Big is beautiful at Brazil's Miss Plus Size Pageant 01-31-12

Sao Paulo, Brazil (NTN24) - Brazil crowned its plus size beauty queen on Sunday (January 29) night as 26 girls proved good looks can come in different shapes and sizes.

The Miss Brazil Plus Size contest was the first of its kind in the South American country, but organisers said it will become an annual pageant like others.

Contestants came from all over Brazil with weights fluctuating between the minimum entry weight of 80 kilos (175 pounds) and 110 kilos (258 pounds).

The contest's organiser and host, Adalex Gois, said the contest had the same rules as other pageants, but with different beauty standards.

"This is like any regular contest, it is not so different from other pageants. But there is a difference — here we are going to award their real beauty, so there is no such thing as beauty standards established by the fashion (industry), for example, that they have to fit in. They are simply themselves and here we are going to judge them using these criteria. This is basically it," he said.

Participants took the stage with casual wear, evening gowns and even bathing suits. Some showed more skin, while others preferred to hide behind beach wraps.

The crowd cheered wildly while judges carefully graded all participants based on sympathy, grace and good looks.

The winner was 37-year-old Barbara Monteiro from Mato Grosso do Sul state, who also answered to questions about politics along with five other finalists.

She said she was very proud to represent Brazil's plus size women and fight discrimination.

"I feel great pride in representing this plus size category and I want to represent them with a lot of class and a lot of love. These people from the plus size universe are so wonderful," she said

She won a $6,000 dollars and 15-day trip to Switzerland for a free modeling course.

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[Brenda Carvalho]

eu tenho 110 kg, não me acho bonita, se eu pudesse faria cirurgia, não consigo emagrecer com dietas, só com remedios mas depois engordo tudo de novo ...

[ipityyourignorance]

Igottheshaft you are so ignorant, have you ever seen old sculptures or paintings? Thin has only been attractive for about 100 years. "Aesthetics" is not objective, but 100% subjective on your own negative reaction because of your ignorant belief in health. You justify your prejudice saying it is healthy, and you assume it's healthy because it suits your narrow tastes. Not all overweight people are unhealthy, and not all skinny people are healthy.

[Alice Louis]

I am considered clinically obese, yet I have always been active. Am I unhealthy?

[gunslingrr6]

Who cares what Igotheshaft thinks?

[Ian Warner]

If you are fat and insulted by my comments, know that I agree that beauty is more than skin deep. A winning personality is the most important thing, so keep your head up and good luck getting back into shape - it'll feel great.

[Ian Warner]

Obesity is an unhealthy condition, resulting from unhealthy foods and an unhealthy lifestyle - it should not be celebrated. Barring thyroid cancer from environmental toxins, or some such thing, obesity is self imposed. These girls are walking illnesses and do not have beautiful bodies. They will die an early death due to diabetes, cancer or heart disease.

It is an unhealthy culture that celebrates unhealthy characteristics as "beautiful." Even aesthetically, it is unquestionably disgusting.