JACI WESCOTT

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Babies compete for cutest in Seattle, on the Res

By Clare Jensen

“American Idol,” one of television’s most watched talent shows, has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Now, cities are adopting their own “Idol” competitions, and since last year, even Puget Sound babies have bought into “Idol” fever.

“Baby Idol,” created by Seattle-based radio station Movin’ 92.5, puts thousands of babies into the running for the much-sought-after title of “cutest baby” in Seattle.

Parents submit a photo of their baby to the radio station, where they are voted on and periodically short-listed until only one baby remains.

Starting March 24 through March 28, the first round of voting will begin to narrow down the 6,000 baby idol hopefuls to the top 500. From then, voting will determine the top 100, top 20, top 10, top five and top two before determining the grand-prize winner.

In addition to the stiff competition across western Washington, competitors are even rubbing elbows with one another on the reservation.

Sisters Jamey LaPointe-McCloud and Desirey LaPointe both entered their children, nine-month old Easton McCloud and Rey’Arah LaPointe-Haynes. And Easton McCloud isn’t just up against his cousin; he’s also competing against his classmate at Grandview Early Childhood Learning Center, eight-month-old Jaci Wescott.

Jamey LaPointe-McCloud said she entered Easton because she, like almost every mother on the planet, believes her son is the “cutest baby.” Unlike her sister, Jamey LaPointe- McCloud said she is campaigning for votes through emails to keep Easton moving through the brackets.

Detective Lieutenant for Puyallup Tribal Police Todd Wescott said he and wife Antonette Wescott heard about Baby Idol over the radio and thought they’d give it a try.

“[Jaci] gets a lot of positive contact,” he said of people’s reaction to his daughter. “It’s beyond the ‘hey, you got a cute baby’ thing.”

Todd Wescott said they entered Jaci in a contest at South Hill Mall March 8. She didn’t win among the 35 other competitors, but her chance is as good as any in “Baby Idol.”

Voters in the “Baby Idol” contest can vote every 10 minutes, and are allowed to vote for more than one baby if they like.

Ryan Diggs, promotion coordinator at Movin’ 92.5, said in the first two rounds it is typically the baby’s family and friends who vote, but as the numbers get smaller, it truly becomes about which baby is cutest.

“When it gets down to the top 100, people are curious and they really do browse the site,” he said.

But in order to make it to that point, Easton, Rey’Arah and Jaci need all the support they can get early on.

In addition to bragging rights, the winning baby will receive a plethora of prizes, including a new baby room from IKEA; $1,000 shopping spree at Hush Baby Children’s Boutique; portrait session and canvas portrait from Studio B Portraits; gift basket from Biella Salon and Spa; free swimming lessons from Kinder Swimmer; and a year supply of haircuts from Beach Comber Kids Cuts.  The grand-prize winner will be announced May 30, but you can follow the babies’ status and vote online at www.movin925.com.

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