But not any more, following the release of Netflix movie Dumplin’.
It follows a plus-size teenager as she enters a small-town pageant in Texas to prove a point – much to the horror of her ex-beauty queen mum, played by Jennifer Aniston, left with co-star Danielle Macdonald.
Willowdean “Dumplin’’ Dickson and her unconventional friends who sign up for the pageant alongside her, become the stars of the show.
Here, Claire Dunwell speaks to four women who have also broken the traditional tiara-wearing template to become true beauty queens.
'I used to use camouflage make-up'
FLIGHT attendant Laura Gregory has a condition called vitiligo, which means her skin has blotchy white patches – and says pageants have helped her accept her looks.
Laura, from Sheffield, whose partner Rich Hurst, 39, owns a car transport business, says:
"When I am competing in pageants, I forget that I have white patches all over my body.
I have learned not to care what people think and the pageants have given me the confidence to accept that this is the way I am.
I was 11 when I first noticed a white patch on my stomach which soon spread. As a teenager, I was shy about my body and although I didn’t hide the condition, nobody picked up on it until I started getting patches on my neck.
When I entered my first pageant at 22, I used camouflage make-up to cover it up. I wanted to stand out for the right reasons, and I didn’t want to be pitied.
I wanted to be remembered for all the positive things I had done in my life and not because of the vitiligo.
Some people think the prettiest girl in the pageant will always win. Nobody ever comes first because they could afford the best hair extensions or the most sparkly evening gown.
There is so much more to pageants and I have competed in eight altogether, finishing first in three.
When I entered the Miss Scuba pageant three years ago which meant posing in a bikini, I decided it was time to stop covering up.
I wanted to show other women they can be themselves when they compete.
Rich, my family and friends were all behind me and although it was nerve-racking, I was really proud that I did it. Now when I compete, I never cover up.
Too many girls worry they don’t belong in the pageant world which is wrong. Anyone can enter, and they can do well.
I hope Dumplin’ encourages people to see that women who take part in pageants are kind and beautiful both inside and out."
'I hope to inspire others in their 50s'
MEDICAL practice manager Kathi Ozmaya won the Miss UK Rose pageant four months ago – and says mature women should not let age hold them back.
Kathi lives in Warrington with her fiance, HGV driver Darren Kemp, 50, her son James, 17, and his daughter Katie, 15, from a previous relationship.
It was Kathi’s older daughter, Jordan, 28, who first convinced her to enter the pageant. Kathi says:
"I used to be a size 16 and didn’t feel good about myself. As much as I wanted to embrace my curves, I wasn’t happy.
When Jordan said she was getting married, it was the push I needed to lose weight. I joined Slimming World and lost 3st 7lb. I felt better about myself.
Jordan already competed in pageants and, when she suggested I should give it a go last year, I laughed. I said I was too old. I didn’t want to be a laughing stock and thought people would judge me because of my age.
When I realised the pageant involved raising money for charity, I came around to the idea. It was more than just sticking on a glamorous dress and looking pretty.
It felt worthwhile and I managed to raise £1,500. At the finals, I couldn’t believe I had made it.
Once I got on stage in a beautiful blue evening gown with my hair and make-up done, my nerves vanished. I didn’t give my age a thought – I was too busy enjoying myself.
Being crowned overall charity winner was incredible, because I never expected it.
Darren is really supportive and says I am more confident now than ever. I judge at pageants and I hope I inspire other women in their 50s to give them a try.
Pageants encourage women to share their confidence with other women and entering is the best decision I ever made.
I loved Dumplin’ because it’s great to see someone rebel against what is considered the norm in the world of pageants.
They’re more about women empowering women than about beauty."
'It was a shock to reach the finals'
OSTEOPATH Katie Davey, who is the reigning Miss Voluptuous UK, says body shape need be no barrier to entering pageants.
Katie lives in Horley, Surrey, with her computer engineer husband Lawrence, 34, and three children. She says:
No two women are the same and, regardless of size, shape or age, we should be proud of our bodies.
Before I competed, friends and family told me I should get into modelling. I have never been a size 10 so the idea seemed ridiculous. I don’t fit the usual stereotype.
Now, the pageants have changed my thinking completely.
Why shouldn’t I celebrate my body just like other women who are three sizes smaller than me? People stereotype beauty pageants, thinking women need to look a certain way to enter, but they empower women of all shapes and sizes.
When I entered the pageant last year and got through to the finals, it was a real shock. I never imagined I would get that far, let alone win the title.
I was absolutely petrified getting up on stage and, when I came down with a virus just days before, I almost pulled out.
I am so glad I went through with it – and being on stage alongside other plus-size women who were proud of their bodies was amazing.
When I was crowned the winner, I was stunned. I am proof that you don’t need to be a size zero to look and feel good.
I go to the gym three times a week and am fit and healthy.
I could never be a size 10 and I wouldn’t want to be. I don’t see why I should starve myself just to fit in with how other people think I should look.
Pageants are all about body positivity and loving ourselves the way we are.
Dumplin’ is brilliant. It shows that, when a woman is able to break down other people’s misconceptions, they learn to love themselves and anything is possible."
'I'm proud of what I've achieved'
PROPERTY firm accountant Lena McAllister was left in a wheelchair after a car accident aged 18, but refused to let her disability stop her from competing in Miss Cumbria – and making the final. Lena, who is single and from Carlisle, says:
"Before I took part in the pageant, when I was 25, I had really low self-esteem – but competing has now changed my outlook.
I almost didn’t survive the car accident. I had multiple injuries and shattered my pelvis, broke my back and had a bleed on the brain. Until then, I had never broken even a single bone.
When I was told I would never be able to walk again, my life changed overnight. I had scars from the surgery, and I was paranoid because I was in a wheelchair.
It felt like everyone was looking at me and I was very self-conscious. It took years to accept what had happened.
But I had to get on with my life. When I saw an advert for a pageant in my local paper, a friend persuaded me to enter. I was sure I would be rejected but decided to enter for fun.
I was gobsmacked when I then got through to the final.
As I did my hair and make-up alongside the other girls, I forgot all about my disability.
For the first time since my accident, I felt like I fitted in.
Being on the catwalk felt incredible and, although I was worried I might roll off the end of the stage, I loved every minute.
It was an amazing experience. I finished in the top five and was buzzing for days afterwards.
A year ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and the treatment caused my hair to fall out. I am still waiting for the all-clear but I stay positive.
Life is for living and I am proud of what I have achieved."
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