How to Compete in Plus Size Pageants
by L. Anne Carrington
American women take part in over 3,000 beauty pageants every year. Hundreds of thousands of girls compete for cash, trophies, rhinestone crowns and titles, but despite dreams of glamor and glitter, there are many realities about the sacrifices involved in being a beauty queen. Plus size pageants (usually for women size 14 and over, and covers several age ranges) are no different; women competing in these pageants work just as hard to live up to a specific ideal of contemporary feminine behavior and beauty, outside of going against the grain of a standard of beauty' forced upon them by Hollywood, the media, and traditional pageants. But why are there plus-size pageants when obesity is such a problem in America? These not-so-traditional pageant queens are not here to make a statement, but to make a difference. Pageants-whether they are the run of the mill pageants or the plus size ones- are more than just with a crown on your head; it's about helping people and being contributors to society. Tiaras, sashes, flashy pins, and recognition are nice, but they're not impetus for stepping out onto the runway in a plus-size beauty competition. The recognition gives women competing in plus size pageant the opportunity to show women of size that they too can do whatever they want to do, whether it's pageantry or a career direction that had been previously closed off to them. These pageants also set a prime example to women that you don't have to be a size 3 to be beautiful; you can be size 14, 24, or larger It's all in how full figured women take care and present themselves. Not only do wardrobes and props add up to thousands of dollars, but, to become a pageant queen, the ordinary plus sized woman, like other pageant contestants, must endure specific transformation rituals. Not only are the women taught to stand and to walk anew, they are expected to be always smiling, pleasing to others, quiet, polite and genteel. When it comes to entering, competing in, and ultimately winning plus size pageants, there is one tip that rises above the others- self-confidence. Self confidence is the most important quality that you must possess if you want to be successful, whether it would be in pageants, careers, or life in general. But it is more than just being a pretty face, having a talent for eating fire, or how a delegate wears a gown or swimsuit. Contrary to the beliefs of some, today's pageant queens are intelligent, educated, community service oriented career women that have seen pageant competition as a benefit to spring boarding new careers, raising public awareness for the charitable causes of their choices, or even for college scholarships. Actually, public speaking skills are a large contributor to pageant scoring next to appearance and talent, and can make or break a pageant delegate. Public speaking is an important skill to master and once you feel comfortable in this area, you will have made tremendous progress in your pageantry skills. Not only is public speaking vital to winning pageants; it is a skill that will help you in many areas throughout your life. Pronouncing each word correctly is important and shows that you have intelligence as well as charm, which brings us to the subject of one of the most important factors in pageants-the interview. Some important things to consider when you are speaking throughout your interview, is to speak with self-assuredness and confidence. Your tone of voice will also convey a lot about the level of self-confidence you have. Practicing speaking in front of a mirror is a good idea, or use your friends and family members as surrogate judges and practice speaking to them. Reading aloud and answering practice interview questions is a great way to boost your confidence and help prepare you for the actual interview part of the pageant. While self-confidence is a good thing, being a pageant diva' is not. The attitude you express toward judges, pageant officials, and other delegates can also reflect on you, and if you have the diva' air about you, chances are you will not get far. Of course, NEVER talk down to or gossip about other contestants. It's not only catty in general, but also is unprofessional behavior, not to mention such bad behavior does get back to people, including the ones that could be important factors in deciding where you will place in the pageant. Someone didn't just drop you off at a pageant and you were a big winner overnight. It takes even a seasoned veteran a long time to get to where she is in the pageant world, a lot of time, a lot of practice, and a lot of money. In addition, it is always a good idea to keep in mind that there's always going to be somebody out there that is just as good as you or may even be better than you. And can you accept losing gracefully? It may come off as a clich, but it is true: every pageant only has one winner, and it would be unrealistic to think that a delegate will win every pageant out there, whether it is a plus size pageant or a traditional one. If you keep an open mind and not get your expectations too high (though some expectation within reason is fine), you could be pleasantly surprise how well you may do-and not be too disappointed when it doesn't work out. With a great smile, self-assuredness, a clear speaking voice, a well-groomed appearance, and plenty of self-confidence you will find that you will have a great experience with your pageantry, even if you are over size 14. Good luck in your pageant career.
