The New Sexy

Pageant & Miss Universe 2014 Reflections:

Wow! What a pageant last night! I must say, watching my friend compete for the title of Miss Universe 2014 from my little apartment-style living room in Elkhart was extremely difficult. Not only did I want to be in Doral, Florida to support Miss USA in person, but just 7 short months ago I was competing at Miss USA 2014 in hopes that it would be me representing the United States of America. With that said, my fiance and I sat with our feet up and watched as 88 of the most beautiful women in the world graced the stage as I relaxed in my sweats.

Now in pageant-world, we all know that there is bound to be some sort of controversy or major upset that the world spends the following week tweeting and hash-tagging about (I would know, I have been one of those hash-tags). Thankfully, the commotion this time isn't about a flubbed answer or a girl tripping on stage... it was in support of a beautiful contestant that the world thought should have received the crown last night. Jamaica was stunning and we could all tell the crowd fell in love with her as they protested in echoing boo's with her 4th Runner Up placement. But it really made me think, what was it about Jamaica made the world fall in love with her? Then it hit me;It was her ability to challenge the pageant norm and stand out. Her pixie-cut hair and flirty personality put a new perspective on what sexy is! Pageant girls are notorious for big hair, big curls, and big smiles. Jamaica didn't have any of those. She stepped out on the stage with short hair, a cute smirk, and a classy evening gown and BAM- instantly became the crowd favorite.

What does it mean to be beautiful & sexy, today? In pageant-world it's long, voluptuous hair with perfect white teeth, high cheek bones, and tall. We ride the fine line of short dresses, and dresses with slits up to our panty lines. Bikinis are becoming smaller and smaller and cleavage keeps getting bigger and bigger. The fashion industry is known for promoting super skinny and super tall models (men and women, alike). The fashion industry pushes every envelope and can be seen blown up across billboards around the world. Now for celebrities... I would say they are a combination of all of those things. It's this standard of sexy that is pushed in our faces on tv, smart phones, and the typical magazine! BUT the good news is: the world is ready for a change. You all supported me being the 'normal contestant' at Miss USA and protested after I was eliminated from the competition because of my swimsuit scores. And once again, you are protesting that Jamaica didn't win because she had the guts to be different. We are putting a new standard on sexy! 

Posing Nude
I am sure most of you were shocked at the beautiful photograph of the new Miss Nevada USA 2012 at the top of this blog. I decided to share it because the message the photograph is sending honestly upset me. Im going to say this right away;I am not bashing her. Miss Nevada USA 2012 is absolutely stunning. She has, by our beauty standards, a beautiful face and breath-taking body.Don't we all wish that we looked like that? 

But that's my biggest issue. We all want to be something we aren't! 

We are always trying new beauty regimens, tips and tricks, and makeup techniques that make us look "sexier." You know you have read the "Look better naked" articles at some point. But with the world always flaunting more and more skin, we find ourselves riding that line of sexy/sleazy. Yo! What happened to modesty? I mean, I am not the most modest person in the world and the world has seen that infamous "Miss Indiana USA's Normal Body" swimsuit picture. But I have always believed that a combination of classy and confident was what made me feel sexy. And I think you'll agree that the world doesn't need to see my under-boob cleavage in order to be considered sexy.

Now titleholders, in my opinion, have the responsibility of representing their home states and being a servant to various causes. The Miss America Organization's national platform is the Children's Miracle Network. The Miss Universe Organization's social cause is Best Buddies and Habitat for Humanity, just to name a few. But the MOST important responsibility that titleholders have is to be the leader that little girls look up to and aspire to be! I may not have children yet, but I sure don't wan't my little nieces to see that photograph of Miss Nevada USA and want to be like her in that photo. Nor do I want my little nephews to look at that picture and think that's what beauty is. Doesn't leave much to the imagination. They are too young and pliable to understand that this photograph is a depiction on her confidence. All they see is what our first impressions saw: "she's naked!"

Wrapping it all up
Our standard of sexy is finally changing! Today's technology and social media have many downfalls, but it does give us the ability to be heard on a national scale! We all loved that Jamaica had the confidence to be herself and you all loved that I am not a size 00 (haha) AND we aren't afraid to stand up! We need to look at ourselves as God created us and figure out what His intentions are for us. It is OUR responsibility to be the BEST versions of ourselves and to empower each other to do the same. So wipe off that makeup, and see yourself through God's eyes. You are beautiful. You are sexy. Just Be You.

And wahoo to Nia, Miss USA, for placing 1st runner up! Gotta give our girl a shout out <3