Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
With big dreams and a bright future, local girl Charlee Kidd sees her name in lights, and takes her talents and her ambition to the Big Apple for the MAAI, or Modeling Association of America International, Child Model of the Year competition.
Kidd has commanded a stage since she was four years old and took her passion for dance and ran with it. The current nine-year-old and rising fourth grader is a company dancer for Mann Dance Studio in Prattville, Alabama where her devotion to competitive dance and telling stories through movement has blossomed.
With the help of “Bama Nana” or Betty Pate, Kidd’s grandmother, Kidd and her mom Christie Kidd took a chance on fate and traveled to Florida for an audition with Dance Moms. This audition was to be featured in a season nine episode of the famed Lifetime classic.
From this, an opportunity opened for Charlee with the unwavering support of her family. Charlee’s mom and dad decided to give it everything they’ve got and submit an application to MAAI’s 2024 Child Model of the Year.
They heard back almost immediately.
“I am always on the lookout for the next “it girl” and Charlee had these cool photos in bandannas, so much style and talent. She not only dances but had started her own fashion line and was promoting it, my kind of girl! So, we invited her to audition for MAAI,” President of MAAI Marta Michaud said.
Michaud, or as others in the industry know her, the Starmaker, now personally manages select models for multidimensional careers and development, much like the path Charlee is going down now.
“To see people in the industry get excited about her and her ability. As a parent, it really makes you proud of your little girl and so excited for her and the possibilities that are out there,” Charlee’s dad Michael Kidd said.
Starmaker Michaud has helped start careers for stars such as Amanda Seyfried, Katelyn Tarver, Dania Ramirez, Kristen Ritter, Kenny Sosnowski, Sebastian Beacon Ephraim Benton and many others. According to IMDB website, Michaud has recently helped break out stars Maggie Geha and Matthew Kenney of Plant Based Food Fame.
MAAI’s legacy through the years has also created stars such as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Reece Witherspoon and dozens more, Michaud confirmed.
Through Charlee’s adventures in New York with MAAI, she took home the MAAI’s 2024 Child Model of the Year, Little Miss New York City 2024 and will compete in Miss Hemisphere Pageant later this year. She also took home Best Dressed, 1st Place Runway, 1st Place Dance, 1st Place Swimwear and a Rising Star award for her commercial that was done during the competition.
MAAI has been in business, helping find talent in the modeling industry since 1946. They are a non-profit membership organization that provides models with support, resources and the guidance to succeed within the competitive industry.
According to the MAAI website, MAAI believes that modeling is not just about physical appearance. It’s about personality, character and talent. MAAI states that they represent all ages, sizes and backgrounds where they are committed to promoting diversity and body positivity within the industry.
“It was no surprise when she arrived in NYC with a half dozen suitcases and a big smile that she was going to “wow” us all with nearly perfect scores, her delightful personality and gentle southern charm. She also had the entourage of her wonderful family, Charlee has everything she needs, starting with a family that loves her so much. It just glows right out of her. They really are the dream clients,” Michaud said.
Christie stated as soon as they sent in the application, they had three months of Zoom conferences with representatives helping Charlee prepare for the competition in every way. Christie also confirmed during the week- long competition, the camaraderie among all the participants was incredibly inspiring. Stating, everyone was cheering and rooting for everyone else, and wanting success throughout the competition and not just themselves.
Charlee’s recent accolades have only added fuel to her competitive fire. In June, Charlee won the Miss Lake Jordan Princess 2024, top five overall Most Beautiful ages 6-9 and the Miss Lake Jordan Most Beautiful ages 8-9.
“We see what she’s like at home every day. Her personality, how much she loves to dance and perform. To go somewhere and to be with people who have been so successful in the industry that we admire, and on the outside looking in, hoping that we can just meet people that are a part of that. We never dreamed that maybe one day we might be a part of all that,” Michael said.
While Charlee’s main passion is dance, she has many other hobbies she’s devoted to, such as being a dog mom to her pup Marlee, while also loving swimming, skiing, playing pickleball with her two older brothers and playing Roblox with her friends.
Charlee stated when she grows up, she not only wants to be successful, but she wants to go to college and be in the Zeta sorority, and pursue not only runway and other modeling avenues, but to continue her deep love for dance. She also plans to be an entrepreneur and continue her clothing line, much like her parent’s business with The Greek Freak.
Charlee already has her own business called Charlee Girl, where she makes bracelets, custom trucker hats, nameplates for Stanley cups and other products. Charlee sells her products within Christie’s boutiques and pop-up shops in sorority and Greek Life houses all throughout the southeast with The Greek Freak.
Charlee and Christie are even in the works of designing activewear for kids, as Charlee stated in frustration that she’s tired of not having active wear that’s cute and fits.
“I’m so proud of Charlee and not for the trophies or anything that she has won. It’s that she is such a genuine sweet little girl that’s got a heart of gold and loves her friends. While she was competing, she was so excited when her friends would win a trophy and was pulling for them,” Charlee’s Bama Nana Pate said.
Charlee currently has offers with talent agencies and is in the interview process with the help of MAAI.
Regardless of where Charlee decides to go, her sweet home Alabama roots and the devotion of her family are sure to follow.
