Miss Plus America
"I plan to do big things as Miss Plus America so stay tuned!!!" Chenese's Diary

Entry #1

This time last year I had no knowledge of pageantry, besides what I saw on television. I never knew that plus size women could compete in pageants, and I surely never thought that I would be a queen! My first reaction to seeing the website was WOW! Not only was the concept of the pageant wonderful, so were the woman that entered, I knew it was something that I had to be involved in.

I’d never participated in a pageant before and I knew I was going to be against pros that had been involved in pageantry all of their lives. Some ladies had pageant coaches, expensive classes, hair and make-up help, pageant queens as friends to give advice and support, and at times I felt as if I was at a disadvantage. I learned the dos and don’ts of pageantry by judging as many pageants as I could, which was very helpful! And to compensate, everything required of me I went above and beyond what was expected. The pageant turned out to be an enjoyable experience on all ends regardless of the outcome.  

Being a part of the Miss Plus America pageant system has been a wonderful experience. Being crowned Miss Plus America was just the icing on the cake! As Miss Plus America I will go above and beyond what is expected of me as I did with my state title. As the first Miss Plus America I will set the standard of excellence for those that follow me as well as serve as a role model for young girls with poor body images and low self esteem. I am very excited about the year ahead and even after the year is over I still plan on being actively involved with the Miss Plus America pageant system. I’ve met so many wonderful people and got exposed to so much that I wouldn’t have if not for the pageant. I am a better person for have doing it.

Special thank you to my parents who taught me it doesn’t matter if you win or lose as long as you do it gracefully.  

Chenese Lewis  
2003 Miss Plus America

Entry #2

I have been the reigning Miss Plus America for three weeks. Although that doesn’t seem like a very long time, things are already starting to roll. After receiving my crown I have been asked by Gambino Jeans, one of my sponsors, to become a spokesmodel for the plus size line. I’ve been added as a guest model with Simply Couture full figured model showcase which tours across the country putting on fashion shows using plus size models. I have been invited to participate in upcoming Mardi Gras parades and to judge pageants, to perform my monologue at various events, and I’ve also been asked by a plus size publication for an interview and to help promote their magazine.  

 In addition to all these things I was also approached by the Rikki Lake show, they said they loved my platform of Positive Body Image as well as my pictures and they were my number one fans!!!!!!!!!! Everyone I come across is so in love with my platform of Positive Body Image, it just goes so well with me, the pageant, and the crown.  

All this is three weeks, just imagine what I will accomplish in three months!! I have several projects in the works and working to continue my impressive appearance schedule, as I did with the state title. I plan to do big things as Miss Plus America so stay tuned!!! Watch out world cause here I come!!  

Stay Positive,
Chenese Lewis
Miss Plus America 2003

Entry #3

The Miss Plus America pageant has allowed me to uncover a secret love of mine, writing! I am so proud of my "Proud To Be Me" article and the response has been overwhelming. So many people were able to identify and take something away from it regardless of their size. I definitely plan on doing other projects of this sort in the near future, it turned out to be a very fulfilling project! I am constantly looking for ways to promote my platform and personally I think the writing is the most effective way so far.

One thing that recently blew me away this month was someone asking for an autographed picture!!!!!!! I was totally unprepared for that one, but I love it! I’m an over night celebrity, soon I will have my own fan club! J  Also I’m an overnight pageant expert as well, since I won the crown I’ve been asked for my opinion on several things about pageantry, which is so weird to me………I guess technically I’m undefeated, I’m 1-0!!!!!!! LOL.  

I also had the chance to model in a fashion show this month in Los Angeles . Although it was not an appearance because I was not there as “Miss Plus America”, it was still mentioned to the crowd and everyone was so excited and impressed!!!! Next month looks as if it’s going to be a very busy month for me and I’m looking forward to every bit of it!

Chenese Lewis
Miss Plus America 2003

ENTRY #4

My reign as Miss Plus America couldn’t be going better! I have so many exciting things to share about what I’ve been up to!  

In December I had a wonderful time participating in the Denham Springs Christmas parade, it was very cold and drizzling, at one point I thought I was going to have to ride in the parade with the top up. Luckily by the time the parade was to start the weather cleared and the Christmas spirit warmed me up! The parade goers complimented me on everything from my crown, to my coat, to my make-up, and congratulated me on winning my title.  The plus size women cheered me on as I rode down the street!!! And every now and then I got a hearty “YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!” I waved to all the cameras and video recorders I saw, and to my surprise one of those cameras was for the local news! I was seen on the local news’ coverage of the parade, smiling and waving to the camera. Everyone was so excited watching me on the news, the parade turned out to be a lot of fun! It will be an experience I will never forget! 

