On August 16, 2014, in Seattle, Washington the first-ever Miss Plus USA competition was held. And I was there, along with 24 other beautiful candidates competing for the big prize. Even though I didn’t take the crown (I did make it up to the Top 10, though!), I won a lot more than that. I made some great friends during that very cold week (I’m used to 90 degree weather, don’t judge me).
For those of you that aren’t familiar with the Miss Plus USA pageant, it’s a one-of-a-kind pageant where the primary requirement to participate is to be a double digit size (sizes 10 and up). Unlike mainstream pageantry, you are not required (or encouraged!) to lose those extra pounds. Miss Plus USA focuses on “queenly” qualities like confidence, your ability to be a good role model and involvement with a cause that you are passionate about. The process to become a competitor was somewhat easy: I submitted two recommendation letters, an explanation about my interest in being Miss Plus USA and what my cause platform was. Luckily, I was chosen to be the first-ever Miss Puerto Rico Plus USA. During this journey, I realized so many things. I often found myself wondering if I was worthy enough to represent the plus-sized community in Puerto Rico on a national level. Hearing comments like “You’re not really plus-size”, were things that actually made me think I couldn’t make it. But “plus-size” is a word that represents women from curvy to BBW (big, beautiful women). Whilst preparing, I accepted that there is no way I will ever be what the mainstream fashion industry’s “standard woman” is, and instead of thinking it through, I should just embrace who I am. That’s what Plus USA is all about.
Even after hearing the positive body-acceptance experience Miss Plus USA is, and even though my fellow participants and I came from every corner of North America, there’s a high possibility that many will say that what we had in common, because we participated in a “beauty pageant”, was that we all asked for world peace during the interview round. However, we all had platforms for causes that we care and are raising awareness for, a passion of our own, a purpose that we wanted to make our goal. Â I want to talk about all those gals that do this for a living, or a hobby, whatever you may call it. Being in a pageant not as easy as it seems.
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“I certainly believe that U.S. Americans are not able to do so, because there are people out there in our country that don’t have maps.”
It’s been seven years, and Miss Teen South Carolina still wins the crown for worst preparation ever. Don’t get me wrong, it all comes down to drawing a blank because being on stage with all eyes on you in nervewracking, but her answer did absolutely nothing to help the stereotype that beauty queens are vapid. I’ve been a pageant girl for 8 years now (has it really been that long?), and I still get terrified everytime I have to go on stage.Â
Every pageant has its “thing”: mainstream pageantry usually involves an introduction, a swimsuit competition (or fitness wear), an evening gown presentation, and interview, and an outfit that represents your country. There are others that also have a cause platform. Now let’s think about this in economic terms: think about the inscription fees, the coaches hired to help in prep for the competition, the crazy diets, the professional pictures and headshots, and how much a dress costs. Participating in a pageant can cost you $2,000-$5,000, easily. Budgetting becomes your best friend, and you have to leave plenty of room for unknown extra expenses. If you’re competing in Nations, be prepared to pay airfare, which can set you back quite a bit. Most of the money can be raised by holding fundraisers if you aren’t able to pay for it out of your own pocket, and making public appearances to gain recognition is also a good tactic. Some people donate or help out in some way, and sponsors can be a big help, too. I know that if it wasn’t for my sponsors, I wouldn’t have been able to wear my gorgeous interview dress, the countless outfits, and the gifts it’s tradition to give my fellow competitors.
A big thank you to my sponsors,  Lotus and Mirta de Perales !Â
My evening gown, designed by the amazing Jose Luis NegrĂłn.
Also, be prepared to go through a lot of changes. Hair, make-up, lots of exercise. Make-up WILL become your best friend. Months go by really fast, so don’t wait until the last minute. You don’t want to know what it’s like to book a flight 10 hours before getting on the plane. You’ll feel all the feelings, but believe me when I saw this experience is unforgettable. You finally made it there, so that means you did a pretty good job preparing, right? You sat through tons of mock interview with your friends, family, coach… anyone at this point. I remember practicing my 30 second introduction on my way to Seattle to the stranger that was sitting next to me on the plane (sorry, not sorry). If you’re competing in a country with a language different than yours, take classes so you can learn to speak fluently, because this could be a potential setback.
