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.
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.
Editor-In-Chief, Stephanie Penn-Danforth -- Daily Venus Diva.
Its good to see plus size women get their do! Too many of us, especially men got caught up in the whole Barbie doll thing! The only thing Barbie can do for my tasteis show me the Big Gurl with hamburger and the confidence to show her beauty.
Thanks for the comment Tyrone!!