Meet Chenese Lewis
Each month, I will interview and share with you one of the amazing
curvy women who represent the plus pageant world... women who are
dedicated to a platform and posses strength and curvy beauty...
This month, meet...
Beth Ann Brown
From Milton, Indiana
Pageant titles you've held: Ms. Indiana Plus America 2005
and 2006, Ms. Indiana American Beauties Plus 2008 and the national
title Ms. American Beauties Plus 2008
When you won your title, how did your crowning moment feel: Standing
on stage when I realized I won, was indescribable. It took me a
while to wrap my brain around the idea that I had just won my first
national title! I stood up there hoping that they didn't make a
mistake! My legs went numb and it was probably a good thing that I
didn't want to be anywhere else in the world right there at that
moment. I can't really say that anything else has made me feel
like that.
What was your platform: My platform is the Josh Groban
Foundation. It assists children in need around the world through
contributions to the arts, education and healthcare. I have been part
of this Foundation in some way, shape or form since the very beginning.
It's been an honor being part of several significant projects that the
Foundation has supported as well as being the project director for
Riley's Wishes. This is a bi-annual toy drive for Riley's
Children Hospital in Indianapolis Indiana that Josh Groban fans have
been part of for the past 4 years. The fans have done a wonderful
job collecting and donating toys and craft supplies for Riley's Child
Life Services Department. It also gives me an opportunity to
visit the children at the hospital on a regular basis. Without
the support of Josh and his mother Lindy allowing me to promote the
Foundation through pageantry, I wouldn't have had this wonderful
opportunity.
Why do you enjoy participating in pageants: For the Josh Groban
fans; I enjoy spreading the 'Josh' while promoting my platform.
They'll know what that means. It also allows me to be a positive
role model for girls and women in any age and size. I think most people
don't realize that it's more than dressing up and wearing a
crown. There's knowing that you have the opportunity to make a
difference whether it be in someone's life or for society in
general. Pageantry has given me the self confidence to be the
person that I have always wanted to be and opportunities that I would
not otherwise have had. Besides, who wouldn't want to dress up once in
a while?
Why do you think pageantry is beneficial to plus size women: I
believe that pageantry and being plus size has been given a bad
reputation. Unfortunately, not all pageants promote a sense of well
being and acceptance and there are a few contestants that can make an
once-in-a-lifetime experience into a very big
disappointment. However, I believe that pageantry is
beneficial to plus size women as well as being important in today's
society. A successful pageant system helps to give women as well
as men, self-confidence, the ability to express their individuality and
a foundation in which to promote their causes. Regardless, in the
end, we all win.
What do you do to prepare for a pageant: Nothing special
really. I usually brush up on current events several months in
advance then pretty much make sure that everything that I need gets
added to my packing list. I know of several queens that prepare
year around for pageants. I just don't have that kind of time
with my work and school schedules. I do the best I can with what
time that I got. It helps to have an awesome stylist that can add
you to the appointment book at the last minute.
Did winning a national title give you opportunities and exposure you otherwise might not have had:
Absolutely! I've met many wonderful people and people that
inspire me. I've made a LOT of lifelong friends that I would have
otherwise, not met. I have had the opportunity to be part of
history in the making and be a part of history revisited. I've
traveled to many states and venues to be part of wonderful charitable
events and hope to continue to do so once I pass the crown on.
Most cherished pageant memory: I have a few actually and it is hard to choose.
Cherished? Wow. There are so many! I have two.
At the American Beauties Plus pageant last year, at the end of the
interview, a judge noticed that I have won awards in high school for
vocal talent. Like judges are, they asked me to sing them
something. Stage fright has been a HUGE thing for me to get over
and I thought, well, if they can't understand me, I'll be just
fine. I broke out into the French song, Hymne A L'Amour.
When I had completed my bit, they were quiet. Pin drop
quiet. I sat there for a response and finally, a judge spoke up
and stated, "I think we are done here" while another had tears in her
eyes. It was awesome. I had a Susan Boyle moment. Later
that night, the contestants shared a room, just off the stage, as a
dressing room. Usually, this is the time where you will see
stress unfold and anything can happen. The entire time we were
getting ready, we goofed off. It was the most unusual occurrence
in a pageant dressing room. We took silly pictures and promised
to keep in touch regardless of the outcome and we have. They are
my second family. All in all, this was a great day.
Funniest pageant memory: Let me see. During an interview at Miss
Plus America pageant, I was asked what I like to do for fun. Now,
knowing how judges can be, I brought up ballroom dancing. A
response from one of the male judges was, 'oh really? Too bad we
don't have any music!' I then stated, 'who needs music to
dance?' and did a little salsa move in my chair. He turned beet
red. The other judges and I laughed and it took about a full
minute of my interview time to regain my composure.
Where do you keep your crown: It has its own little case it
sits in while it makes a home on top of my dresser. Fancy
huh. I wish I could say that I have a curio cabinet with
specially placed lighting to bounce off the stones but, I don't.
What advice would you give to a plus size woman interested in competing in a pageant:
Go for it! I highly encourage anyone that is interested in competing in
a pageant to give it a try. Word of advice though, before jumping
in with both feet, definitely know what you are jumping in to.
Not all pageants are the same. If a plus size woman is interested
in competing, I recommend speaking to someone that has been there and
done that. This way, there are no surprises or
disappointments. Most of all, have fun! Competing can be a
great way to meet lifelong friends and to show the world what you are
made of.
For more information on the pageant world, visit www.pluspageantry.com
