- 15 delegates from around the world stepped into the spotlight to promote body positivity, challenge size stereotypes and empower women everywhere of all shapes and sizes
- Miss Philippines Jodel Padao Mesina crowned Miss Top of the World Plus Size 2017, with Miss Singapore Priscilla Boh coming in a close second to take home first runner up
SINGAPORE, 13 November 2017 – Singapore’s first international plus size pageant Miss Top of the World Plus Size 2017 reached a spectacular conclusion at its grand finale on Sunday, as a new beauty queen was crowned. Over an intense five-day competition, 15 delegates from all around the world – including India, Ukraine, Thailand, Myanmar and Belarus, came together to challenge size stereotypes and champion body positivity.
Instead of being assessed by conventional beauty standards, contestants went through a multi-faceted judging process designed to bring out their poise, intelligence and talents. Pageant activities comprised of personal profile interviews, a national costume showcase, a series of photoshoots, as well as a talent show.
It was a close call between the contestants, as all 15 ladies were distinguished and inspiring personalities with remarkable talent to boot. After much deliberation, the judges finally reached the decision to crown Miss Philippines Jodel Padao Mesina as the winner of Miss Top of the World Plus Size 2017.
Ms Mesina, whose national costume was made using rattan, impressed judges with the tremendous effort that she had put into the competition, as well as her generous personality. “I joined this competition because I wanted to empower, inspire and motivate all plus size women in this world to never stop pursuing their dream and to make it come true,” said Ms Mesina. “This process has been so amazing, and I truly learned a lot from the whole experience.”
Miss Singapore, celebrity makeup artist Priscilla Boh, also captivated the judges with her friendly charm and eventually won the place of first runner up. “Body positivity is a journey that I’ve been on for 10 years. Personally, I’ve struggled through several ups and downs, so I am extremely humbled by this opportunity to stand here as an advocate for body positivity and to challenge our conventional stereotypes of beauty.”
Miss Top of the World Plus Size 2017 was helmed and organised by Singapore’s first plus size beauty queen, Ms. Fiona Tan. Winner of Miss Top of the World Plus Size 2016 and Miss Plus Size of the World 2016. She is also the first and only Asian and Singaporean woman to win two global beauty pageants.
“Our goal is to empower women everywhere, and I feel that we really achieved that in this pageant. Our audience was full of enthusiastic supporters beyond plus size girls,” said Fiona. “My message of confidence is not just for plus size girls, but for everyone: Every woman out there is beautiful, and you should be confident, regardless of your size or number.”
Miss/ Mrs Top of the World (Miss TOTW) is an international beauty pageant based in Latvia, in its 7th year running and in its 2nd year running for the same title in Plus Size (Miss TOTW PS), launched in 2010 by founder Kristine Lindenblate. Held annually to inspire and empower women across the world of all shapes and sizes, the pageant aims to provide a platform for beautiful, intelligent and talented ladies who have braved the odds of body shaming and have the courage to celebrate their bodies. The grand finale of Miss TOTW PS 2016 was held in Cristal Club Lounge, Latvia with 10 global finalists and over 200 supporters in attendance where they crowned the winner of Miss TOTW PS 2016, Fiona Tan, the first Singaporean plus size pageant queen.
