Apologies for the ghastly newspaper scan, and the missed Beauty Tip of the Week post (next week will be extra good, promise), but I had to talk about this. Last weekend it was printed in Singapore’s leading newspaper about our very first plus-sized beauty pageant, where women had to be at least 80 kg (176 lbs) to join. Unfortunately, this caused quite a ruffling of feathers because from what I’ve heard (er, through Twitter) many are not at all supportive, claiming it is glamorizing being unhealthy.
But what do you think? I have a complete different view on beauty pageants in general, but that’s beyond the point. This pageant at least gives more ‘exposure’ to curvier women in the media, which I like. I’m sick of seeing the same old body type! Also, as we all know, the media influences young girl’s like no other, so hopefully this will be a positive thing. This reminds me of a friend I have who is absolutely beautiful and have always wanted to join modeling/pageants but was so insecure about her weight, so I think this is a great start.
What’s the big deal about weight, anyway? I have no problem with someone’s weight as long as it’s not deadly – meaning either under or over weight. Sure, I think actually having a beauty pageant with no weight/height limitations is even better; now that would make a statement! After all, all women are beautiful, no matter what size. Still, I’ll have to say this is a great start – from the women they interviewed from the piece, it all sounds like they have healthy body image and great confidence, so kudos to them! Imagine what this could do for a young girl who’s been insecure about her body? I love the message they are trying to get out.
I’d love to know what you think. Do you have plus-size beauty pageants in your country? What do you think about them in general? :) Do weigh in your thoughts! And be nice, please.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Just because someone is “plus sized” does not mean they are unhealthy! I am a curvy girl, but I work out 5 days a week! And skinny girls can be unhealthy. Thin does not equal fit.
Great post Renee! Like you I have my own view on beauty pageants in general,but within this context I’d like to see this as a step forward, but I’m afraid I just can’t. Like you say, if it was a pageant that was open to all women of a healthy size (and my ideal-ish pageant would have strict criteria to meet to ensure the health of all participants) that would, to my mind, be progress.
This might actually make the situation worse, suggesting that you are either thin or plus-sized, and that there is nothing in the middle. It might also suggest that plus-sized women need a special arena in which they are judged beautiful by different standards- “ghettoization” may be a strong word, but its the only one I can think of to express what I fear may be happening. Women should be seen as beautiful because they are women, not because they are a thin woman or a curvy woman.
And of course there is a risk that the plus-sized competitors will have an equally restrictive body-type- I’ll bet they will mostly consist of hourglass women with larger breasts, like the normal pageants but scaled up. The day we see a pageant winner who has an athletic body frame, or who has lovely curvy hips with smaller boobs, that’s when I’ll say pageants are inclusive. And hell, why not include women of all ages? Some women look amazing at fifty and above- if we want to broaden the definition of “beauty,” let’s do this thing right!
Don’t like this idea. Being overweight is as unhealthy as being under..why the two extremes for beauty pageants? How about a “healthy BMI” pageant :)
Hey Renee!
OMG NO!! That is horrible and the person who thought of this idea should be forced to bath in KFC frying oil for a week.
Sure, there is no need to be mean or make fun of fat people, but there is definitely no reason to encourage it. Being fat is firstly unattractive and secondly unhealthy.
Down with beauty pagents for fat people ;)
Ciaociao
Diggy
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i actually dont like beauty pageants at all, fat or not fat. in general i think they promote unhealthy ideas about beauty and what it means to be a woman, so im not really down with them.
however i don’t think if they do exist, that they should be ONLY for a certain weight of people, they should be open to overweight people as well.
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Weight doesn’t equal beauty – and no matter what I or others think about pageants or health risks of being under or over weight – this is a great step towards everyone loving themselves and having confidence and not letting people tell them otherwise. :)
“I think actually having a beauty pageant with no weight/height limitations is even better” -i like this idea!
agreed!!! us short people are always ignored :)
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I see no point in romanticizing high fat percentage of body mass. In most cases it is not imminently health threating – but with time can lead to hormonal problems (especially for women), diabetics type II or cardiovascular disease.
We cannot fight the pressure for extreme skinnies, with another extreme. And plus 80 is not curvy – it’s FAT. Plus 60 kg? Yeah, a girl will already have some curves and is considered over-weight by the modeling industry, and there is no pageant for her.
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I hear you guys! Thanks for a great discussion, I really love hearing all of your opinions. :)
Personally, I don’t think this encourages people to be unhealthy though. You must remember that not all “fat” people got that way because they just sit on the couch eating ice cream all day. I’m especially sensitive to this issue because of a friend who had a medical issue, and her medication made her “blow up” (her words, not mine!). She cannot stop the meds because it’s a lifelong disease, so she’s “stuck” at that size. I have to listen to her talk about such rude comments from people, from her own family to strangers on the bus and it just saddens me. Some may just be dealing with a hard time in life and have no other way to cope. Some are straight out food addicts, but in most cases, some people are hereditary to be a little “thicker” than some. I know of many girls who are “bigger” and have struggled all their lives with it. They just can’t do anything about it. They all exercise/eat right but it seems they just stay the same. You see their whole family and they’re all big – it’s just the same with naturally thin people, it’s in the genes!
Still, like I said – I am thinking more for the younger generation. Imagine if a young girl feels so insecure about her weight, yet sees a beautiful curvy girl on stage, fully embracing herself and being confident? She doesn’t need to become morbidly obese, but if this shows her she doesn’t need to be stick-thin, isn’t that worth it? This is still a great message on self love and acceptance, no matter what.
