Kay Winters

Kay Winters is Monica's mother and the driving force behind her daughter's entry in the Young Miss Odyssey Modeling Contest. She encourages eleven-year-old Monica to dress like a teenager and diet to fit the contest's expectations, even though the competition is Kay's dream more than Monica's. Her pressure makes Monica feel that appearance and success matter more than simply being herself. When Monica disappears and collapses from starving herself to fit a dress, Kay must face the harm their shared pursuit has caused. Honest counseling gives mother and daughter a chance to rebuild their relationship around something healthier. Kay begins learning to enjoy Monica as a child rather than manage her as a model, and the two discover that having fun together matters more than winning a crown.