Big and Beautiful pageant gets off to flying start

Terry Smith, producer and director of event organizer TEE’El Productions, said he expected more women to sign up by next week’s Tuesday deadline.

This year’s pageant will be held at the Fairmont Southampton Resort on May 1 at 8pm.

For the first time in the pageant’s history there will be a reality TVâshow dedicated to the competition.

It will be aired every Sunday on Channel 82 (The Bermuda Sports Network) from April 10, until the final on May 1.

The time of the show is yet to be confirmed but Mr. Smith anticipates it will start between 8pm and 9pm so all the whole family can enjoy it.

He said: “This is the best year we have had so far in terms of so many girls signing up so quickly.

“We have a good age range so far, from 18 to 40 somethings. They have already presented themselves very well but it will be interesting to see how they transform over the coming weeks.”

To be eligible to enter, contestants must be 21 or over, Bermudian through birth or status, or a resident of Bermuda for six months prior to the date of the May 1 pageant finals.

The Miss Big and Beautiful Pageant showcases Bermuda’s plus-size women in the areas of poise, fashion, speech and performing talent.

The ladies will present themselves in categories of swimwear, personal style and evening wear. They also have to recite a pageant creed.

The titles to be awarded are Best Personal Style, Miss Sweet Charity, Miss Congeniality and Miss Photogenic. 

The reigning Miss Big and Beautiful is Adwina Wescom, pictured above.

Potential contestants can sign up on Monday on the second floor of the Bermuda Industrial Union at Union Square from 6:30pm to 8pm, or on Tuesday at the Leopard’s Club on Cedar Avenue between 6:30pm and 8pm.

Entry forms are available from Clara-Bows Boutique at 34 Court Street. Clara-Bows is this year’s official Big and Beautiful wardrobe.

Miss Big and Beautiful 2011 will receive $1,500 and the first runner-up will receive $500.

All title contestants will receive gift certificates from Clara-Bows Boutique along with a selection of vouchers and gift certificates.

Mr. Smith is trying to get Miss Big and Beautiful Barbados to be the celebrity judge this year.