Glover

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Hi Pam,

I just would like to say Mary Jo is my absoulte faveorite contestant on the show at this point. I used to love Rocky and Hailey but now I think you guys have the best shot at winning. I would love to hang out with Mary Jo because she is the type of person I would want to be friends with.

sooo... yah. lol.

by the way im thirteen.

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what's wrong with Mary Jo's left eye (or is it whole side of her face?)? It's almost closed & looks altogether lower (in placement ) on her face!? Is it congenital or an accident or health problem? (Seen clearly in the elimination scene where red Haley left. )

Also I just don't get it about Rocky's Haley being ALL THAT! SHe's very cute, but has wide, almost moon-shaped face with a pointed chin. Cute for a child, but I just don't get all the brouhah about how gorgeous she is!? The award-winning photo looks like one of those "Give me a look like your best friend just died" or "Pretent you just walked in on your best friend with your boyfriend" things that photographers say to prompt their subjects. Also looked like one of those pure happenstance moments that got nicely caught on film, but you NEVER saw little Haley look like that in day-to-day life nor was her attitude like that--she was just a slightly troubled, harassed, but quiet girl. I'm not jealous either, I'm grown with no girl children, but just honestly don't see what everyone else seems to & WANT to know how to see it or WHY I don't see it!? And was Rocky on Crack or meth or somthing? In that last self-filmed closet or bathroom scene where she said she couldn't sleep, I'm thinking it was due to cocaine--I know it can happen in cocaine-users & they frequently stay up all night). She was just too hyped & spastic for it to be simply lack of sleep.

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I just want to let those who think that this show "I Know My Kid's a Star" was televised child abuse, they were wrong. Because discipline starts at home if, you known what I mean! And the way you raise a child that’s how he or she grows. Actually kids are different in many ways of life, don't ask me ask the creator himself GOD. Sometimes some kids want you to help them to become somebody in their lives so bad, they want to try everything. But because some of them are too scared to express themselves to their parents they just keep it inside until they grow up with it. And also I read some comments from people saying that parents used "their children's success to their names. It is a mother's dream to be 'famous' not kids". Yes I do agree with you, but those parents or mothers are those children who didn't get a chance to express their feelings when they were little, so they want to use their kids play their role they didn't play.
Please give chances your kids when they ask you, even though it is hard to finish a competition, don't worry what people think, and just worry what your kids want you to do in her or his life.VH1, let my daughter know when this show is going to start auditioning again because she can't wait to be there. Good job Danny Bonaduce.

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