Miss England 2008
The first teenage beauty queen to break the patterns by becoming the first size 16 queen is Chloe Marshall. She made it to the finals of the Miss England beauty contest.
She’s 17 and she’s proud of her size 16. Chloe won the Miss Surrey title and now she’s ready for Miss England finals. She revealed her shapely body in a photoshoot and she’s confident that people are going to love her in July.
Chloe is not anorexic nor uber fat but she knows she’s got what it takes to win that beauty contest.
“It’s what I was born to do – posing for the camera. And as I keep saying, I love my body. People seem desperate to get me to say that I don’t, that deep down I’m not happy and would rather be thin, but the fact is I wouldn’t change myself at all. Do I have fat days? Of course, but what woman doesn’t! [...] I’m a size 16, I eat well, I exercise regularly – I jog, swim, and work out with weights. What I am promoting is a healthy girl who looks after herself and doesn’t try to force her body to be something its not. [...] Everybody thinks you have to be a tall, slim blonde and I’m a curvy brunette. I want to show it is possible to be beautiful and not a standard size zero.” – DailyMail
Chloe is from Guildford, signed up with Models Plus agency, weighs 12st 8lb, is 5ft 10 tall and has a 38 DD bust (many women would want a bust like that but on a slim body).
I can’t shut up! I think she’s big for her age! She shouldn’t promote the idea “I’m fat and I’m gorgeous”. Obesity is a serious matter and obese people should know that and try to lose weight.
If she’s this big at 17, how is she going to look at 25? People, being fat is not gorgeous! It’s risky! It’s not great being anorexic either. We should cherish our bodies and try to find a balance in what we eat and how much we exercise.
I wish Chloe all the best in the world but if I were her, I would definitely try to lose some weight!
I have spent four months in hospital because of anorexia nervosa less than a year ago, so I definitely had and still have my fair share of body image issues and trying to get my body to be something it’s not. I can only disagree disagree with your statement calling Chloe “fat” and saying that it would be healthier for her to lose some weight.
When looking at Chloe, I really do see a healthy young woman. Overweight in the classical sense? Maybe. But for her body type, it simply looks right. She does not look fat to me at all. She exercises, she eats healthily, and she’s happy, she’s obviously not suffering from diseases extremely fat (as well as extremely underweight!) people suffer from.
Honestly, I have terrible issues with wanting to be thinner and thinner, but if I could get rid off the terrible image I have of my own body and considering myself way too “fat” all the time in exchange for gaining some weight, ie get a body like Chloe’s, I totally would. Kudos to her for being able to say that she loves the way she looks. From personal experience, I can only say “Being skinny isn’t really worth it”. Other people might say you have “the” body, but you, yourself, spend all day obsessing over body size and food and calories and fat and trying to keep yourself from fainting rather than just enjoying life like Chloe does.
I certainly do not promote being overweight in an unhealthy manner, but fact is, you can’t tell somebody’s health by looking at their body size. So telling a person like Chloe that she would be healthier if she lost some weight is a blatant lie. Especially since health isn’t all about what your blood counts and other such stats say, but also about how you feel!
You wrote that we should aim to find a balance and I really think that Chloe has achieved this. She found her personal balance, it might be different from yours or from what you want it to be, but she’s healthy and that’s all that matters.
Chloe, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Dear Christina,
I’m sorry to hear about your anorexia problem. The thing I was trying to point out is the fact that people care to much about image. Women are simply obsessed with having the perfect body, the slimmest silhouette. I find this stupid. As a teen I was obsessed about my body, I was skinny and always wanted to gain some weight. But a few years ago, after I got over puberty (and gained some weight & life experience) I realized that being perfect is just a stupid image created by magazines. It’s about feeling great about yourself and being healthy in the same time.
I have a few friends who look “healthier” than Chloe and they think they look great although they suffer from heart condition, kidney issues and other medical problems.
People should care about their health not about being the skinniest or the “healthiest”.
I’m pretty appalled by your take on this. She’s not unhealthily large, she already has told you that she has a good diet and exercises, and people can be like that naturally without being in line for health problems. And she’s certainly FAR from obese. We have enough people saying “Fat isn’t gorgeous” and only a tiny faction of people saying “This is me and I am happy.” Even if you don’t like how she looks naked you should at least admire her self-satisfaction and her determination and her comfort and her confidence.
Very nice! She looks like a ton of fun. I’d do her all weekend.
She is beautiful and the epitome of Femininity. She looks like an Earth goddess. Those curves make her look like a woman and not a gay mans twink fantasy
I don’t understand why you feel that “she shouldn’t promote the idea ‘I’m fat and I’m gorgeous’”. According to the article, she is an active and healthy individual who eats well and works out regularly. Why should she feel bad about herself simply because her genetics go against today’s ideal stick thin woman? Yes, there are health risks associated with being overweight, but even the healthiest individuals face can extreme health concerns (Lance Armstrong, anyone?) Chloe’s health should be between her and her doctor and we should all recognize the beautiful woman that she is, regardless of her size.
