Former Miss Universe 'plus-sized' after gaining 1 kg

Former Miss Universe Paulina Vega has revealed that when she gained 1kg after winning Miss Universe, her agency classed her as ‘plus-sized’.

The model took to her personal blog to share the experience with a New York modelling agency who changed her status after she gained one kilogram in 18 months.

She says she was pulled from catwalk jobs, and put into a new category.

“I was not offended to be told ‘curvy’ or to go to another ‘category’,” she clarified, saying she questioned the agencies definitions as promoting unrealistic standards.

“Under what standards can someone be considered plus size? And who decides those standards?” she queried.

The 2014 winner shared the above snap to show what the agencies definition of ‘plus-sized’ constituted, a worrying reflection on size standards in the industry.

The beauty queen revealed that the experience made her reevaluate, after she had spent time raising social awareness after winning the global beauty competition.

“Going from that state of constant exploration and growth to being again only judged by my appearance seemed ridiculous to me,” she admitted. “I knew I was not in the right place.”

She shared that by realigning herself with agencies that did not require her to ‘maintain absurd measurements’ she was able to continue modelling in a positive environment.

“Thus, I have managed to create a balance in my career that makes me feel full,” she explained.

“I believe that physical beauty cannot be everything, it cannot be the focus of your work, your priority, in everything you think and where you direct all your energy. It is not healthy.”

The model shared an image alongside the post of her beach-side in a one-piece.

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