Cheer with me: for the first time ever, Singapore will host a plus size beauty pageant. Do I care about beauty pageants? Not really. But I do care about challenging stereotypes of beauty, whether it be Western or typical Asian stereotypes. While in the West the discussion on dispelling beauty standards is trending and plus size models emerge, Asia is still coming around to acknowledging the need for body positivity. Plus-sized women in Singapore often face cutting remarks, even from the people closest to them. Luckily, Fiona Tan proves that Asians don’t have to be slim and petite to be considered beautiful…
Lately, an increasing amount of conscious strides have been made in the West in highlighting the vicious, self-perpetuating cycles that hamper body image. A long-awaited discussion on dispelling beauty standards is finally trending and plus size models like Ashley Graham have emerged - and are here to stay, hopefully. Asia however still needs to come around to acknowledge the need for body positivity. Which is why it is such good news that International plus size pageant “Miss Top of the World Plus Size” (Miss TOTW PS) will be held in Singapore this November!
Body authenticity and positivity - here to stay in the West or a temporary trend?
As an Asian minority in last year’s competition, Fiona Tan, reigning Miss TOTW PS 2016 and director of the Singapore pageant this year, stood out from the line-up of full-figured beauty queens with her charisma and effectively debunked the notion that Asians must be slim and petite to be considered beautiful, sending local and international media into a frenzy. Fiona was crowned both “Miss Top of the World Plus Size 2016” and “Miss Plus Size of the World 2016”, emerging as the first and only Asian and Singaporean woman to win two global beauty pageants. You go girl!
I'm an instant fan of Fiona Tan!
According to the Straits Times, many plus-sized women in Singapore struggle with body image issues alone, as there are no local support groups for them. Apart from having trouble shopping for clothes or finding life partners, plus-sized women often face cutting remarks, even from the people closest to them; the media, ads and even their peers and family members bombard young people daily with the message that only thin people have value. Which is why, at the age of 21, Fiona made a drastic decision to undergo liposuction in Thailand,. This brought her weight down to 72kg, which she soon after regretted as she felt she had lost part of her personality. She now weighs 102kg, and has fully embraced her curves. With the competition this year, Fiona hopes to inspire Asian women of all shapes and sizes to celebrate their bodies, while combating body image issues, eating disorders and body dysmorphia:
“We are here to defy societal norms and overcome limiting beliefs about what constitutes beauty.”
Hear hear! The candidates arrive November 8th and will compete in a Grand Finale & Award Ceremony at Legacy Centre on November 12th. Read more about the pageant & contestants here. They are all absolutely beautiful, but my favorites are -surprise- Singapore and The Netherlands. Good luck girls!
2017 © Ms & Mrs Top Of The World
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