Pageant queens are breaking the stereotypical views on pageantry all the time, and some of these queens just happen to embrace their natural curves and bring them to attention! There are pageants dedicated to the curvier figure, which can help woman feel more comfortable competing with woman of the same size but there are girls that won't be pigeon boxed into one category. After all; beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and everyone's views on beauty are completely different!!
Here at Sparkles and Rhinestones we celebrate woman's beauty of all sizes, but this blog we will be focusing on the queens in the pageant industry who have won their crown without worrying about the label inside their gowns!
Megan Goldberger- Miss Divine 2017
What made you decide to compete in pageants and why did you choose a "non-plus size pageant"?
"I’ve always been in awe of pageants on TV. I used to watch Miss World with my mum and it didn’t occur to me how to get into them until, I met Miss Teen Inspiration 2014, Charlotte Hitchman. She introduced me to the world of pageants and trained me to compete in my first one. The pageant was her suggestion at the time but I personally choose not to compete in “plus size” or “curve” pageants because I want to prove to everyone that you can be a “plus size” girl and still represent all women with a national title. I also want to prove that I am worthy of being a queen no matter what my size"
What did you do to win your title and how do you use this to promote yourself and your platform? "I worked my butt off to win Miss Divine UK, as Miss Divine Cardiff I made appearances across the country, I raised £500 for Dreams and Wishes by climbing Pen Y Fan Mountain (never again) and trained in the lead up to the finals. I used social media to promote my platform and what I was up to during my six months preparation and the hard work paid off as I won a host of side awards and most importantly the first ever Miss Divine!"
What did you do to win your title and how do you use this to promote yourself and your platform? "I worked my butt off to win Miss Divine UK, as Miss Divine Cardiff I made appearances across the country, I raised £500 for Dreams and Wishes by climbing Pen Y Fan Mountain (never again) and trained in the lead up to the finals. I used social media to promote my platform and what I was up to during my six months preparation and the hard work paid off as I won a host of side awards and most importantly the first ever Miss Divine!"
What is your platform as a pageant girl?
"I used my title to promote my platform of body confidence and mental health awareness after suffering with low self-esteem and various mental health issues. These two mean the most to me"
What advice would you give to plus size girls in pageantry?
"My biggest piece of advice would be to just go for it! My mum was so worried about me competing up against all the “stereotypical” pageant girls and I ended up placing 3rd runner up in my first pageant beating 20 girls. Also, dress for your shape and make sure you’re comfortable in what you are wearing. No use wearing a skin-tight jersey dress if it makes you feel uncomfortable. You need to feel like the best version of yourself. Do not let size be a factor in why you should not compete. Some of the most beautiful girls I know are so called “plus size” when really our bodies just hold on to the pizza we eat because we love it so much".
Marlena Kelli- Young European International Ms Leeds 2018
What made you decide to compete in pageants and why did you choose a "non-plus size pageant"?
I entered my first pageant Galaxy on a whim and I was very new to pageant at the time. It was all sizes of beauty. At the time I had no idea about the pageant system so I studied up, I never thought of myself being a curvier girl. I just felt like everyone else in that room. Ironically I didn't feel like I was any different to anyone, my shape was no issue at all. The reason I don't compete for pageants just for curvy girls is because I don't want to be pigeon holed or defined or labelled, there are so many amazing pageants for all different sizes
What did you do to promote your title through competing?
Well I loved competing in Galaxy and have accepted a new challenge and competing in YEMI (Young European Miss Internationals) and can't wait to get my sash and get stuck in! I am raising money for children this year after fundraising for The Christie Charity for the past two years so still researching a charity that would benefit.
What is your platform as a pageant girl?
"My platform is to show women no matter what they been though they can be happy and beautiful. Its about the light in your eyes and having joy, it really shines through. Also I am a spiritual person and I believe negativity breeds negativity and joy breeds joy. Don't listen to the negative people block it out and focus on love and joy"
What advice would you give to plus size girls in pageantry?
"My advice for plus size woman in pageantry is plus don't apologise for being plus size.
So many girls almost apologies for it! Many girls who are over a certain size will draw it into conversation as if they are apologising for it, I would sat you never need to apologise for being you. Be who you are with pride. Even if you change yourself love every step of the way.
Rebecca Cunningham- Mrs UK Elite
What made you decide to compete in pageants and why did you choose a "non-plus size pageant"? I first competed a few years ago, as a dare of my aunties little girl who has autism. A local pageant was raising funds for a local boy. I had avoided raising my hand at school and avoided being the centre of attention at school, never mind being on a stage! I want to promote that
size doesn't matter and if you believe in yourself and work hard it WILL happen its just a case of when. They don't run pageant systems for thin girls so why should curvy girls be put in a box and be excluded from normal pageants.
What did you do to win your title and how do you use this to promote yourself and your platform? I won my very first title Miss worldwide International in 2016. The whole year I attended events nearly every weekend. I travelled 1000s of miles to attend, help and support charities and other pageant girls. When I handed over my title I was crowned dq events first ever Mrs Worldwide lifetime queen. After a few weeks I missed not having a title to promote and a director to work with. I then looked for a system and decided to enter Mrs UK elite, the good thing about Dq events pageants is you're allowed to raise for your own charity.
What is your platform as a pageant girl?
As well as my platform being "size doesn't matter as long as you're heathy & happy", I love supporting cancer charities after losing my granddad. I raised for Mrs UKElite for Abbie's army which is a charity to raise money for research for children's brain cancer.
