Beauty Pageants and controversy are indeed a match made in heaven. There have been countless times when beauty pageants have come under the radar of many activists groups and movements on varied grounds. They encompass pursuing unrealistic beauty standards, promoting body shaming, stereotyping, self-criticism, triggering serious mental health concerns and whatnot. The entire world seems to be divided into two schools of thoughts. One who opine that beauty pageants are a way to objectifying women and another who believes that a beauty pageant is all about redefining futuristic vision of Women Empowerment. Undeniably, pageants do not come without flaws. A prevailing belief is that these beauty pageants act as nothing but a golden ticket to make a foray into the showbiz. Nevertheless, not every beauty pageant winner despite trying luck in the showbiz has been able to experience a taste of sweet success. At the end of the day, it is a talent that matters most and not merely appealing personality along with a prestigious beauty pageant winner title. On the contrary, beauty pageants have been emerged as a strong platform to wage a war against nepotism by imparting opportunities to the deserving beauties to enable them to showcase their talent in the showbiz.
An array of elements like the age bar, height bar, and specific titles like “Miss beautiful Smile” strive to label almost every physical attribute. These attributes do suffice to trigger myriad mental health concerns in pageants contestants itself let alone talk about the ordinary women who do not conform to the paramount level of beauty standards. Albeit, amidst all the hue and cry, how can we turn blind eye to the positive dimensions of the beauty pageants. As they impart exceptionally rewarding opportunity to bright and confident beauties already wearing internal crowns to “Re-evaluate what they want in their career and fact in their overall life”. It is indeed a platform where culture is emulated most ingeniously. Only a beauty pageant has made it possible for an aspirant doctor, an aspirant lawyer, an aspirant pilot, and beyond to switch career to showbiz thereby making them experience an overwhelming 360-degree life turn characterized by incredible success, fame, recognition, financial abundance and more.
Power woman Oprah Winfrey has aptly quoted, “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.” How can we dismiss that even the intelligence, intellectual and compassion parameters too of all the contestants are scrutinized through dedicated relevant rounds? Based on their IQ and EQ, a final judgment is delivered. There are no qualms that beauty pageants have been fundamentally triumphant in metamorphosing their trajectories emphasizing “Inclusivity” and “Racial diversity”. The unleashing of beauty pageants for plus size women is one such incredibly noteworthy initiative towards overcoming the flaws associated with the superficial notion of beauty.
An ambitious woman is no more believed to be an object of criticism. No matter what the world strives to tell women, they are driven to accomplish “Big Dreams” since time immemorial. How can we brush aside the conspicuous certitude that these beauty pageants have indeed emerged as a platform for the women to be absolutely “UNAPOLOGETIC” about their vivid Dreams, Aspirations, Ambitions, and most importantly their Voices and candid Opinions? In the words of Melinda Gates “A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.”
Entire notion of beauty pageant in true sense is “An ode to the Epiphany”: “A Candid Tribute” to the diversity of Personalities, Languages, Inner Spirits, Cultures, Voices, Struggles, Hopes, Dreams, Ambitions and what not. It is a platform where every single beauty pageant has something mesmerizingly unique to offer in terms of personal triumphant, conquering fears, failures, experiences, stories, intellect, and talent and beyond. They are neither and nor have been a medium to objectifying women but rather glorify the essence of womanhood. They have emerged as a medium to contribute to the betterment of mankind and nature. This adage truly resonates with the authentic philosophy of beauty pageants, “Crowns are not just for the head. It is for the shoulders. When you become a queen it is about shouldering the responsibility to innovate leadership so we can impel others to use their influence, vision and talents.” ― Janna Cachola
