Former “Toddlers and Tiaras” star Eden Wood, takes on navigating the world of college and reflects on her stardom.
Wood said her favorite part of pageants was “always being on stage.”
She said, “I loved getting up there and dancing and singing. It was like my whole world lit up when I was in front of a crowd and I had the absolute best time.”
Being on “Toddlers and Tiaras” and growing up in the pageant world kicked off the roller coaster of a career and lifelong lessons for Wood.
“I think pageants showed me what I truly loved, which was to perform. From modeling and singing to starring as Darla in a Hollywood movie called ‘The Little Rascals Save the Day,’ pageantry truly started my entire career,” Wood said. “It has given me strength and confidence in myself that no one can ever take from me. I learned so much about how to work for what I wanted and that no matter where you come from, never give up on your dreams.”
Through the years, Wood has channeled all of the advice and experience from her childhood into her education.
Wood said these experiences made it an easy decision for her to pursue a degree path in UCA’s School of Communication.
Wood said, “Right now, I am double majoring in public relations and broadcast journalism. Considering I’ve grown up in front of a camera and love it, I figured I would really enjoy broadcasting. I hope to one day have my own talk show and be a professional news anchor. I also fell in love with public relations when coming to UCA and also grew up managing a lot of my own PR on social media.”
Wood is an active member of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority.
“Last year I made the decision to go Greek. At first, I was a little hesitant because I didn’t know anything about sororities, but the minute I walked into Alpha Sigma Alpha I knew this place felt like home. The girls in this room with me have always been nothing but genuine, kind and authentic. They always lift me up with anything I do and I have found so many amazing friendships through Alpha Sigma Alpha. It also means the world that with this sorority I can give back to the community and help with the Special Olympics, the Big Event and so many more amazing events,” Wood said.
As a student, sorority sister and entrepreneur, Wood reflected on her roots and how one small hobby could turn into huge opportunities.
Wood said, “Pageants all started for me when I was only a year old. My babysitter had actually told my mom that she should enter me into a pageant and it just all went from there. My mom and I both fell in love with pageantry.”
Wood said this was the stepping stone that made her a well-known name in the pageant world.
“A modeling pageant coach from New York, who my Mom didn’t even know at the time, sent my picture and info into ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ when I had just turned three and they contacted us about being on the show. That started it all and a hobby I loved became a platform that gave me opportunities, which transformed me into who I am today.”
Wood said while she leads a very jam-packed life, there are some behind the scenes that not everyone will see at first glance. She grew up on a farm in Arkansas.
Wood said, “My mom says that I am the real life Hannah Montana. I truly had the best of both worlds. I was a little country girl with a pony, tractor, four wheeler and even cattle. Then the next week after being on the farm, my mom and I would hop on a plane to New York, California, Australia or even Japan once to film.”
Having experienced both sides of a wide spectrum of life, the normal and the high-end, Wood had a helping hand in staying collected throughout such a fast past time.
“I have always tried my absolute best to stay grounded in church and keep my values and morals close to my heart no matter where I went or what I did,” Wood said. “In high school, I also was in the band, played the drums, cheered and sang in our choir, all while modeling in New York Fashion Week. Thankfully, I was able to graduate my senior year in 2023 as valedictorian of my class, which was a huge accomplishment for me as well.”
Being a star at such a young age, Wood said it was vital for her to stay connected to the average teenage experiences. Whether that was being a part of the band or simply finishing out her high school education.
Wood has big ambitions for her future at UCA and after.
“I have always said that pageants have been nothing but positive for me. It has given me such confidence in anything I do to this day,” she said. “Pageantry also helped with my public speaking skills and has genuinely just been such an amazing part of my life that I would never change.”
