'Toddlers & Tiaras' Mom Fights Back Over Controversial Costumes

Eden Wood's Mom Fights Back

Earlier this summer, Eden Wood (or rather her mother and manager, Mickie Wood) announced that she was retiring from beauty pageants to focus on her singing career. But that isn’t stopping the controversial duo from TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras" from fighting back against the recent controversy after a little girl dressed up as Dolly Parton, along with padding, and the prostitute Julia Roberts played in "Pretty Woman" during an aired pageant.

“I know them personally. They are wonderful people ... As a mother we see it as cute and adorable and we see it in the confines of our home and our own world.” Mickie Wood told "New York Live" host Jane Hanson and me. “I know in my heart we were doing nothing wrong.”

Wood says she does understand why so many people are getting upset but doesn’t personally see what the big deal is.

“It’s just as natural as can be for us,” Wood says. “I have been a drama teacher, a show choir teacher for over 25 years. Even when I was pregnant with [Eden] we were choreographing 'Grease' when she was in the womb. You are who you are. We cannot say enough about what a positive experience it has been for us.”

Eden herself once dressed up as a showgirl on the reality show long before Dolly Parton or Julie Roberts costumes appeared, but Wood insists she didn’t for one second think about the sexual connotations that went along with that choice.

“I totally get it. And you are not going to please all the people all the time. We are confident and happy in who we are. You know, it’s no different than competitive cheer. We just opened the doors and let everyone come in and see. It’s shocking I guess to some people.”

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