Gowns swished, tiaras sparkled and satin sashes shimmered under the stage lights, but still the pageant was unlike any other.
For Christchurch mum-of-two Natasha Hutchinson – who weighs 120kg and wears size 22 clothing – it was her moment to shine and a chance to show her daughters that beauty takes many forms.
The insurance consultant, nicknamed Tarsh, stumbled across the Face of the Globe beauty pageant 11 months earlier. This international contest has no age or size restrictions and no swimsuit round – physical appearance isn’t the focus.
After making sure the contest wasn’t a scam, Tarsh sent off her entry and, after an agonising 10-day wait, an email arrived in her inbox. She’d been chosen as a grand finalist from more than 6500 international entries. “It was 1am and I woke my husband straight away,” laughs the bubbly blonde. “I was over the moon!”
The 35-year-old mother to girls Payton, five, and Quinn, three, has always wanted to be a plus-size role model. “Not just for me, but for my kids,” explains Tarsh. “I want them to know that you can do whatever you want to if you put your mind to it.”
With 11 months to prepare for the pageant, which is held both in London and Disneyland Paris, Tarsh’s first hurdle was saving the $8000 she needed for travel expenses and the Disney princess-themed gowns all competitors must wear.
While her loved ones were more than supportive of her fundraising, internet trolls tried to put a damper on Tarsh’s dreams. She tells, “They were saying, ‘Oh, you can’t be a role model – you’re fat and obese.’ But they don’t know me. They don’t know that I’m slogging my butt off at the gym and eating healthily.
“I did take some of the negative comments to heart. I had to step back and think, ‘My friends and family are the ones who know me. I’m not about to diminish my light.’”
Mum and her girls Payton (left) and Quinn.
Tarsh has always been on the larger side, but it’s not because she hasn’t lived an active life. The Canterbury woman has tried her hand at BMX racing and soccer, and is now a roller-derby skater.
Around 10 years ago, Tarsh was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that sped up her weight gain. She admits her confidence was knocked following the diagnosis, but her husband Kevin, 37, has helped her come to terms with her size.
“I’ve grown up in a world where a lot of people think being skinny is healthy and that if you’re big, you’re not healthy,” she says. “But when I met my husband, he said my body had expanded to fit my personality. He told me, ‘Rock your body and wear clothes that make you feel sexy.’ I’ve come to the realisation that I’ve got to be comfortable in my own skin.”
To get fit for the pageant, Natasha hit the gym and took up roller-derby skating.
When Tarsh finally arrived at the Face of the Globe pageant in April ready to represent New Zealand, she was greeted with an itinerary packed with fun Disney-themed outings, rehearsals, fitness camps, photo calls and interviews, all culminating in a grand final. That was the night on which the contestants would introduce themselves to an audience and model two different dresses on stage, before hopefully being crowned its winner.
On the last day, while many of her fellow competitors were enjoying the rides at Disneyland and taking photos with their favourite cartoon characters, Tarsh found herself running around half-dressed.
“I was trying to find somebody in the hotel to do up my gown!” she laughs. “I had chosen lace-up dresses and I had to get the other contestants or their mums to help me between changes.”
Natasha was so inspired by her experience that she’s now introducing her five-year-old daughter to the pageant world.
Unfortunately, Tarsh didn’t take out the ultimate prize, but she came second-equal for the title of Miss Congeniality, a gong for friendliness and compassion voted for by the other contestants.
Now her preparation starts all over again as she and daughter Payton have both been accepted to compete next year, under the proviso they can find the funds to travel to Europe together.
“I was very nervous going into it,” confesses Tarsh. “I put myself out there to be judged, but once I got over there, the feedback was so positive. The other contestants were saying, ‘You’re beautiful inside and out.’ It has meant a lot. To do it again with my daughter would be amazing!”
