TYKE RIDE:Mallory Hagan, the new Miss America from Brooklyn, dishes on “Toddler and Tiaras.”
TYKE RIDE: Mallory Hagan, the new Miss America from Brooklyn, dishes on “Toddler and Tiaras.” (
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Miss America, Mallory Hagan, is standing up for “Toddlers and Tiaras.”
“It’s my guilty pleasure,” she says of the controversial reality series that made Honey Boo Boo a household name and routinely shows 4- and 5- year-olds in highly sexualized costumes.
Hagan — the first Miss New York to take the crown in 30 years — says she has no problem with the preschoolers dolling themselves up to chase a trophy.
“I think a hobby is a hobby,” she reasons. “If a child wants to do it, that is their prerogative.
“I absolutely loved doing pageants when I was little. They weren’t as grandiose as the ones you see on television, but I enjoyed being onstage.”
She still does.
While Hagan calls herself a “terrible actress,” she hasn’t ruled out a post-pageant career on the red carpet.
“I would love to see what doors open this year as far as the entertainment industry goes,” she says.
“I grew up dancing. I dabble in singing a little bit. But I would never want to be a recording artist.
“I do enjoy the entertainment industry. I think it would be fun to do entertainment hosting or journalism — like E! News. That would be right up my alley.”
The Alabama native, who relocated to Brooklyn in 2008, will have to put off her Hollywood dreams at least for a while.
As Miss America, she has more than 300 personal appearances planned before handing off the crown next January.
Last Saturday Hagan was tapped to host a viewing party in Los Angeles for HUB network’s “My Little Pony” — with which she admits she is not very familiar.
“But I have gotten to know the My Little Pony characters in preparation for today,” she assured The Post backstage. “I started doing research on all the ponies and which ones I liked the best.
“I have been saying for a while now that I thought it would be great for Miss America to get involved with children’s television. I just think it is a great way for kids to see Miss America and to be introduced to that concept again.”