The mother of a seven-year-old girl who caused controversy by allowing her to wear make up, fake tan and skimpy outfits has won the title of ‘best parent’ at a beauty pageant in India.
Single mother Jenna Eastland, 31, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, spends thousands of pounds on spray tans, hair extensions and cosmetics for her youngest daughter Layla, who is desperate to become famous.
Despite her age, Layla Thompson, who goes by the stage name Layla Belle, dyes her hair, wears false eye lashes and walks around in high heels.
The mother and daughter have now returned home from India where Layla competed against 25 other children from across the globe in Junior Model International.
Layla, who represented England, did not win the overall title, but she did win face of Junior Model International, Princess of Europe, best national costume and best gown.
Mother-of-three Jenna, who was questioned about her parenting live on This Morning last month, also bagged herself the title of ‘best parent’.
Jenna Eastland, 31, right, spends thousands of pounds on spray tans, hair extensions and cosmetics for her youngest daughter Layla, left, and recently took her to compete in India, where she took home face of Junior Model International, Princess of Europe, best national costume and best gown. Her mother took home ‘best parent’
The mother and daughter have now returned home from India where Layla competed. Jenna, who is also mum to Noah, 10, and Brody, nine, said: ‘I won best parent out of all the parents. It was a bit overwhelming for me’
Jenna, who is also mum to Noah, 10, and Brody, nine, said: ‘I won best parent out of all the parents. It was a bit overwhelming for me. I didn’t realise you could win best parent. They watch you all week and decide which parent is the best.
‘I think they loved me because I’m good with kids. I was cleaning up and helping them. I love pageants and everything they stand for as a lot of them involve charity work in England.
‘It is funny that I have won best parent after everything that has been said about me!’
Layla is the first person ever to represent England in Junior Model International. She completed against children, aged between five and 10, from all over the world including Japan, United Emirates, Vietnam, South Africa.
Jenna, who receives benefits as a full-time carer for Noah and Brody who have autism, travelled with Layla to India using money raised by fundraising.
Layla, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is the first person ever to represent England in Junior Model International and wants to be famous, according to her mother, who home schools her
Layla, left, completed against children, aged between five and 10, from all over the world including Japan, United Emirates, Vietnam, South Africa
She sad: ‘I am so proud of Layla and how well she has done. She met friends on the first day, everyone loved her. She learnt loads about different countries and she really enjoyed it.
‘It was a massive shock to Layla. It took her up a game as they are all really talented. Not many seven-year-old’s have travelled to India and competed in an international pageant.
‘Nobody from England has ever competed in this pageant before. Layla is the first and no one can take that away from her.’
During the pageant on September 16, Layla took part in a catwalk, a national dress round, a ball gown round and a national sports round. She wore a Union Jack dress in the national dress round and an England football strip in the sport round.
She wore an England football strip in the sport round, left. Her mother explained that Layla prefers experimenting with beauty products than playing with toys and would rather go to Nando’s than play in the park with her friends
The title of Junior Model International was won by a nine-year-old girl from India. Jenna said: ‘It is an international pageant she has done, a massive thing. I’m amazed how well she has dealt with the whole thing.
‘I was more worried about going to India than Layla was – nothing fazes her!’ Jenna has previously hit back at claims Layla was being sexualised by saying ‘there’s something sadly wrong’ with those who would think that about a child.
Layla, who is home schooled, goes out every day with her makeup done and hair styled.
She prefers experimenting with beauty products than playing with toys and would rather go to Nando’s than play in the park with her friends. Layla has made her own documentary style videos about her life which she hopes to upload to You Tube. And she even has her own Instagram, Twitter and Star Now Account – for up and coming models, actors and dancers.
Jenna said: ‘She just wants to be famous and has the mindset of an adult.
‘She’s not a normal seven-year-old. She would be a great reality TV star.’
Last month Layla won the title of Mini Miss British Empire 2017 after competing in a pageant in Buckinghamshire.