by Arts & Entertainment Editor Stephanie Penn-Danforth
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Being a plus size diva for most of her life didn't stop Andrea from doing something out of the ordinary.  Despite the negative images that society tends to display regarding plus size women, Andrea is confident that anything is possible regardless of size and any dream you have had but never acted on is well within reach.  This Dream Big segment features Andrea Sledge, a member of the Venus Diva community.  Known to many as "Ms_Sxynyella", Andrea was kind enough to open up to me about how entering the pageant came about, what it did for her and what it can do for you.
 
What gave you the motivation to believe in yourself and try something new?

As a young girl I loved to watch the Miss America pageants. The glitz, the glamour,  I could not get enough. When I found out the Miss Plus America Pageant system existed I was so excited. I talked to one of my girlfriends about it and she in turn suggested I be in the pageant. So many thoughts crossed my mind but a piece of me felt that I owed it to myself to at least try. So I submitted my application and never looked back. It was the unshakable want and desire to be a part of something great that gave me the motivation to step out and dare myself to be different.

Have you ever done something like that before?

Oh my goodness no. I had never been in a pageant before and I was so nervous going into our second Pageant Boot Camp. I didn't know what to expect but after meeting everyone I was shocked. Although it was a competition everyone was cheering each other on, helping each other out and showed me a sister hood like I had never seen. It is such a wonderful experience. MPA (Miss Plus America) boasts about being a family and it is so true. I love all of my pageant sisters.

Have you always been a curvy Diva?

Yes I have.

If yes, what type of images did you receive as a child?

Growing up there were not many positive depictions of plus size women in the media, nor was there a doll that looked like me. Through my early school years I never thought of myself as the "fat kid" in the class. I had plenty of role models in my life that kept me grounded and helped me realize what was in the mirror, a beautiful, smart, charismatic and fun young woman, and it didn't matter what the world thought about me because I did not need their validation or approval to love me! I come from a long line of beautiful curvy women who were always dressed to the nine and had unshakable confidence in themselves. I am so thankful for them and especially my mom. She always reassured me that I was beautiful no matter what size I was. 

Do you think the way society views women with curves have changed?

Yes indeed, slowly but surely. There is still some grey area to cover but with the inclusion of Plus Size Models and designers on TV specials such as BET Rip the Runway along with Plus Size publications and Non Plus Size publications highlighting Plus Size fashion and women, we are showing the world that we are here, we are beautiful and we are proud of our curves. A huge misconception by society is that the majority of curvy women have low self esteem and feel bad about having more to love which is not true. There are so many positive images now with Plus Models and Actresses who are setting a wonderful standard for all Curvy women that says love yourself inside and out and shows us how to love the skin we are in. I know from competing in the Miss Plus Texas Pageant that I want to do more to help with changing the mind set in regards to the Curvy woman.

For that teenage girl who is doubting herself because she has a little extra to love, what advice would you give her?

I would say that no matter what LOVE YOURSELF. God created each of us to be special in our own way. Individuality is a beautiful gift that no one can take from you. You have to love yourself and know that no matter what the media, magazines or society may say you are IT. You also have to know in your heart and believe that you can be a model, you can be a pageant Queen, you can be an actress, you can do and be anything in this world that you put your mind to. I would also ask her or anyone else who feels down about themselves to perform this small exercise every day and that exercise is simple, Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself " I am a beautiful person inside and out. I love my curves and I embrace them with open arms" say it everyday until you believe it and own it as your own J.
 
The pageant was in May, so what happened?

The 2009 Miss Texas Plus America pageant was held Sunday May 24, 2009 in Mesquite Texas. The pageant is broken down into 3 divisions the Miss, Ms. and Mrs., I competed in the Miss division as Miss Plano Texas Plus America. It was the most wonderful experience of my life thus far. Being that this was my first pageant I was extremely excited and although I did not place in the top 5, I am the winner of the 2009 Miss Texas Plus America Director's Award. Many people asked me if I would compete again since I did not place in the top 5. By being in the pageant I found out a lot about myself and did things I could never have seen myself doing. It gives you such a boost of confidence and self assurance that can not be put into words. I hope that each of us experiences that kind of joy at least once in our livesJ. So yes I would compete again and I am happy to announce that I have decided to compete in the 2010 Texas Plus America Pageant as Ms. Mesquite Texas Plus America.