At last night’s Miss Universe pageant, Miss Canada secured a
spot in the “top 9,” which allowed her to compete in both swimsuit and
eveningwear. She modeled a
hot pink bikini, smiling all the while.
Photo: Rappler.com
The emcee enlightened both the live and television audiences about Siera
Bearchell, announcing that her family suffered a tragic house fire years ago
and that she is currently in her final year of law school. Despite Siera’s obvious ability to overcome
obstacles, her clear intelligence, and the mere fact that she is competing on
an International stage, some still found it appropriate to criticize her physique (criticize seems too polite a
word- let’s go with verbally attack).
They berated her, calling her “lazy,” “underprepared,” and claimed she had
no business on the Miss Universe stage.
Besides what I see as a clear violation of human decency, these comments
are a direct attack on the progress the pageant community has made in the last 100 (ish) years.
For most of my life, I have defended my involvement in
pageantry, citing women empowerment, increases in confidence, scholarship
opportunity, speaking experience, friendship, and overall self-betterment. I feel offended by folks (including former
and current titleholders) who claim that because Siera chose to enter a “beauty
pageant,” she should expect the aforementioned criticism. While I can’t speak to why Siera personally
chose to compete in the Miss Universe Organization, I like to think that most
(if not all) of my fellow pageant competitors participate for reasons that
transcend the acknowledgment of physical perfection. To assert that someone deserves to be
publically shamed for her appearance (which by the way is healthy and in my
opinion, gorgeous) simply because she chose to partake in the pageant is narrow-minded
and presumptuous. To believe that she cannot be "spectacular" or "inspiring" because she is not "unattainably beautiful," is actually heartbreaking.
Yes- I realize that swimsuit is a portion of the competition
and therefore, should be taken seriously by all contestants. I have donned a bikini and modeled for more
than ten separate panels of judges in the last few years.
Photo: Richard Krauss Photography
I understand that physical fitness and
personal health is an important aspect of leading a successful life. That being said, I argue that psychological
and emotional health is equally as important.
Finding a balance between an appealing physical appearance and a positive mental state is not easy. I
have been there. I have struggled to
find equilibrium. It is not my place to
critique the choices one makes to achieve their ideal balance. Pageant judges in the Miss America
Organization are instructed to objectively observe and make conclusions about a
contestant’s swimsuit presentation using the following instructions:
"The Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit competition is designed to see
how well the contestant maintains a lifestyle of good physical, emotional and
intellectual health. The contestant’s
sense of confidence and presence, as well as her drive, energy, charisma and
composure are to be likewise considered."
Please note that the
Miss America Organization script in no way posits that a contestant should
achieve any particular shape nor should she subscribe to a socially accepted
version of the female figure.
While I have never
competed in the Miss Universe Organization myself, I did some digging to find
this response to the frequently asked question, “What is the Miss Universe
Organization looking for in a contestant?”
Their answer is as follows: “A contestant much be confident. She must be able to demonstrate authenticity
and articulate her ambitions as a titleholder.
The competitions showcase and evaluate the contestant’s aspirations and
are judged by accomplished business leaders, philanthropists, and public
figures.”
Where does the MUO itself suggest that their
titleholder must meet some pre-conceived notions of beauty? I’m not denying that there isn’t an unwritten
understanding that beauty impacts the competition results. I just cannot comprehend how anyone defends
hurtful comments with the argument that a person's physique determines how beautiful they are. Don’t we want
more for our society and our fellow females?
I’m proud of how far the MUO has come in promoting their contestants’
accomplishments and goals, independent of their body types. Miss Canada’s placement as a semi-finalist
means that judges took into account that not all of her bones were visible, and still saw her as a "top 9" contestant. Perhaps they took into
account that Siera tailored her health regimen for what best suits her desires-
mentally and physically.
During my interview at Miss America I was asked
how I felt about a “plus-size model,” Ashley Graham, gracing the cover of
Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition. I
explained that I’m glad SI is promoting another body image and letting women
know that all shapes and sizes are beautiful.
My answer was followed up with another question asking something to the
effect of, “but don’t you think she promotes a negative idea of health to young
girls?” I replied that because I cannot
accurately predict her personal diet and workout regimen by simply looking at
her body in a magazine, I had no business in commenting on her health. I could eat the same food and participate in
the same workouts as 10 other women and we would all look different. She promotes an image of acceptance and
self-love and I can get on board with that.
Was this an answer the judges wanted to hear? Perhaps not.
I still stand by it. If Miss
Canada feels confident in her swimsuit and found her personal balance of
maintaining psychological well being while striving for physical health, who
are we to comment? The judges at Miss
Universe saw her beauty and her positive light and they rewarded her for
it. It doesn’t mean that the public
should feel free to call her “lazy” or “undeserving,” just like it doesn’t mean
the contestants of smaller stature shouldn’t be labeled “anorexic,” and muscular
contestants shouldn’t be deemed “too bulky.”
We are all fighting an internal battle- pageant girls are not
immune. Think before you type. It’s a simple phrase that I teach to schoolchildren. Treat others the way you wish to be treated-
regardless of whether you’re speaking out loud or typing on a keyboard. Understand that the women on your television
screen are living, breathing human beings.
They deserve to be treated with compassion; regardless of what
competition they join.
