DECATUR - Bickering and fighting won't get mothers and daughters far in getting crowned.

"Crowned," a new reality show, is holding open casting calls today and Friday at Decatur's WBUI television station for mothers and daughters who can act as a team and look good doing it.

The future show is an eight-episode competition that features mother-daughter teams working together as pairs to win a beauty pageant.

"But it's not just a pageant," said Tiffany Flint, promotions coordinator for Central Illinois CW. "It's going to show the dynamics of them getting ready to be in the beauty pageant."

Flint said it will include the teams picking out formal and swim wear, learning a dance routine, plus many more challenges each week to avoid elimination and reach the grand prize of $100,000 and a pair of tiaras.

"There's going to be a panel of three judges, one of them being a celebrity mother-daughter team, who has yet to be announced," Flint said.

Daughters, who must be 18 years old, and their mothers have a chance to compete with no pageant experience required.

The casting call requires the duo to elaborate on questions on their applications in a taped interview. Questions on the application include, "What do you love most about your teammate?" and "Why do you think you can win 'Crowned?' "

"They have to answer those questions and really show their true personality because that is what the casting director is looking for," Flint said. "I can't imagine anything more dynamic than a mother-daughter relationship. No one fights and loves like a mother and daughter."

The Decatur open casting call is one of nine nationwide. Other cities with casting calls include Philadelphia, Dallas, Phoenix, Houston and San Francisco.

"I don't think any other Midwest city is having a casting call except for Central Illinois," Flint said. She added that she has already had a lot of audition requests, especially from Chicago.

The taped interviews are sent to the casting director of the show in Los Angeles, who will call contestants if they made the semifinals.

"I think someone from Central Illinois has a good chance of making (the show)," Flint said.

Lasonya Johnson and her daughter, 19-year-old Ashley Jackson of Decatur, decided to attend the casting call Wednesday evening. They both said the show sounded exciting, and they believe they have a good chance to make it on the show.

"My mom is one of my best friends, like we're really close," Jackson said. "I don't think a lot of mothers and daughters have that. I can call my mom my friend, and that's one step forward than the rest."

Michelle Walker and daughter Taushia Walker also think they have a good chance.

"A mother like this and a daughter like me, why not?" Taushia Walker said.

"Crown us now," Michelle Walker added.

Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986.