Right on, anonymous #6!
I couldn’t have said better myself.
There is no universal standard for health. Kudos to her for doing her part to break that ridiculous stick standard.
Being a size 16 doesn’t automatically make her unhealthy. Also, being a size 16 at the age of seventeen does not mean she will be bigger at 25, as you have hypothesized. It sounds like you’ve bought everything you have been fed about curvier bodies, and what being a size 16 means to health.
A size 16 is just off the average woman’s clothing size of 14. Chloe is a very realistic and beautiful representation for the average woman. I hadn’t heard of Chloe until this page was sent to me. I find it sad that instead of being introduced as a confident and beautiful girl who represents more woman than a size six would, she is now the poster girl for your own narrow view of beauty.
I posted an article along with my two cents about your take on Chloe. It’s about how curvier women and smarter, and give birth to smarter children.
She’s stunning. Good for her for proving that you don’t have to be skinny to be healthy and beautiful. I wish her good luck.
This young woman has a BMI of 25.2 (if I’ve done my maths right), just over the healthy target of 20-25. She is not fat or obese and, in fact, just qualifies for overweight. She does not “need” to loose weight. “Healthy” has nothing to do with the fashion industry’s ideal body type. Fashion models job is to sell clothes but they have BMIs as low as 16 and that does not equate with healthy. You could argue Chloe is promoting a much healthier body weight (and image) than the likes of Lily Cole, some of whom would qualify for food aid if they lived in the 3rd world.
If she was a couple of pounds lighter people would still be commenting on how curvy and “big” she is and she wouldn’t even be overweight!
I think that Chloe is a beautiful lady. I am 5′11 and around 180lbs. I have no health issues and I have a healthy diet and I stay active. I think that what she is doing is showing other curvy young women that having a little extra meat on your bones is nothing to be ashamed of. I used to hate my body and I put it through hell by doing extreme things to lose weight. She has inspired me to love my body!
I agree with you, she is way too huge for her age. This is NOT a healthy body. There is absolutely no tone to her. It’s just meat hanging. Her breasts are already sagging…at 16!
She is overweight – and being overweight is NOT healthy. Neither is being underweight, but lets not get carried away.
Point is: she has a cute face, but she is definitely NOT a healthy size. She’s big, she is not toned, and I really don’t think she exercises (if she did, she wouldn’t have that disturbing stomach) this is just a publicity stunt to get people to watch the final contest featuring a whale among mermaids.
You’re a moron if you think this girl is obese. She is a healthy girl and your comments are nothing but disgusting. Your blog has shown the world how shallow and moronic you truly are. TTYN
Hi, she is not a overweight girl she is perfect for miss england and i wish for her.
Lorette, people like you are the reason 13 year olds are found hanging from their bedroom ceilings. And you say Chloe is disgusting.
Oh and, I’m sorry you have small breasts but please, don’t take it out on the rest of us. I’m a beautifully curvy size 12-14 with 32 G boobs and I love my body, so does my boyfriend and I’m sure yours would too, which, let’s face it, is the reason you don’t like us.
As an actually obese person let me tell you. Chloe is amazing and beautiful. We get enough people saying our confidence should be based on having a small waist. Really with the attitude presented here I am certain no one can say that being “skinny” equals having a worthwhile outlook on things. Its an amazing and good thing that a teenager in this day and age can actually be happy with the way they look! Putting her down so publicly is in no way attractive. I really dont feel that the person writing this is fit to judge.
MISS ENGLAND WINNER 2008
Laura Coleman has been making headlines everywhere…albeit for reasons not related to her title. The concept behind the Miss England beauty award, as well as all other beauty pageants, is to promote things such as charity work and effectively be an ambassador for England. Someone to shine out England’s beacon of truth, regarding the real issues in today’s society…while also having rather lovely physical attributes. This way, the issues really concerning society, and the world today, are actually listened too and reported about. It appears to me to be an effective and successful means of attracting the attention of both tabloid and broadsheet press, whilst concentrating on important world issues. Undoubtedly, photo shoots and catwalks come as part of the package…and it is undoubtedly these incentives that bring in the beauties. Unfortunately for England, its ambassador, appears to have forgotten what her role really entails.
Taking a look back at Laura’s “career” from the very beginning.; At 15 years old, Laura entered the modelling world after being signed with one agency in London. Unfortunately, through her own admission, she was rejected by several modelling agencies after being asked to lose weight. With a sensible head on her shoulders, Laura carried on with studies and it appears she never modelled again. Following in the footsteps of both her Mother and her Grandmother, Laura took it upon herself to enter Miss Leicestershire, which she went on to win and therefore automatically was entered into Miss England. Being placed 4th, she returned to her studies and gained a degree in Business and marketing. Brains and Beauty! This makes for a perfect ambassador for our country in Miss England! So, after winning Miss Derby in her last year of University, Laura went on to Miss England. Here, she successfully managed to use her unfortunate experiences in the modelling industry to win public votes, and after being crowned Miss England, stated she “Would much rather be a beauty queen than a model any day” Being sensible, Beautiful, and Intelligent it is little wonder Laura was chosen to represent our country to the world.
