Emma Loney represented Wisconsin at the finale of Miss Earth USA 2021 on 17th January 2021 in Florida and was placed at the Top 12 at the end of the event finale. Even though Emma failed to secure a high position at the finale event but was appreciated for breaking all beauty standards on-stage as she showcased that beauty, in general, is not just confined to slim bodies and she is a plus-size model.
Miss Universe Australia 2020 Maria Thattil is also known for breaking societal expectations from a beauty queen. She is using her platform to champion inclusion, equality, and empowerment and hosts an empowered series on her social media page; ‘Mind with Me’ where she takes up hard-hitting topics and breaks them down to make people understand how the evolvement of women is the need of the hour and how they shouldn’t be confined to the already set notions. She is committed to making a space for herself by being unapologetically her authentic self.
Maria was very excited to have a conversation with Emma and before the divas started to have a hard-hitting conversation about creating a space in the beauty pageant world being a plus-size model; Maria appreciated Emma for being an empowered woman who created a space where for years people said that ‘you don’t belong here’. The divas explaining that even though they both come from different stories and challenges, they connect with each other because of their values and ideologies which is the underrepresentation of women at beauty pageants.
Emma shared that when she received a letter in the mail inviting her to join pageantry, she was thrilled to participate but when she went to the location, she realized that she was different from the girls present there which made her feel like she needs to change herself in order to be successful. The diva continued by mentioning that she started to lose weight in not the healthiest way and went back to competing at pageants at which she was not successful because she was not being true to herself, and was not happy.
The diva further explained that it took her some time to understand that if she must keep going further in the beauty pageant world, she must accept herself as she is and embrace herself in order to show the women that one can love and embrace themselves regardless of their size. Emma added that her sister was losing weight, getting compliments, and was expecting to be the healthiest but she was diagnosed weight eating disorder and was in the hospital for four months and almost died and going through such experience helped her to push herself towards showcasing people on how to love one’s body and accept it how it is.
Maria shared her experience by mentioning that when she decided to take up pageantry, people questioned her career choice which made her think about the fact that why are people still looking down upon people? Both the divas agree that people now must accept that divas can do both beauty pageants and have some other career as well because that’s what their heart says and they must stay true to themselves. Maria gave an example where she mentioned that a doctor who posts a picture of herself in a bikini gets comments like it comprises their profession but being able to wear a bikini in their given body has nothing to do with the skills and ability they have.
The divas continued to talk about their inclusion in society and how one must understand the importance of creating space. Emma shared that pageantry has helped her refine her ideas and more precise on coming out as she wants to and added her future after pageantry. The two discussed the struggle of constantly striving to be someone else because society expects you to be and why the representation of true divas is important. The divas sounded confident and determined to put their thought out for the fans to know how they feel. You can watch their powerful and impactful live here.