A Leeds mum has hit out at 'cruel' parents who openly laughed at her 11-year-old daughter's choice of prom outfit.
Mischa Parker from Morley, aged 11, was mocked by the parents of her classmates for deciding to wear a suit to her primary school prom.
She was reported "really excited" about her dickie bow, smart black jacket, and trouser combo, that is until parents at her school ruined her night with cruel comments.
Chaperoning mums and dads at the event allegedly starting laughing at her and calling her "suit girl" which was enough to ruin the poor girl's night and call her self-esteem into question.
Poor Mischa was so upset by the name-calling from the adults that she called her mum to come and pick her up from the prom early.
Mischa Parker pictured with her mum Tamara and her brother Tom / Image: Tamara Auty / SWNS
Her mum has since hit out at those responsible, calling their behaviour "disgusting."
"When I was 11 I had no idea who I was, but Mischa has always known who she is and what she likes," said mum Tamara.
"I’d taken her shopping the day before and she was really excited trying it on. She was a bit nervous hoping nobody laughed at her.
"I just think that children should be allowed to express themselves - why should my daughter be made to feel bad about the way she likes to dress?
"Why try and knock a child down for that?"
Mischa had picked out the outfit herself with a little help and encouragement from her mum, Tamara Auty, at H&M ready for her prom at Fountain Primary School.
Tamara said: "She did end up going into the boys' section and got a dickie bow as they suited her a bit more.
Bolstered with praise from her family, who thought she looked great in her smart suit combo, Mischa started to get excited for the party - putting on mascara and having her mum do her hair.
Tamara said: "I’d straightened her hair for her, she’d put a bit of mascara on, nails painted black and normally she doesn’t bother with makeup or do anything with her hair.
"She was a little bit nervous but felt really good, she really liked the suit."
Reflecting on what had happened, mum Tamara said:
"I think it was an attack on her individuality, I work in mental health myself I just think it was really disgusting."
"Me at eleven, I had no idea who I was, but Mischa has always known who she is and what she likes."
Feature image - Image: Tamara Auty / SWNS.
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Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Georgina Pellant -
9th August 2021 