P.S. The girl in the above picture was the “biggest” of the girls shown, so maybe you all got the idea it was her size or larger, which I do agree would be on the obese side/unhealthy side. The other two they interviewed were smaller; perhaps I should’ve added their picture in too? :S
what the heck, can’t fat/overweight/obese people have some fun too. Give them a break. Haha!
If the fashion industry didn’t have a set image of how models should look like than people wouldn’t feel so insecure about themselves. The media presents us with false images of girls who have been airbrushed and is not achievable in real life. I mean look at the video on youtube about the evolution of beauty – there is so much pressure to look like ourselves in everyday life. It has taken something like this to open our eyes up about the situation, I agree that people shouldn’t be extremely under weight or over weight – that I understand. But I honestly don’t like beauty pageants – girls are always comparing themselves to others. I mean where’s the individuality? It’s the imperfections that makes us unique, stand out and beautiful. People should focus on leading a healthy life – doing sports so that they are healthier, feel better and have more energy, get your heart pumping and it’s great for relieving stress (all those rants from my brother who loves sports has finally clicked in my head :P). Eating sensibly but not restrciting themselves or going on some fad diet that doesn’t work (like the notorious cabbage soup diet >.< eek!). You will definintly look better but more importantly feel great. But as well be happy! Some people are naturally skinny, some naturally curvy. As long as you are leading a good lifestyle there's nothing wrong, people's perceptions of what size and weight you should be are different. Focus on what you were born with, the sooner you forget about your doubts about self image the quicker you'll start to be happier and not waste so much time worrying about yourself. Confidence is a great thing to have, and it's something everyone can have :) Pheew! Got that off my chest :P
Hehe, glad you got it off your chest too, Chloe! :) I agree with what you wrote, all of it. :) I agree what you said about beauty pageants, not loving them as well, but since they is a demand for it, it will always be there – at least this is a small step into accepting all body shapes are beautiful?
But having at least 80 kg to participate? 80 kg, like many before me have said before, is not healthy. It’s rather ghastly. It makes me want to sit them down and find out if they have been eating too much fried stuff for too long. Why are we swinging from skinny to 80 kg? I doubt glamourising the 80 and above will inspire people in a positive way. It’s too extreme. It has little relevance to the girl of 60 kg trying out some fad diet hoping to hit 50 and below. Anyway, if this 80 kg requirement is just a reaction to the skinny culture, nothing has changed because we are still stuck at where we are – where skinny is still mainstream.
Hey April thanks for your comment. I was a little confused about the 80kg “requirement” too, because I feel plus size and bordering obese are two very different things. I wish there were NO weight requirement and it would celebrate all the different body shapes, but still, I commend the ladies for being confident in their own skin, when society says otherwise.
its totally about time they introduced plus sized beauty pageants! Its totally unhealthy for people to advertise beauty pageants as its bad enough for your self esteem watching a normal pageant as all of the girls are stick thin. Its deffo time for a change! Plus size is the best. It doesnt mean fat it just means normal and healthy!
I agree a healthy weight pagent would be the step forward. Healthy bmi as a measure, that way height is factored. Focus on the healthy weight women/men, that way the public have the healthy weight to be comparing themselves to. Size doesnt matter but health does. Health should be put of highest importance.
Personally, I think pageants are inevitable no? And anyway, in this world, they can make pageants and whatso to just publicize their company, their country, all for making money.
In any case, every individual should build their confidence, self-worth & self esteem whether they are fat, skinny or what size you are. Not just because you won a pageant or gain popularity.
I understand the feeling of low confidence & everything, even till now I don’t have the best self-esteem or confidence. believe in yourself to make your beauty glow.. it’s not just them, it’s all about you & being yourself is being great enough. if you know you’re not the right size to fit into the clothes that you like, work out, eat healthier. it’s all in moderation. i indulged too in fried asian food & overdrinking but i work out because at the end of the day, i wanna feel good & look good. :) maintenance is the best way.
kudos to all who looking up to their goal in being healthy & feel good!
I just want to say that I totally agree. It is about time that we stop telling people that they are ugly just because they don’t look like the majority thinks they should. Also just a heads up. Fat does not equal unhealthy. Sometimes that is just the way people are built. It is a predisposition from your genetic gene pool. Take me for example. Even as a child I was chunky. It wasn’t that I was lazy, I played sports and rarely watched T.V. I was active and ate very healthy foods. I grew up hearing that I was less because I didn’t look like my parents thought I should. Yet there was NOTHING I could do about it. Now that I am older I am well rounded. Especially after having a baby.(OMG yes a man loves me and finds me desirable even though I am large). I am still very active, I chase after my four year old all day, We are currently teaching him to play soccer and T-ball. We eat very healthy with LOW G.I. diets and whole wheat rather than processed white flour. We eat very little meat and almost no red meat. Yet here I am still a big girl. It is just in my genetic make-up. I do NOT have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or clogged arteries. So just for you NAY-Sayers. Fat does not equal unhealthy. Oh yeah and I can still run. So you take what you want out of this, however let me leave you with this. The next time you see a larger person don’t automatically assume that this person sits on their butt all day eating ice cream and pizza. Now I grant you there are some who do this and they are easy to spot. The ones that use the hover round chairs and smell like fat people because they are too lazy to shower. But please don’t lump us all together. When you assume…well you all know the saying…. oh and one more thing I am 5’4″ and I weigh 210