Interview with Davina Darling

Davina Darling is the producer of the San Francisco Little Miss & Mister Little Contest and this year's International Little Miss & Mister Little Contest. She produces local age play events, was an ABDL model, and is active in the BDSM community at large.

How did the contest come into being? It's a really silly story, really. Siouxsie Q and I were in a pup tent watching Toddlers & Tiaras and we kept talking about how cool it would be to bring something like this to San Francisco. We did our homework and found out nothing like it had ever graced San Francisco, so Little Miss Little was born.

We thought we were being original with the idea. When we Googled the idea to see if we were gonna step on any toes, we saw that it was a thing that was happening in DC. We thought the name was very cute and we got permission to use it for San Francisco. We really thought we were being original. We came up with that exact name!

Has the pageant turned out how you thought it would? And more. beyond my wildest dreams. I thought we could have fun, very casually, and now it’s an International Leather Title. I would say it turned out beyond my wildest expectations ever. We’re finding people who are excited about it.

I feel it’s grown and it means a lot more to people. What started off seeming to be a silly thing for fun has turned into a serious advocacy for our community.

Do you ever miss it being more for fun? I do not. I love the direction it’s taken and giving the community a voice is, I think, its greatest accomplishment ever.

When did you start thinking that the contest should be made into a leather title contest? After the first year. It went so well, our contestants worked really hard. I thought that we wanted to expand and really be something acknowledged by the leather community.

What does the contest aim to do for the age play community? Promote awareness to the [leather] community as a whole. Clear some taboos and misconceptions as well as serve as a basis of education.

Can you please describe your ideal titleholder? In my eyes, they are out and about in their community. They’re not only showing up to events, but participating, hosting, and promoting events. Active in on and offline discussions. Taking initiative to do something that might never have been done before. That’s literally my deal: someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty not to promote themselves, but to promote their community.

What’s your favorite thing about your local community? The excitement around events and ideas. I can literally throw out ideas and generate an entire party based on the enthusiasm. It gives me my fuel to keep going.

How does International Little Miss & Mister Little differentiate from other leather contests? There's not a huge difference really. We judge our contestants on dress, talent, and a pop question.

How did you get involved with the Littles community? PamperedPenny.com. I was dipping my feet into the modeling world and I got contacted by you to appear on your site. And I was like, I’ve never heard of that before. Sounds like fun. And I found it to be quite fun! I creeped you out! And then I felt shamed for it. I dove right in. To the point of creeping out Penny Barber. Sorry about that.

What’s the hardest thing about producing the contest? That not everyone can win! Everyone in the contest is so talented and driven to represent their community that it's so hard picking just one winner. Also, funding and sponsorship. Age play is still such a taboo subject it's hard to find people to help fund the contest, most money does come out of pocket.

In the past, you’ve produced the local Little Miss & Mister Little. What new challenges or perks have you encountered upon going International? International is a much bigger arena. We are following more leather contest rules and the contestants will have more expectations for what they will do for their communities.

Do you ever wish that you could compete? Every single year! The biggest reward for me, though, is knowing that we are bringing this event to a community that never had it before. That's more pride than a title will ever give me.

What advice would you give someone on the fence about entering? Do it! The friends you will make and the service to your community if you win will last a lifetime. Don't be shy. Let your little shine.

Who is eligible to enter? Anyone who considers themselves a "little" and wishes to serve their community.

Have you encountered any opposition on the way? Can you tell us about it? Of course. We've been told that age play is more of a fetish than a leather community. To that I say, look around our community. We've formed discussion groups for age players, scout troops, national conventions, and specialty parties. The littles community is fast-growing and stronger than ever.

There’s been some controversy over the gendering of the titles. Can you tell us about that? There's been controversy. [We,] as producers and judges, have agonized for hours over this. Unfortunately, the original contest was started as a gendered contest and we've tried changing it--with no luck of a new title catching on. We hope [that] with popularity over time, we will be able to get funding and sponsorship to allow us to add more gender neutral titles.  

Are there any contest events coming up? Tons! We are having our ice cream social fundraiser! Our Halloween party! As well as our Registration Meet and Greet. Come out, get more information, and hang out! Check out our website for more info.

How can someone who isn’t involved in the contest help out? Contact us! Show up to events, let us know you want to help out! This is run mostly by volunteers so help is always welcomed.

The contest has a theme this year. How was it chosen and how can contestants help to promote it? The theme this year was chosen by our head judge, Penny Barber, and by our co-producer, Scarlet O’Starlet. We wanted to add a theme that people could work. Contestants can help promote by dressing in theme: Nutcracker, ballerina, etc.

What has been your most successful fundraiser attempt? Just recently, would be our raffle/Halloween party where we did trick-or-treating in the SF Citadel. We had such a large turnout--the largest turnout for any age play party that the Citadel has ever had.

What advice would you give someone starting their own LMML? Patience. Be able to take criticism. And able to listen to others’ ideas.

What is your favorite talent that you’ve seen? Clarinet by far. We had a Little girl in a girlscout uniform come up. She played it like a six-year-old, but a six-year-old who wanted to be good. She really embodied her age. She was dressed perfectly.

What could someone do to help promote the contest? Link our blog, talk about it in your local communities, send people to our site, come to our events, support our events. Tweet. Facebook. Tumble!

How do you choose judges? I choose my judges based on their roles in the age play community as well as their integrity. I want to see people who I would respect judging me. I try to get a well-known educator, top, Mommy, Daddy who is also well-respected in our community.

Who would be your dream judge? Angelina Jolie. She’s, like, the biggest Mommy ever. She could wear her Versace child-print dress. Oh! No! Can I go back? Christopher Malone. Oh my god. He’s such a Daddy. He’s like “I’m gonna protect the children!” and he has, like a broad Daddy chest. Him and Angelina Jolie. For community purposes, not for my own.