When arriving to the hotel, don’t go all diva on anyone; humility before anything. You don’t know who’s going to be there, you don’t want to give the worst first impression in the history of pageantry. As the week passes by, you get to meet your competitors. Some are nice, some aren’t. But just because there are a couple that are less polite doesn’t mean that you’re going to do the same. There are others girls whose kindness will literally cause you physical pain. I met this wonderful woman who let me borrow her steamer, and stayed until 3 AM talking to me in the hallway. These are the little memories you cherish and will make the stress and lack of sleep worth it.Â
This one’s for you, my empowered friend!
(From left to right wearing Boots by Pamela: Teen Oregon Plus USA, Teen American Samoa Plus USA, Teen Maine Plus USA, Teen Puerto Rico Plus USA and Teen Washington Plus USA.)
Days passby quickly and then there’s interview day. You hand in a fact sheet a few days beforehand. Never lie on your fact sheet. Seriously. They will ask about what’s on paper, and also about things that are not. Don’t be nervous, you made it this far. Everyone loves a confident queen. Also, during this week you’ll have more public appeareances, so never forget to be genuine and let your personality shine though.
And then the last day arrives and it’s finally time to compete. At that moment you just want to go back to the hotel room, but it’s too late. Locker rooms are full of gorgeous dresses and the tension is so thick in the air, you could slice it and spread it on a bagel, but there’s no better feeling than that rush of the moment. Oh, and I almost forgot: you have to dance. Ah, yes, the famous opening number… don’t forget to smile, look effortless and hit all of your marks at the same time! After that comes your presentation to the judges, and there’s a high possibility that the judges won’t be the same ones that were present at the interview.
“Nahir Robles. 20. Puerto Rico. My nickname? Miss Congeniality. Why? My family always loved the contradiction between the girl with the heels and crown with the old mudstains on my soccer uniform. My platform though, it is pediatric cancer. It is a very important subject to me not only because I want to work in that field, but also because my grandmother was a cancer survivor. My goal is to become a role model, a spokesperson, an activist to all those children who are going through this, and I want them all to know that you don’t have to go through this alone.”Â
When you pick a fun fact, make sure it’s legit… until this day I will always be Gracie Lou Freebush. Also, your platform? Something you’re passionate about. (if it’s a pageant with a purpose, of course). Be eloquent, be sincere.
After this comes fitness wear. It’s exactly what you’d expect, and you just have to be spunky, daring, a confident woman. Evening gown is another different story. You have to show poise, elegance, show them that you’re a queen. Afterwards, they announce the Top 10 and Top 5. It really doesn’t matter if you made it or not because you learn so much throughout the whole process. There are special awards also, such as the famous “Miss Congeniality” to “Best Introduction”.Â
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To my fellow queens, competitors, representatives: this is a wonderful oportunity, always cherish the wonderful memories you’ll make, the great people you’ll meet along the way, and the stories you’re going to be able to tell your children in some years. There’s also nothing better that fills you with more pride than representing your country in a national competition. Anyone who has strong will power and a great mindset can do this. Look at me, I’m just a chemist, on her way to nursing school. Break the stereotype, don’t be afraid.
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Even though I have to hand the Miss Puerto Rico Plus USA crown  to a wonderful new representative in less than 3 months, I don’t want to give it up just yet. To my succesor, whoever you are, I want you to know that this is something you truly have to work hard for. Regardless of whether you’re on the Teen, Miss or Woman category, whatever it is, just remember to embrace the wonderful thing that being a queen is. And to those out there who think this is all smiles and glamour, think twice before judging a pageant girl, because we do what so many others are afraid to do:  take a risk.
This is my final letter to all of you as Nahir Robles, the first-ever Miss Puerto Rico Plus USA, saying goodbye, and that it was an honor representing this amazing “Island of Enchantment”.
Miss Puerto Rico Plus USA Official Snapshot
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