Bootylicious beauty pageants

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

MSN NZ Travel staff

The skinny ideal we're brought up with at home definitely doesn't apply all around the world. In many countries, bigger is most certainly better — and there are big girl beauty contests to prove it.

American pageants

Miss Plus America and the Voluptuous Beauty Pageant are held in the United States annually. The organisers of the Miss Plus America Pageant say: "For decades, little girls have dreamt of wearing a crown. But for many, this dream had no potential of being realised because the size of the one that reached for it was larger than the rules allowed. But now, all of that has changed".

Miss Plus America

This type of pageant celebrates being at the front line of the curvy revolution. Lacreshia Witcher, the 2008 Miss Plus America winner, says: "I encourage all plus size women to break loose of society's stereotypical thoughts and views of who you are which have (been) determined by your size."

Miss Plus America Elite

Calandra Griffin, the 2008 Miss Plus America Elite title-holder (the best point-scorer over all divisions), remembers her crowning moment: "...it all just became a blur. I somewhat remember feeling proud, thankful, then huge excitement and of course a deep seated sense of accomplishment."

China's turn

China is another country that celebrates the larger lady. Contestants belt out songs during a pageant held in Haikou, capital of the Hainan province. And on top of the talent component, entrants are judged on their health, beauty and confidence in the competition.

Thailand's Jumbo Queens

A pageant for full-figured woman that has attracted a lot of attention in the past is Thailand's Jumbo Queen contest. Yes, it is as it sounds! Competitors have been judged on their ability to resemble the country's national symbol and those who have embodied the elephant — in terms of grace, elegance and enormity — have led the Jumbo Banquet (a huge feast held in the animal grounds), as well as promoted elephant conservation.

Weight requirements

Pageants for the portly are generally similar to traditional beauty competitions. There's the makeup, the dresses, the ability to answer set questions succinctly, and almost always a good cause. But one main difference is that these entrants must weigh in at a specific amount. For instance, Jumbo Queens are all over 80 kilograms. And Miss Plus America delegates must be a size 14W or greater — the pageant's rule book says a 14W is a size 14 (New Zealand size 18) with "an additional inch [2cm] on each side".

Celebrating fleshiness

So in a world where the stick-thin are paid ga-zillions to act as clothes horses, festivities for the fleshy are flourishing. And if the smiles on the contestant's faces are anything to go by, why should skinny girls have all the fun?

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User comments

There's BIG and there's big. Fat more like it. It all comes down to healthy eating. I think these Mommas are too Fat and the makeup is not helping. What about their health dont they care about their health. Oh well I guess its easy work to roll over in bed grab the phone ring for Take Aways, get dressed in a cheap but pretty gown and HOORAY we are in the Limelight. Big Fat girls on the Catwalk and Fashion Shows.What were they thinking and what are the Sponsors thinking. Making money out of the BIG FAT Mommas I guess.Dont get angry, Im just stating the Facts. Im a size 12 and my Favourite place after work is the Gym.

I think that we need to focus on a healthy size rather than 'skinny' or 'big'. Where do girls like me come into the equation? I'm too 'fat' to be in normal pageants at a size 12, and too small to be in a 'curvy' pageant. Why the extremes??

First of. I feel that the greatest form of art is the 'womans body'. Rach's comment about "Fat girls roll outta bed and get a burger" is un-called for. Those "Oh-so-skinny" models need to get a healthy weight level to look lovely. {My opinion} The larger woman or man for that fact, may have lower metabolism rates. I was a little over-weight until moving to Auckland. My benefit does not allow for the average meal more than once a week, so, with walking occassionly, my weight has come down. That's great, because I am controling my Diabetes better too. So to all the lovely ladies out there. Keep healthy and you will look great anyway. PS. As I drive around, I see some very attractive "size" 14 &16 womam going for walks. Looking good. Unfortunitly stopping and making a compliament would cause rudeness from most woman today. So, I do not.

Hey I think that big girls are pretty too and if they win thats great.. We shouldn't look at shape and size.. thats real mean... Personality is the most important.. Not the size.. If we look at size and not the personality thats bad.. Big girls are pretty too.. not only the skinny ones..

...you know so little about this topic..that is as stupid as me saying the skinny ones every hour go purge themselves incase they end up in a healthy weight range...for goodness sake keep it real and logical

I dont think they are pretty at all. All other skinny beauty queens have worked hard to become what they are. These fat queens just roll out of bed eat a burger, fries pie and desert and then pay someone to put make up on them. its about personality AND looks.

That's awesome. It's always awesome to see woman being proud of their figures no matter what size they are. I like the emphasis on health in the Thai pageant. Weight is not the only determining factor in health, it's lifestyle too.

This is all very well big momma's getting their day in the sun. But all it proves is that the world, America in particular, is very good at embracing extremes and can't handle normal. Why can't we have a beauty contest where people are healthy size? Not anorexic, not excessively obese and not extreme body builders or body sculpted. Just healthy and beautiful. This whole thing just makes me despair for the future health bills the world is about the encounter to keep all these image proud losers alive.