However, shortly after winning the title, it seems Laura’s initial hostilities towards the fashion industry were forgotten. Regularly appearing in photo shoots for papers such as The Sun, The Daily Star and The Mirror, (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/60561/Miss-England-told-she-is-too-chunky/ http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2008/12/13/video-miss-england-laura-coleman-talks-to-mirror-co-uk-115875-20967512/ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1803132.ece)
Laura has been accused of a being hypocrite. It has been said that it is not only “what we see, but what we hear” that also implies this: shortly after winning the title, Laura was quoted as saying she “Hopes her new title will help her modelling career” When critiques look back at Laura’s “modelling career” that she speaks of on both Radio Derby and to The Mirror, they have struggled to find evidence of this so called modelling career. The public was under the impression that after starting at 15, and being cruelly told her figure was not up to model standard, she left it all behind to concentrate on her studies? This was one of lauras main arguments in her campaign for votes during the Miss England competition. Furthermore, critiques have questioned why someone who appeared to be so against the industry from such young age would ever want help making a name for herself in it again. More recently, Laura has been hitting our headlines due to model agencies saying she is “too chunky.”
Although the modelling industry has been critised heavily in the press for this, Critiques have again questioned why Laura took it upon herself to attempt to re-enter the industry. Whatever the reason, some have found it incredibly hypocritical of Laura for even entertaining the idea of modelling again after the comments she made to all that voted for her.
As part of the prizes presented to the new Miss England, Laura was given a television presenting course: something she asked them for. However, Laura seems to have let her brains with her degree. It has been reported that she now wants to enter the world of singing and show of her talents at this years x-factor.( http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2008/12/13/video-miss-england-laura-coleman-talks-to-mirror-co-uk-115875-20967512/ )
Critiques have said that Laura has done very little, if any, charity work, and some voters feel incredibly let down by this years England’s beauty queen. Not only has she effectively lied to win her country over, but she has been accused of ignoring all the responsibilities that come with such a prestigious title. Any opportunity regarding fame and money that has come Laura’s way, she has taken with both hands and embraced thoroughly. All opportunities she has had to talk about charity, and the real important issues life has to offer, Laura has been accused of wasting. When the Sun quiz her about her up-coming x-factor moment, or when The Daily Star want to hear more about her rejection from top model agencies, instead of being a true ambassador and seizing opportunities to talk to the media about famine, war, or unhealthy eating disorders, Laura has been quoted as only talking about herself, and her own dreams. “Disappointed,” is how some supporters of the beauty pageant feel about Miss England. Supporters of the competition have been quoted as saying they can only hope that next year’s beauty queen will truly have more brains than beauty.
[...] Rosemary Pope, weighing less than 5 stone. Hayley Wilde defeated anorexia. At least one saved life. Chloe Marshall, the first size 16 model participated at the Miss England beauty [...]
I bet her bellybutton stinks.
This article is awful. Why write something like this? Being obese is one thing, but that isn’t necessarily fat. That she is not. She feels happy with herself, and has a high self esteem…and people want to crush that? REally? don’t we have enough of that already?
I think she is gorgeous and is a fantastic healthy role model to girls and women everywhere. Most men prefer woman with curves.. not stupidly thin people that are obsessed with what they eat !
wow, she’s abobsolulty gorg! she breaks the mould, why should we suffer, live in a world without rules! beautys just a state of mind, and you gotta be crazy to think size zero beautiful! she’s a great role model and i deffinatly look up to her!
I think all this rubbish about her being ‘fat’ is quite ridiculous.
The Uk average size is 16, errr therefore she is average, shes tall so she’s not neccessarily OBESE, shes most likely to be normal for her height. And all the malicious comments about her body are really pathetic.
I really admire the confidence she has to do this competition even when she is probably aware that there would be some nasty things said about her. Confidence is one that makes her beautiful. And lets be honest, she has amazing boobs (and you are a moron to whoever said they were saggy jesus) and a really pretty face.
I’m all for her. She doesn’t do your typical page 3 stance like a lot of girls.
[...] Chloe Marshall, the girl who dreamed about winning the Miss England contest? It seems that another girl, this time [...]
eeeewwww she seriusly won miss england?! erm shes not only obese, shes got folds and roles and i fink i saw abit of cellulite lmaao. and shes nt pretty seriusly wt ws they finkin. bein anorexic is 1 fing bt at least its a little more attractive than being obese. obesity is basicly slobs who cant b arsd to exersise and just eat constantly. i dont fink its rite for chloe to hve won a reward just for being greedy and fat. they ws just trying to make the media happy.
Oh she is something!
Easy way to lose a lot of fat