Local takes Miss Voluptuous America title
Amanda Sweet never really thought of herself as the sort of person who would participate in a beauty pageant.
The 32-year-old Warren resident is dedicated to community service and helping others realize their dreams. She was surfing the Internet one night, looking for opportunities to help women network with each other and she came across the Miss Voluptuous America pageant.
“This was at the end of January and the deadline to submit applications was Feb. 1,” said Sweet. “I had never been in a beauty pageant before but I have certainly filled out applications the day before they were due so I figured why not. To enter you had to be bigger than a size 10, which I am.”
Sweet was shocked to be invited to compete in the Miss Voluptuous pageant in Nashville, Tenn. last month. She was named the first-ever Miss Voluptuous America and also won pageant competitions for on-screen commercial and runway modeling. Although Sweet’s grace and beauty were recognized,
it was her commitment to volunteering and community service that most impressed the judges.
“I realize I’ve been partying with a purpose for my whole life,” said Sweet. “I love to host events and create parties that have service elements.”
Recently, Sweet hosted a clothing swap event to give women the opportunity to exchange items of clothing. Any items that were
not taken were donated to various charities. She had a plus-size clothing workshop where clothing and toiletry items and coupons were donated to homeless teens.
“I think of myself as a creative fairy godmother; I just wave my wand and make stuff happen,” said Sweet. “We are a month out from when I won the Miss Voluptuous America title and it has already pulled me toward a brighter and brighter future for myself and everyone that I advocate for. I feel like this crown is the key to being able to connect with people and help them.
“We can absolutely change the world.”
Sweet is set to host another clothing swap event on June 11 in coordination with Michigan Fashion Week and is also scheduled to appear at Michigan Filipino Unity Day, May 21 at the Warren Civic Center. Sweet’s mother is Filipino and her father is Jewish.
“I am kind of an odd mix of cultures and I want to be an advocate for people of all cultures and all body types,” said Sweet. “We are constantly seeing images of people presenting their best self, but all of us are dealing with body changes like going through puberty or menopause or any of the other normal changes that happen. I want to be a role model to show people they can do what makes them feel good and what makes them happy.”
The Miss Voluptuous pageants started in the United Kingdom in 2016, then branched out to Australia. This marks the first time a Miss Voluptuous competition was held in the United States.