Heartwarming / Drop Dead Gorgeous

• After Annette's hand was disfigured and Amber was frightened enought to want to drop out of the pageant, her mother ignores her own injury and reassures Amber that she should stay with it because it's her best chance at getting out of their town and fulfilling her dreams. The two then hug.
• Molly. Despite being a caucasian adopted by Japanese immigrants when she was already 14, she proudly identifies as Asian-American because the support of her step-parents means that much to her.
• Lisa and Leslie (and Michelle and Tess, to a lesser extent) comforting Amber backstage during the pageant when her costume is stolen, with Lisa giving up her spot and letting Amber use her costume for her talent portion.
• Lisa is extremely sweet in general, reduced to giddy laughter during her interview, but her absolute love for her brother Peter (a young gay man and drag queen, currently living in New York), especially in the time period this movie came out in stands out. She even kisses his photo as she shows off his outfits (as Madonna, Liza Minelli and such) to the camera crew with total support.
• Before Lisa gives Amber her costume, the crotchety old choreographer digs out an old costume for Amber and urges her to beat the cheating Leemans. Unfortunately, Gladys's cheating extends to using Loophole Abuse to ban Amber's new costume.
• Jenelle and Amber trading contestant numbers so that Jenelle can get done in time to visit her cousins and Amber can have the same number as her idol Diane Sawyer.
• When Jenelle is injured by a falling light, all the girls except Becky are horrified and concerned. Most of them race over to check on Jenelle, and later they inquire about how she's doing.
• Leslie's boyfriend whole-heartedly cheers her on.
• Most of the other girls are nice and supportive when Amber and Leslie win second and third in the contest.
• Doubles as a Funny Moment; Hank getting openly excited when Amber aces an interview that was rigged against her. This is the same guy who tried distracting the other contestants for a laugh.

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