Watch King of the Crown
- 2009
- 1 Season
-
8.0 (27)
King of the Crown is an American reality television series that aired originally for a captivating single season on TLC in 2009. Presented as an enlightening and somewhat intriguing peek into the shimmering world of beauty pageants within the United States, the show expertly combined the stress and tension of competition with the prestige and glamour that comes with the industry.
The series revolves around Cyrus Frakes, an accomplished pageant coach, and his dedicated team. Frakes, more commonly known as "Gowns", is the owner of the Gowns and Crowns boutique in South Carolina. His reputation of turning everyday girls into poised, elegant queens precedes him, making him one of the most well-known figures in the nation's pageant circuit.
King of the Crown showcases the inner workings, the ups and downs, trials and tribulations of coaching inexperienced pageant contestants. With a distinctive style both charming and persuasive, Frakes guides hopeful young women on their journey to master the essential skills of pageantry - embodying grace, refining presentation, perfecting modeling skills, and enhancing interviewing abilities. The series provides its viewers with an up-close and personal look at the struggles and the triumphs of both the passionate coach and aspiring beauty queens.
Frakes' buoyant persona energized the show, endearing audiences to his deft capabilities of managing both the aesthetics and the emotions associated with pageantry. His personable nature and sincere compassion for his protégés, and his unique approach to coaching, provided depth and dimension to the series. Often contrasting the glitz and glamour of pageantry, the show also sheds light on the personal stories behind the contestants, their dreams, their fears, and their journeys. It paints an honest picture - as much as a reality show can - of the intense training, polished presentation, and the emotional fortitude required to participate in beauty pageants.
Cyrus Frakes' ability to understand, empower, and transform his subjects turned King of the Crown into an ode to the hard work and determination that goes into producing a pageant winner. This show is not merely about perfecting a wave, a smile, or a twirl, it's about boosting confidence and encouraging self-esteem, all while maneuvering through a universe glittering with tiaras and gowns.
The drama is inherent, not just in the competitions themselves, but also in the comprehensive training and guidance process. Disputes over gowns, disagreements on training methodologies, and the inevitable tension leading up to big events, all these naturally occurring high-stakes moments create suspense, inviting viewers to fully invest in the outcomes.
While a large part of the appeal of King of the Crown lies in the transformation of the contestants, the show also gives viewers an insightful look into Frakes' life. Despite his effervescent demeanor and his credentials as a pageant coach, Frakes’ personal struggles and everyday issues add a touching layer to the narrative, engaging the audience further in his story.
King of the Crown triumphs when it strikes an amazing balance, using the gravity of preparation and competition to offset the flashes of high-powered fashion and beauty, as well as Frakes’ own life. The series reveals that beyond the glimmering tiaras, sashes, and magnificent gowns, there are real people with real dreams and nerves of steel.
In its brief run, King of the Crown managed to break through the surface glamour of beauty pageants, uncovering a world filled with dedication, perseverance, heart, and of course, a fair share of glitz and drama. It taught its viewers what it truly means to be a pageant contestant while capturing the unique essence of Cyrus 'Gowns' Frakes, a man who made it his mission to help girls from all walks of life believe in their own potential. The heartwarming moments, the inevitable drama, the fraught setbacks, and spectacular victories all make for captivating television, and they all reside in the unforgettable realm of King of the Crown.
King of the Crown is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (8 episodes). The series first aired on September 30, 2009.