Curvalicious Canada Wants Curvy Canadian Woman:
My Interview With Tracey Crosson
The Curvalicious Canada team is heading out on the road Sept. 22, 2016 to find 12 curvy Canadian women to strut their stuff in the 2016 Diva Calendar. I had the chance to talk with Tracey Crosson, the founder of Curvalicious Canada. It seems like now more than ever, body confidence and body shaming are making headlines. With the first plus-size model, Ashley Graham, showing off her curves on the cover of Sports Illustrated, body confidence is the centre of attention in 2016. Touring Canada, Tracey and her team are searching for 12 gorgeous, smart and bold curvy-sized women. They’re not looking for professional models, so don’t worry if you don’t have any experience. Curvalicious Canada is looking for real women who love and embrace their curves. Here is what Tracey had to say about starting Curvalicious Canada, her own personal journey and advice to women who are struggling with their body image.
Q: Why did you start Curvalicious Canada and what inspired you to want to impact the lives of plus-sized women?
A: It started when I noticed a lot of men and women in the past, settled in their life. I for one am guilty of that. I was in a relationship that was mentally and emotionally abusive; I stayed in that toxic relationship for 17 years. I finally decided to leave him and since then I have learned to love myself and love my curves. Nobody is stopping me from doing what I want to do and I just think too many people that are plus-sized are settling on a man or a woman because they think they can’t get any better. They get treated like crap and they tolerate it and they shouldn’t. I think with that being said, it needs to be women and men taking their bodies, minds and souls seriously.
Q: Why do you think Curvalicious Canada is so important?
A: This is important because our slogan is: “love and respect your curves”, this is what we need to do in the community again. It needs to be done and we all need to come together as a community to change the stigmas around plus-sized individuals.
Q: What would you like others to take away from the 2016 Diva Calendar?
A: I just want women to realize that just to apply takes courage and to sit there and have an interview takes more courage, go into the semi finals takes even more courage. Each and every time they do it, it gives them more self-confidence and that’s the whole thing about my event. It’s about self-confidence and self-love.
Q: Do you see the landscape of body image changing and being challenged in 2016?
A: Every day the movement is changing. One day there’s happy things like community vendors and the next day there are fat shaming stories in the news. For example, the Playboy bunny, Dani Mathers, posted a picture of a woman showering naked and posted it all over Snapchat. It was unnecessary, it was a bigger woman about a size 14/16 and she was fat shaming her. Now, the Los Angeles police are looking to see if there can be charges laid, or even possible jail time for the Playboy bunny. These are the things that need to stop. Fat shaming people on social media is not ok, it needs to stop.
Q: What is your vision for Curvalicious Canada in five years? Would you like to take the company outside of Canada? What about a National Diva Calendar?
A: Where do I see Curvalicious in five years, well I can say that we have been asked to do Curvalicious U.S.A. and a possible Curvalicious world. So, we’ll have to wait and see what happens in five years because I have been asked on a daily basis to go to the United States and see what it would be and what we could do. I want to be a judge, so there is a lot of interest. A lot of people said it’s unfair that it’s only for people in Canada but I just want to try Canada first to see what the response is, then after that it will be on to Curvalicious North America.
Q: Lastly, what would you like to tell those women out there who are struggling with body image?
A: I think at one time or another we all struggle with body image, but with a bigger woman we always have to deal with teasing, bullying and fat shaming. Remember my other line that I say often is: “when people bully us it makes them feel better but technically it’s ignorance on their part so just remember that.” We can always lose the weight but they will never ever lose their ignorance.
If you’re 19+ and a size eight or more, than Curvalicious Canada is looking for you. To register go to www.curvaliciouscanada.com and fill out an application form for $32. If you love your curves, then show Canada what you are made of. Curvy women represent more than just body confidence; it is about strength, happiness and health. Curvalicious Canada will also be featuring 50 women in a documentary series showcasing their lives, the highs and the lows. Learn about the prizes, selection process and tour dates at the Curvalicious Canada website!
