[music playing]
What's going on?
First is talent.
I can't believe this tough as nails
girl is cracking on me on pageant day.
Good lord, what is the problem, child?
What's going on?
Alexis, stop.
Stop.
Come on, girl.
Don't back down on me now.
I'm sorry.
What is the problem?
- I'm so sorry. - No, no.
Why, honey?
Alexis don't do this.
Talk it out.
I, I can't.
I don't even know what I would say.
Alexis, please.
Come on.
This is your opportunity.
You can win this whole thing.
Don't do this.
I realize even-- this is the time
I've got to build this kid up.
I've got to let her know that she can win this.
I do care, and I do see the potential in her.
Look me in my eye.
This is me and you.
Do not blow this opportunity.
You will regret blowing this.
Trust me.
You pull yourself together, and you're
going to be in this pageant.
Yes.
Let's go.
Ladies, we've got about 10 minutes for the show, OK?
Now it's double time, and we have not
a lick of makeup on this child's face
because she's cried it every bit off.
We have got minutes to pull this together.
This is you.
You ain't your past.
You're you.
I was so stressed out about everything
I had to say out there.
I was nervous.
I was extremely nervous.
[music playing]
It is now time to see the second group
of US United contestants in the talent portion.
When you're looking around the room, and everybody
is so glammed up.
Instead of this outfit of choice, which
came from the thrift store and I hope
you learned your lesson from, we decided to bring you this.
[music playing]
When you walked into the studio, this is what I saw you in.
I wanted you to look elegant.
When you do your spoken word, I want you to look like a queen.
It's so me!
Can't wait to hear it.
For this pageant, the girls will be performing their talent
in outfit of choice, so I got Alexis the most amazing dress
that suits her perfectly.
But first I want to see it.
Go put it on.
Mom, make it happen.
I'm just hoping that she can show
a little bit of that vulnerability
while still looking glamorous.
Oh!
Oh my gosh.
Love it!
It is perfection.
You look amazing.
OK, come over here.
You know what you're going to say.
You know what you're going to do.
Just focus.
Sell it.
Look at your judges.
Milk your time there.
This is your story.
This is your writing.
This is your words.
This it's your life.
This is your moment.
Move people with your words, you got it?
OK.
And remember, lick your teeth.
Mhm.
Always lick your teeth.
OK.
Alexis is our next contestant coming to the stage.
[music playing]
I'm just so nervous.
I hope she gets this right.
I was lost.
I felt alone.
I felt broken, and I had no confidence.
To me, I was not beautiful.
I knew not what beauty was.
I realized what you think is what you become.
What I was becoming and what I was
thinking is what I wanted be, and what I wanted be
was who I am.
Thank you.
[cheering and applause]
When Alexis did her spoken word, it really moved me.
I learned something new about Alexis today.
She showed me that she was capable of learning
and changing and being the woman that I know she can be.
[cheering and applause]
Her talent so unique and so different,
and I made her dig deep.
When she talked about how she never felt beautiful,
and then you're looking at a beautiful young woman,
I thought it was a really good message.
Even the most beautiful of beautiful girls feel ugly.
You know?