With Sara Milliken’s recent National American Miss Alabama crown and Jane Dipika Garrett’s Miss Universe Nepal 2023 milestone, many have posed the question… are there plus size beauty pageants?
While organizations have since broadened their inclusiveness, we’ve long known competitors to have a stereotypical look for the stage. Generally, in the earlier days of the pageant world, girls/women with slender statures were the holy grail. The associations heavily mirrored the mainstream modeling industry, with a hyper-focus on picture-perfect bodies and the pretty privilege that comes along with it.
While race and sexual identity discrimination have often been a topic in the diversity conversation concerning pageants, weight has notoriously spearheaded these discussions. Truthfully, socially classified “obese” individuals still aren’t a part of modern-day beauty standards.
So, when a full-figured queen is seen strutting in front of the judges, even today, it’s controversial for many in the media. However, honoring the female aura and appearance shouldn’t stop at a certain number on the scale, nor should the embracement of larger people be deemed “promoting obesity.”
These days, voluptuous contestants have a lane crafted specifically for them that prioritizes confidence and courage for all. So, instead of waiting for a seat at the table, there are plus size beauty pageants that celebrate the beauty of our bodies and communities.
Plus Size Beauty Pageants? A List of Today’s Most Prominent Organizations
The answer to that question is YES! Gone are the days when our fluffy sisters were pushed to the background. Now, they’re on the runway, too! We’ve named some of the leading plus size beauty pageants below.
- Miss Plus America– “Miss Plus America is “devoted to celebrating the essence of the full-figured teen and woman (sizes 12 or greater).””
- Miss Voluptuous Pageants– “We want more than just a plus-sized model in a crown. We are looking for women who genuinely want to make a difference, and have what it takes to be a true role model in their communities, embracing the etiquettes and attributes of a worthy titleholder.”
- National Miss Curvy
- Big Beautiful Women Pageant International– “An outstanding talent competition for plus size women. We’ve been expanding since it’s start up in “1999”. The BBWP has gained national attention and progressively reached its’ international status. Our winners have appeared on national TV shows, radio programs, shown up in news papers and graced the cover of quite a few magazines.”
- Ms. Full-Figured U.S.A.
- Miss Plus World Pageant– “The Miss Plus World / Ms. Plus Intercontinental Pageant is dedicated to promoting, elevating and celebrating the accomplishments and humanitarian services of women from across the nations. It is our goal to build a sisterhood of confident and influential women who share their cultures with each other and the world as they promote education, peace, wellness and worldwide appreciation of diversity.”
- Mrs. Curve’ Globe Pageant– “The Mrs. Curve’ Globe ® pageant is the most prestigious beauty pageant in the world for women sizes 12+.”
What is Miss Plus America & How Do I Sign Up for It?
Founded by Melissa Stamper in Monroe, Louisiana, the iconic Miss Plus America commenced in 2002. Stamper created the pageant after noticing the lack of those who looked like her throughout her own competition run, forcing her to carve a space exclusive to heavier participants.
By 2014, the brand welcomed a new owner, Marcella Meyer. The baton has since been passed to its current CEO, Meahgan Dickerson, Esq., who previously retrieved the Miss Plus America title in 2017.
According to its mission, Miss Plus America is “devoted to celebrating the essence of the full-figured teen and woman (sizes 12 or greater).” The pageant is notable for its no-restriction age and weight policies as it offers five divisions: Teen (13-17), Miss, unmarried (18-29), Ms., married or unmarried (30+), Mrs., married (20+), Ultimate woman, married or unmarried (50+).
“For decades, little girls have dreamt of wearing a crown. But for many, this dream had no potential of being realized because the size of the one that reached for it was larger than the rules allowed,” Miss Plus America’s website reads. “But now, all of that has changed.”
To be eligible to join, you must be a size 12 or higher, assigned female at birth, and a citizen of the United States. Preliminary rules and regulations + the sign-up application can be found here.
Plus Size Beauty Pageant Winners You Should Know
You can’t think of plus size pageantry without Chenese Lewis and Debbie Shannon, two pioneers in the game we could never forget.
According to Forbes, Lewis’ 20-year+ career dates back to 2000. The Hell Date actress confidently made history as the inaugural Miss Plus America winner in 2003, and from there, Lewis’ name skyrocketed. From starting the first podcast for plus size women, The Chenese Lewis Show, in 2008 to hosting The Curvy Fashonista’s TCFStyle Expo for five consecutive years, the Chenese Lewis Productions CEO quickly is a trailblazer in fashion and entertainment as a whole.
“I created opportunities for myself when others weren’t,” an award-winning Lewis told Forbes. “I took the time out to learn the industry standards and I became extremely conscious of always presenting myself in the most professional way possible so I could compete with people that had more resources than me.”
Debbie Shannon, too, is a heralded advocate and waymaker for self-image who received her Miss Plus America flowers in 2004 and has been gracefully served as a Plus America Lifetime Queen. To this day, her work within the pageant system goes unnoticed.
As a creative director and life coach, Shannon is a key member in the body positivity community and effortlessly pulled her own seat up to the table in a business that once tried to take up the table for thicker influencers.
Plus size beauty pageants are not just a celebration of diverse beauty but a powerful catalyst for change in the fashion industry and beyond. By providing a platform for individuals of all shapes and sizes to shine, these pageants challenge traditional beauty standards and foster a more inclusive definition of attractiveness.
The impact is profound, as they empower participants to embrace their unique selves while inspiring others to do the same. Furthermore, plus size beauty pageants open doors to opportunities previously unavailable, offering visibility, confidence, and career advancements in fashion and media. As we continue to champion diversity, plus size pageants play a crucial role in redefining beauty norms and creating a more equitable industry for everyone.
Are there plus size beauty pageants that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
