Kim of Queens

Kim of Queens is a compelling reality television series that aired from January 1, 2013, to April 1, 2014, on the Lifetime network. The show follows the life and career of Kim Gravel, a professional beauty pageant coach from Atlanta, Georgia, as she works to find and transform young girls into confident, poised beauty queens.

The series follows Kim, the 1991 Miss Georgia America and a seasoned coach on the beauty pageant circuit. Running her family-owned pageant training company, the Pageant Place, Kim represents an inspiration for many young girls and a relief for their parents. Do not be fooled by the lady-like appearance; Kim knows how to get things done and is not afraid to be strict when needed. Alongside Kim is her mother Jo, who helps with the business' administrative tasks, and her younger sister Allisyn, who is a former beauty queen as well and significant in training and costume design.

Kim of Queens takes us on a journey where we meet girls from various backgrounds, each with their unique set of challenges. Kim strives to transform these young women into confident participants in the challenging world of pageants, giving them not only the chance to win crowns but also empowering them with life skills and values. Kim's training methods go far beyond just physical beauty; she works on their etiquette, interviews skills, and belief in themselves aiming for her students to be all-around individuals.

A central theme throughout the series is Kim’s personal commitment to discovering girls with raw talent, whom she terms as "diamonds in the rough," and offering them opportunities they would never have otherwise. These girls often come from non-typical pageantry backgrounds and may lack the conventional beauty pageant appearance or self-esteem. Kim's goal is not just about creating beauty queens who can walk the ramp, smile, or answer questions on stage. It's about changing lives, building self-esteem, and creating strong, confident individuals for the future.

Do not expect a traditional beauty pageant training show that’s all about dresses, make-up and ramp walks. Kim of Queens digs deep into the personal challenges these girls and their families face when striving for pageant success. It provides an inside view of the hard work that goes behind the sparkle of beauty pageants. Kim’s rigorous training, supportive family and the girls' honest, heart-wrenching stories make for some engaging television.

However, it's not all about teary workshops and intense training sessions. The show balances these serious moments with plenty of lighthearted fun, humor and sisterhood. The relationship between Kim, her sister Allisyn, and her mother Jo adds a layer of complexity and comedy to the show. The trio’s interactions offer a warm, family-centric environment that’s both entertaining and inspiring.

Through its loosely scripted yet true to life format, the show raises many fundamental discussions surrounding societal beauty standards, women empowerment, values, and confidence. It offers a unique opportunity to examine how the world of beauty pageants has changed, how it's sticking to traditions and how it fosters the growth of young women.

While Kim of Queens focuses on the journey towards beauty pageants, it's more than just a contest-focused show. The series revolves around personal transformation, family dynamics, overcoming one's fears and shortcomings, and striving for dreams. Kim's dedicated, empathetic, and no-nonsense approach towards her students is a pleasure to watch, and it's safe to say Kim shines just as bright as her pageant queens on the screen.

In conclusion, Kim of Queens does a great job of giving beauty pageants a brand-new perspective. The show manages to delve deeper into issues of self-worth, body image, and personal development, making it as much a personal growth series as it is a beauty pageant coaching show. For those intrigued by the pageant world, interested in stories about personal growth, or fans of lively family dynamics, Kim of Queens may prove a worthwhile watch.