I'm sure they didn't really "make" as in "force" him too, but I can see him showing up, not realizing it would be with children, and them just instructing the winners to stand for a photo. He could have objected, but what would he say? It would be hard not to have objections come off as "I'm out of their league," like it might make the children feel bad.

Haha, there was definitely a conversation ending with him saying "look. I won, right? Right!?" Then I get to go, I GET TO!"