A WOMAN from Semington will compete in the finals of Miss Voluptuous UK next Saturday and hopes to inspire other women to be confident in themselves, whatever their size.
Lyndsay Mizen entered the competition, which is a pageant specifically for plus-sized women, in March after her friend, Laura Spencer, also applied and made it in to the final.
“When Laura told me about the pageant, it sounded really appealing so I sent off my application. That same day I was invited to attend a video interview and then to meet the director of the pageant. At the end of the interview he told me I had a place in the final! I was over the moon.
“I’d not heard about the competition before but I really liked its values and what it stood for. It’s different to the traditional Miss Universe-type pageants, firstly because it’s for women who are size 14+, and promotes body confidence and body positivity.
“It also gives you an opportunity to promote your platform. I’ve chosen to promote two charities; Mind and Carers UK, both are very close to my heart. If I win, I’ll be able to raise awareness about the work that these two amazing charities are doing, which is a great opportunity.
“The pageant looks at you as an individual rather than just what you look like. We have similar rounds to the beauty pageants but we don’t have the swimsuit round.
“I’d really like to win! You get a year to actively promote everything you care about and are passionate about and make changes, which is a brilliant opportunity.
“I’d like to be an inspiration for other women who perhaps aren’t body confident and think they can’t enter a pageant because they are bigger than the traditional beauty pageant lady. My message is, you can do it! Your inner beauty is what is important and your personality – have confidence in yourself.”
Lyndsay will compete in the final on Saturday 2nd September at The Cambridge Belfry Hotel in Cambridge.
