Is the Jessica Alba baby contest real? Viral posts raise caution over online competition
The Baby of the Year charity fundraiser competition, being promoted by actress Jessica Alba is making its rounds online. It has been revealed that the winner of the most adorable baby contest will take home $25,000 in cash along with appearing in the Good Housekeeping magazine. However, netizens have taken to the internet to claim that children are getting trafficked through the contest.
Trigger Warning: The following article discusses child trafficking. Reader’s discretion is advised.
On 18 September, Facebook user Sariah Gomez took to the social networking site to raise awareness about the Baby of the Year competition. She shared two screenshots where one of them read that the Jessica Alba-promoted competition is allegedly serving as a platform for trafficking. The screenshot read:
“I entered my daughter into the contest and had read more abt other mother’s comments saying that it is a trafficking ploy. I immediately went into the account I had and took all of her pictures down and put up a black picture as the account pic until they can officially remove her account. Please tell me why she is still getting votes and is number 27 when her account picture is a black screen.”
Meanwhile, 6abc News reported that the Baby of the Year competition is also allegedly a scam. Some social media users reportedly claimed that the contest was charging suspicious charges to their credit cards after paying to vote.
As the assumptions spread rampantly across the internet, it is worth noting that the competition being promoted by the actress is real and has been organized by Colossal.
More about the Jessica Alba-promoted Baby of the Year event as competition raises eyebrows online
Facebook user Yannelly Rendon took to the social media platform on September 20 to assure followers that the competition was not dangerous in nature. They noted that the Baby of Year contest was held to raise money for a charitable organization that helps children in need.
As per a press statement, Colossal teamed up with Baby2Baby board member Jessica Alba to support the latter non-profit organization that provides children living in poverty with diapers, clothing, and other basic necessities. The prize mentioned above is part of the competition as well.
Since 2022, the organization has reportedly raised over $69 million for various children’s charities.
In a promotional video, Jessica Alba also said:
“Registration to compete is free and this competition is not just about you and your baby, it’s about giving back to families in need.”
Baby2Baby is a four-star non-profit organization that has scored 96% in finance and accountability, as per Charity Investigator. Through co-CEOs Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein, the organization has reportedly distributed over 450 million items to children living in homeless shelters, domestic violence programs, and foster care.
Colossal is a registered fundraiser as well, which helps those in need, through online competitions. Speaking about their collaboration with Baby2Baby, the company’s CEO Mary Hagen said:
“Our partnership with Baby2Baby is incredibly close to our hearts, as it allows us to support an organization that provides life-changing essentials to children in need. We've seen tremendous excitement about Baby of the Year, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards throughout the entire process.”
Meanwhile, Jessica Alba continues to promote the competition across social media platforms.