In addition to all the fun I’ve been having making appearances I’m proud to announce Miss Plus America is now also Miss November!!! I will be representing the wonderful month of November in the new Elegant Plus Model 2004 Calendar. I could be wrong, but to my knowledge there has not been a calendar of plus size models made of this caliber, if one has been made at all!  Not only is it just cool to have a calendar for plus size women, but it’s also for a good cause, 100% of the net process got to Dress For Success! Also the calendar can be used by bbw clubs and organizations for fund raisers. I think this is a wonderful way to celebrate women with positive body images and inspire others by showing that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Also, I have the opportunity to help Dress For Success, which helps woman do positive things with their lives and feel good about themselves. And hopefully some size positive organizations will use the calendar as a fund raiser and to help their cause. I just couldn’t lose with this one in anyway!!! I am extremely proud of this project and so happy I could be a part of it!!

 And last but defiantly not the least; I have been giving a wonderful opportunity to be one of the faces gracing the homepage of venusdivas.com. I am so excited about this because this is a very popular site for curvy woman, not only is it good exposure for me but for the pageant as well. I feel honored to be the face the represents plus size pageantry on the site J

 I still have some more things in the works so stay tuned!!!

 Happy New Year!!!  

Stay Positive,

Chenese 
Miss Plus America

ENTRY #5

Where do I begin?!  So much as happened since my last diary entry! The first major change is my location. I‘ve moved from Baton Rouge , Louisiana to Los Angeles , California . That’s right Miss Plus America has gone Hollywood !! Literarily…it’s right down the street J I’ve been here for a couple weeks and so far things are going great. I have adjusted really well; it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. California has so many things for the plus size women. Everything from plus size night clubs, clothing companies, dance troupes, local television shows, social groups, agencies, workshops, etc. I have been trying to get involved with as many things as I can! The response I have gotten here as Miss Plus America is wonderful! It is helping me make lots of wonderful contacts, as well as paving the way for the next women to follow my path as queen.

The first job I got here is the Elephant Man music video, in which I was the lead plus-size girl. It just so happens that Elephant Man loves plus size women!  I did not move to L.A. to do music videos but I figured it would be a once in a lifetime experience since not too many artists are putting plus size women in their videos. I think that any plus size woman on television without it being degrading or in a comical way is wonderful, whatever it is!!!

 This month I also had the privilege of being the February model of the month for ElegantPlus.com and Belle Noir e-zine, these were both total surprises, because I had not submitted anything for either one! It is such an honor and compliment to be featured on both sites. And the more exposure I get the more exposure the title gets!

I already have appearances scheduled for March and April that I am really looking forward to, plus other exciting things simmering!!!! J I have exposed sooo many people here to the Miss Plus America Pageant, and my title, I’m having a blast!  I wish I had time to fulfill everything I want to do as queen….or maybe I will!!!!

Stay Positive,  

Chenese Lewis
Miss Plus America 2003

ENTRY #6

I’ve been very busy in the last couple of months! In March I had the opportunity to speak on my platform at the "Dare to be a Diva Workshop and Fashion Event".  I got so many compliments about my presentation; the ladies told me I was truly inspiring. That made me fell so good, I’m really passionate about my platform and I’m glad it came across to the audience. A few women were so impressed with me that they invited me to their event as a guest speaker!

I also had the opportunity to attend the Miss USA pageant with April Davis, Miss California Plus America. I had a really good time.  It was my first time attending a big televised pageant such as Miss USA. The pageant is a live event so it is interesting not only watching the pageant but the behind the scene work that goes into a live televised event. After the pageant was over, everyone gathered in the lobby.  Even though I did not wear my crown people were reading my banner and reacting. I got asked to pose for a picture a few times J and of course full figured women are always happy to see me and learn about the pageant…I always get a “Well, It’s About Time!!!” no matter where I go! I also had the opportunity to take a photo with and speak to Miss Louisiana; which was cool since I’m from Louisiana.  She was really nice!

Being Miss Plus America has its perks! A new clothing line called Uncle Bill recognized me as a positive image in the junior plus size community. In addition to giving me recognition on their website I was given two beautiful dresses just because! I was given two silk dresses that totaled over $600.00!!!! J

I am really having a great time as Miss Plus America, if you haven’t noticed!!! 

Stay Positive!

Chenese