Miss Seychelles Plus beauty pageant 2018 Meet the contestants |26 January 2018

‘Beauty should be celebrated’ is the theme of the first ever Miss Seychelles Plus beauty contest which is being hosted this year.

The show will take place on February 3 at the International Conference Centre (ICCS) from 7pm onwards.

This pageant, which is a paying event, is being organised by the Beauty Organisation Seychelles led by Kevin Perine and Stephanie Duval.

The main aim of the organisation is to promote women empowerment, spreading the message that girls and women are powerful.

As the ladies gear up for the big day, Seychelles NATION presents a short profile on each of the 10 contestants taking part in the pageant.

Contestant no. 1 – Valerie Barbe

My name is Valerie Barbe. I’m 21 years of age and currently residing at Anse aux Pins. I’m a trainee assistant airside operation officer at the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA). Most importantly I’m a mother to three beautiful children.

My primary reason for joining the pageant is to build up my self-esteem, to boost my confidence and to share with Seychelles that beauty can come in all sizes.

If I win the pageant on February 3, I will continue the journey with my gals of course to empower the other plus size women out there so that they can step out of the shadow and come to light, and to show people in general that we should treat all women equally, no matter what size we wear.

Why should I win the pageant? Well, because I think I have the beauty and the confidence as well as a voice that can be heard. But win or lose we all should be proud because we have all made it this far and we are the first ever Miss Seychelles plus contestants.

On that note I would like to wish all my fellow contestants goodluck.

Contestant no. 2 – Judline Marengo

I’m Judline Marengo, all the way from La Gogue. I'm 33 years old.

I was born not to be perfect, but to learn;

I'm a plus size and I'm not complaining;

I love myself and I love all plus sizes.

Love you all.

Contestant no. 3 – Verona Marie

Hi! My name is Verona Marie. I am 31 years old and work as a preschool teacher. I’m a Pointe Larue resident but currently living at Au Cap. I am creative, softhearted and a happy person. It is a great privilege to be a contestant in the first Miss Seychelles plus.

En lizye lo lepase

En regar ver lavenir

Mon ti’n perdi lespwar

Me mon’n ganny lakviktwar

Mersi Senyer

Se ou menm pilye mon lavi.

Contestant no. 4 – Sandra Florine

Hello my name is Sandra Florine… contestant number 4. I come from Praslin but I’m residing at Pointe au Sel. I am a very outgoing and friendly person. I enjoy singing and outdoor activities. Thank you.

Contestant no. 5 – Natasha Charlette

My name is Natasha Charlette. I am 20 years old. I live at Les Cannelles. This

year I am going to start my studies as a secondary teacher.

I joined this pageant to have a sense of achievement and fulfilment. Those are the

memories and experiences I will make throughout this event.

I should win because I want to show just how truly willing I am to advocate for plus size women.

If I win, I will create an open group on the social media where I can share my

experiences and interact with other plus size women who have been scared and

shy of their appearances over the years.

I will also be available in the community to talk to anyone who needs the support

because of their sizes. They need to know how lucky they are and beautiful in their own way.

My expectation after the pageant is to keep in touch with the other contestants

and the pageant organisers since we have bonded well. I will continue to use what I have learned for my personal development. Thank you.

Contestant no. 6 – Christina Chang-Ko

My name is Christina Chang- Ko and I’m contestant no. 6. I have 2 boys.

I am a professional beautician and I love the arts.

Proud mum

Proud woman

Thick and curvaceous

Sensitive and sweet

Smart and courageous

Intellectual and wise

Fearless and strong

Beautiful with all my flaws

I’m blessed to be me

My size does not define me

Contestant no. 7 – Juanne Freminot

My name is Juanne Freminot and I'm contestant number 7. I live at Anse Boileau and I'm currently working as a teacher assistant at the Baie Lazare crèche. I love singing, dancing, listening to music, watching movies and I also do a little bit of writing. In the future I would love to help other plus size women to have more confidence and also help our youth to learn how to overcome their insecurities and how to cope with bullies and bullying.

Here I am, I've fallen and gotten up multiple times, I've laughed, I've cried, I've been disappointed but I've never lost faith. Here I am, I am happy, I feel beautiful, I feel blessed, here I am complete just as God intended.

Contestant no. 8 – Angela Jeannie

My name is Angela Jeannie. I work at Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove as a service centre agent. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, especially my lovely kids.

Seeing is believing

What you see is exactly what you will get

Thick, thin and chubby waist

Full of life full of love

Believe it or not for I’m loved

Contestant no. 9 – Diane Victor

My name is Diane Victor and I’m 29 years old. I come from Takamaka.

My message to all my sexy plus size friends out there: “Confidence is the sexiest   thing that a woman can wear”.

Vote for contestant no. 9. Thank you.

Contestant no. 10 – Marie Reine Mahoune

Salut! Je m'appelle Marie Reine Mahoune. J'ai 31 ans. J'habite à Anse Etoile.

J'ai une fille que j’adore. J'ai décidé de participer à ce concours pour avoir davantage de la confiance en moi-même.

Je suis une fleur

Je suis un avion

Je suis une chanson

Je suis une maison

Prends bien soin de moi.