The trickiest question for me in the application was What is your Greatest Achievement to date? My greatest achievement to date is genuinely feeling beautiful on my wedding day. I was so worried for the 2 years leading up to my wedding that I would not be beautiful and my size would let me down and that I would not enjoy our special day. Over the past three years I have learned that I am beautiful at any size, I am a worthy person of love and attention, I am absolutely fabulous in my own way. Since realising all of these things I feel I have been a much happier person and I have a new lust for life! It also help that my husband is handsome and supports me with everything I do! Was my answer and it took me a while as I hadn't ever really thought about my greatest achievement in my small 25 years on the planet.
Would you believe I actually won the Title of Miss Best in Application 2015 for my answer. I was over the moon.
The Pageant day started at 11am with rehearsals until about 6pm. It was so much fun learning a dance routine with all of the girls and also practicing our catwalk and poses. There were 5 rounds in total, we each had a personal interview before the show then opening number - which had to be a red, white or blue dress to represent the UK, then came fashion wear, swim wear/summer fun and finally evening wear! I had so much fun picking outfits for each round and I felt like a princess in every single one of them. I was contestant number one meaning I was always the first contestant on the stage for each round. It was very nerve wracking but after the first round all nerves were gone! There was a little bit of controversy as one of the guest judges was none other than Katie Hopkins herself... and they were also filming for her documentary about her gaining and losing weight in 6 months. This is my only negative about the Pageant and the directors. Katie Hopkins is famed for bashing overweight people so why allow here to sit front and centre at a Plus Size Pageant.. isn't this type of event meant to empower and help with confidence?! Beyond me why she was allowed but I never let her dull my sparkle!
I never placed in the top ten but in all honesty I really didn't expect it. For me it was all about the experience and meeting some other plus size women to take inspiration and confidence from and that I certainly have done. I have made some friends from the pageant last year that I would consider very good friends and we are all still in touch. The winner of the title Miss British Beauty Curve 2014 was Emily Blake. I am very happy this gorgeous girl is in my life. She is so very uplifting and a great person to look up to where body confidence and acceptance is concerned! When ever I have an off day Emily's twitter/facebook/instagram are always a place I can go to for some inspiration and motivation! If you haven't already liked her page go ahead and have a look and see what amazing things she has been up to since winning her title!
I'm also a finalist for the 2015 Pageant, I'm representing Worcestershire this year however as this is where I live! I'm being Sponsored by the fabulous event Style XL run by a lovely friend I made last year and also where I first found the inspiration to even take part!
If you would like more information on the pageant and fancy applying to be part of something amazing and fun then check out missbritishbeautycurve.com.
Janet x
