Watch Raising Asia

Raising Asia is a reality TV series that premiered on Lifetime in 2014. The show follows the life of 8-year-old Asia Monet Ray, a multi-talented dancer, singer, and actress from California who rose to fame after appearing on the TV show Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition. The series documents Asia's aspiring career and chronicles her journey with her family, who make numerous personal sacrifices to support Asia's dreams.

The show features Asia's mother, Kristie Ray, who was also a former reality star herself on the show Dance Moms. Kristie is the driving force behind Asia's career and manages her daughter's day-to-day schedule, acting as her personal assistant, coach, and mentor. Asia's father, Shawn Ray, is a former professional bodybuilder who occasionally appears on the show to offer his support to the family. Asia's siblings, sister Bella and brother Jordan, also feature on the show, providing an insight into their family dynamics and how they manage Asia's busy schedule alongside their own lives.

Raising Asia is a typical reality TV show that features the usual confrontations, drama, and emotional moments, but its focus remains on Asia's journey towards achieving her dream. The show documents the challenges Asia faces in balancing her artistic pursuits with education and family time. Viewers get an inside look into the real-life struggles of a child star, including Asia's struggles with stage fright and the pressure of living up to her mother's expectations.

The show also features Asia's performances, auditions, rehearsals and behind-the-scenes life, which are just a few glimpses of the demanding lifestyle of a budding child star. However, it’s not all about performing arts, as the show also features the day-to-day life of the family, offering insight into their personalities and their personal beliefs. For instance, they sometimes share their opinions on religion, and the parents' differences in outlook on the topic.

One of the most significant aspects of the series is the inclusion of Asia's thoughts and feelings. The show provides an unfiltered view of her perspective on her journey and the influence of her family and friends on her life. This feature gives a new dimension to the series, which is not typical of reality shows that usually focus on the parents’ perspective. It shows Asia as a young girl with her own thoughts and preferences, making her journey all the more relatable.

The show is not without its controversies. As with many reality TV shows, the program was criticized for the exploitation of a child and handling the pressure of fame. Critics were also uncomfortable with the emphasis on glamourizing the child's performance and talent growth, evident in Toddler and Tiaras, a reality show on child beauty pageants. Krisite Ray, Asia's mother addressed the issue, stating that her child's talent and passion are what drive her career, not money, fame or attention.

In conclusion, Raising Asia is a reality TV show that offers a behind-the-scenes view of the life of an aspiring child star. The audience gets a glimpse of the sacrifices necessary to achieve success in the art world, the pressure and the demands of the lifestyle, and the impact it has on the family. For those interested in the making of child celebrities, Raising Asia is definitely worth a watch.

Raising Asia is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between July 29, 2014 and on Lifetime