What advice would you give to plus size girls in pageantry?
ALWAYS... be yourself! And don't try and "fit in" and be your typical pageant girl. Dress to suit your shape so you feel confident not in what others wear you will feel 100% better if your comfortable in your outfits. And always research the system you're entering.
Demi Johnson- FOTW SW Princess
What made you decide to compete in pageants and why did you choose a "non-plus size pageant"?
I was scouted for the Face of the Isle of Wight heat and wasn't actually aware there were plus sized pageants. I was extremely nervous because I knew I didn't look like anyone else but everyone was so accepting and kind. I chose to stay with the same system as I just had such an incredible time and I want to show that curvier girls can still rock any stage they choose to stand on.
What did you do to win your title and how do you use this to promote yourself and your platform?
Two years ago I became the senior Face of the Isle of Wight and this year I'm the 1st Princess of England. Both heats had an interview, uniform, evening gown and an optional charity round. I achieved highest interview and ended up placing second place. I will be using my sash to spread the word about our charity, my platform and to make a difference on the little island I live on.
What is your platform as a pageant girl?
My platform is a combination of promoting Headway East Kent (our pageant's chosen charity) and The Warriors UK. This is my own page to support survivors of sexual violence with my own story and to raise awareness for the stigmas I have faced since I was raped by my partner. I plan to expand it and have others share their stories too.
What advice would you give to plus size girls in pageantry?
That you don't just have to stick to plus size pageants if you don't want to. I love the fact that we have systems that celebrate curvy girls but its about finding what's right for you. Whichever system you go for just enjoy it because it seems like in a blink of an eye its all over. I honestly thought I'd get judged because of my size but everyone I met has been incredibly supportive, it's the only place I've ever felt like my size really doesn't matter. Whether you want to dip your toe at a smaller pageant or dive in at the deep end with a bigger competition never ever wait until you feel like you're the right size. Give it a shot and remember you're beautiful!
Dawn Lowe- Young European International Mrs
What made you decide to compete in pageants and why did you choose a "non-plus size pageant"?
I entered my first pageant in July 2014, it was Miss British Beauty Curve. I knew nothing at all about pageants or the industry but a friend said I should enter. So I did and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was thrilled and caught the bug. I started to learn more about pageants and thoroughly enjoyed taking part and meeting new people. I never thought I'd be competing in pageants in my 40's! I found that it didn't matter what age people are, what size they are, what background they come from, all are welcome to compete. So after winning my first title in a non plus size pageant, I started looking at different pageant systems. I entered Young European International (YEMI) and won to become
Young European International Mrs 2017/18! I was thrilled, as YEMI is such an amazing system and it meant I won my place to compete in America too. It's my first International Pageant win!
What did you do to win your title and how do you use this to promote yourself and your platform? I worked hard in my previous two titles and as a finalist for other systems. I learnt from more experienced girls and women, as I feel it's the only way too learn. I've always been happy with myself and confident in myself and what I want to aim for - for which I thank my mum and dad, for always encouraging me. I realized from comments on my posts, recommendations of me to others and private messages I received, that other women and teenagers and even some children were inspired by what I was doing and what I was achieving. A lot of women aren't happy in themselves or with their outer packaging and it can be hard for some to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Young European International Mrs 2017/18! I was thrilled, as YEMI is such an amazing system and it meant I won my place to compete in America too. It's my first International Pageant win!
What did you do to win your title and how do you use this to promote yourself and your platform? I worked hard in my previous two titles and as a finalist for other systems. I learnt from more experienced girls and women, as I feel it's the only way too learn. I've always been happy with myself and confident in myself and what I want to aim for - for which I thank my mum and dad, for always encouraging me. I realized from comments on my posts, recommendations of me to others and private messages I received, that other women and teenagers and even some children were inspired by what I was doing and what I was achieving. A lot of women aren't happy in themselves or with their outer packaging and it can be hard for some to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
What is your platform as a pageant girl? My platform is to inspire women of all ages and sizes, whether you're a teenager or a pensioner, size 0 to size 30+, you can achieve and aim for anything you want to in life. Nothing is holding you back except you! That's why I love YEMI's motto
'Aspire to Inspire' so much, as it's so me and exactly what I want to do for others. I've worked with an autism charity since 2013 called Staffordshire Adult Autistic Society (SAAS) and last year I was made Patron and I continue to support and promote them. I even got together with some of the people involved in the charity and my friend Kelly Wilde, to record a specially written song for the charity called 'Whatever the Weather', which is available on iTunes and google. So I use my platform to inspire girls and women and help SAAS as much as I can.
What advice would you give to plus size girls in pageantry? To any girls/women wanting to enter pageants or wanting to be more confident in themselves, my advice is to just decide who you are, what you want, why you want it and what you will do with what you achieve and then to do your research, learn as much as you can and go for it! And don't even worry about what age or size you are - this is irrelevant. It's such a minor detail in pageants today. I don't even think about my size at all when entering, as it's never held me back and I'm a UK size 24! So if I can do it, you can do it. You only get one life, it's not a dress rehearsal - it's real. Get out there and grab every opportunity with both hands! I did and after just 3 1/2 years competing in pageants - I won my dream title and the chance to compete in America this year. My size doesn't define me, I define me. It's all about who you are and not what your dress size is. Let your personality shine through.
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