Lynnwood woman to compete in plus-sized pageant
Published 7:05 pm Tuesday, January 24, 2012
LYNNWOOD — Karly Williams, 45, is competing as Ms. Lynnwood in the inaugural year of the Washington Plus America Pageant, to be held Feb. 17-20 in Everett. The state event is the preliminary to the national pageant in Memphis, Tenn., this June.
The Lynnwood resident is a single mom of two grown children plus a “bonus” daughter Williams has mentored for five years.
“The universe decided I had to help someone,” Williams said.
The self-described introvert has honed the skills of an extrovert through her self-employment. She owns a makeup studio, Klassy Cosmetics, in Lynnwood.
Now the successful businesswoman is looking to inspire girls through the telling of her 13-year fight with bulimia. The eating disorder causes a person to binge on food then induce vomiting or abuse laxatives to prevent weight gain.
“I want to talk to girls about body image,” she said. “Without the Ms. Lynnwood crown that wouldn’t be open to me.”
The 5-foot-9 Williams is a size 18; even at the depths of her bulimia she was a size 14. She began binge eating and purging in high school. When she stopped that cycle, after two pregnancies, she gained 100 pounds and wore a size 24.
“At my thinnest I would cry thinking I looked fat,” she said. “I thought I looked awful and never accepted myself.”
She recalled ordering a birthday cake just to eat the frosting, sitting in the car while still in the parking lot.
“I want to empower girls and use my sash and crown as a beacon to shed the darkness of insecurity,” Williams said. “I signed up for the pageant to help me open doors. If I can reach one girl and help her to not make the choices I made, it will all be worth it.”
Williams has already started reaching out to schools, hoping to reach preteen girls with her story about how she overcame body image issues.
Talent and preliminary competitions for the Washington Plus America Pageant will be held Feb. 18-19 for the 30 contestants. The crowning finale is Feb. 20 at the Everett Performing Arts Center. Four winners will receive cash prizes and wardrobes.
Preparing for the events, Williams is planning to do a little shopping, get her hair touched up and nails done and practice walking. “I haven’t been in heels for 10 years,” she said.
Contestant qualifications in the Miss, Mrs. and Ms. divisions include being a women’s size 14 or greater. Miss contestants are 18 to 29 years old; Mrs. are 20 and up; Ms. are 30 and up.
They will be judged on their interviewing skills and poise in evening gown and casual wear.
The state pageant director, Latasha Raines, champions the volunteerism and community involvement of the candidates.
Raines is quick to point out that the pageant does not glorify or support unhealthy lifestyles. Instead it represents the 60 percent of American women who are a size 12 and up. The mission is to provide opportunities for women “as is” and encourages leadership and volunteerism.
Washington Plus America Pageant
Red Carpet Party: 7 p.m. Feb. 17, Holiday Inn, 3105 Pine St., in downtown Everett
Finale: 5 p.m. Feb. 20, Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave.
More info: www.waplusamerica.com
