WE tv's LITTLE MISS PERFECT Returns To The Stage, Exploring More Of The On-And-Offstage Lives Of Junior Beauty Queens Beginning Wednesday, January 13

Pageant Guru Michael Galanes

Whose Pageants Provided Inspiration for the Film Little Miss Sunshine

Offers His Expertise at What it Takes to Bring Home the Crown

Exclusively on LITTLE MISS PERFECT

"It's this innate gift that I have; the animals had Doctor Seuss and the pageant community has me."

It's More Than Just a Pageant. New Season Explores Real-Life Stories of Family Dynamics,

Economic Realities and the Thrill of Competition.

It's time to grab your sashes and crowns - WE tv's original one-hour docu-series LITTLE MISS PERFECT returns for its second season, exploring the ins and outs of the junior beauty pageant world and revealing behind the scenes footage of the families, contestants and professional experts who participate. The new 12-episode season showcases 24 girls, each from very different backgrounds, but all with their eye on the same coveted prize - the title of Little Miss Perfect. So, get out your "Wow Wear" outfit, tease your hair and settle in for the new season of LITTLE MISS PERFECT, kicking-off Wednesday, January 13 at 10pm ET/PT.

Each episode of LITTLE MISS PERFECT explores what motivates young beauty pageant contestants and their families to participate. Glitz pageants like Little Miss Perfect entail exhausting rehearsals, originality, stamina and money, and the pressure can become very strenuous on both the girls and families alike. For some it may be just a hobby, as one mother works hard to make sure her daughter understands pageants do not take the place of excelling in school - "To me that comes first, then the pageants," she states. For others, it's a way to strengthen their mother-daughter bond. One young competitor says, "Doing pageants makes me and my mom's relationship stronger." Some moms feel pageants offer a platform for their daughters to gain confidence and discipline and yet for others, it's merely a way to make some extra money. But for all of them, it's more than just a pageant.

In the world of junior beauty pageants, there's one reigning king amidst many beauty queens, and that's National Pageant Director and Founder of Little Miss Perfect, Michael Galanes, who returns exclusively to WE tv. Galanes, aka the "Sultan of Sequins," is revered among parents and coaches as the master at knowing how to place girls in the top five.  His input is sought regularly and he mentors multiple competitors as they prepare for the competition. Galanes is absolutely passionate about his work, living and breathing every aspect of pageantry. "Upon meeting a kid I can figure out exactly what needs to be done. It's this innate gift that I have; the animals had Doctor Seuss and the pageant community has me, Michael Galanes," he states. His pageants also served as the inspiration for the film Little Miss Sunshine. In addition to Galanes, the series highlights the many coaches, choreographers, make-up artists, seamstresses and extra hands involved.

WE tv's cameras capture the good, the beautiful and the meltdown moments that occur as pageant day nears. While some relationships between mothers and daughters (or sometimes, grandmothers, mothers and daughters) flourish with excitement as the pressure mounts, others become increasingly strained. The sizable costs cause tension too. In one LITTLE MISS PERFECT episode, a pageant mom explains the challenges of dressing her daughter, Angelina, "We're gonna go through her closet, and hopefully be able to find something and dress it up. I'm hoping the judges in the pageant will take into consideration what the economy is like now - that not everybody can spend a thousand dollars for a 'wow' outfit."

LITTLE MISS PERFECT quickly became one of WE tv's most popular shows after it launched last February. Exploring the real-life stories and workings of the junior pageant world, LITTLE MISS PERFECT reveals a world known to few, but coveted by competitors, and what really motivates each family to take part.

BEING MICHAEL WEB SERIES AT WETV.COM

Visit www.WEtv.com/littlemissperfect for exclusive LITTLE MISS PERFECT extras.  Pageant director Michael Galanes will provide behind-the-scenes info and tips on the pageant industry, in addition to "Being Michael," a WEtv.com video series featuring exclusive interviews with the pageant guru.  Visitors can also find Michael's blog, as well blogs from the pageant moms and daughters, cast bios, photos, quizzes and a community forum for discussion.

LITTLE MISS PERFECT is produced by North South Productions. For WE tv, Senior Vice President of Original Productions and Development is John Miller and Executive Producer is Danielle Ostroske.