Interview with Lyndsay Mizen – Miss Voluptuous U.K. 2020 Finalist

Firstly thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions about your pageant journey for my pageant lockdown blog it’s lovely getting to know fellow pageant queens and more about the systems that they represent.

Can you introduce yourself ?

Lyndsay Mizen, 39 (soon to be 40 – 12th June!!), Miss Voluptuous UK 2020 Finalist.

What made you enter pageants?

Initially it was to support my best friend. She entered and it was her first major pageant and she didn’t want to do it alone, so I applied and was amazed to get accepted. I’ve been hooked ever since!

Can you tell us about your journey so far ?

I competed in Miss Voluptuous UK in 2017. My first ever pageant. I loved every second of it; the women were incredible, the chance to raise funds for and promote my platform, the chance to make a difference in my community. It was all amazing. I placed Top 10 in my first ever pageant, which was such a surprise! I didn’t think I’d done that well and to place Top 10 in your first ever pageant is really incredible, so I was over the moon. I intended to compete in 2018 and 2019, but unfortunately my mental health didn’t allow me to. However, I came back to the system I love and helped out with the 2019 Grand Final for Miss Voluptuous as an alumnus. Now, I’m back for 2020 and stronger than ever!

What made you decide to compete in the Miss Voluptuous System ?

Miss Voluptuous is a pageant that promotes body positivity and celebrates the female form, in all shapes and sizes. It is a system that empowers women of plus size to love themselves and their body, but also to go out and be an active member of their community, of society and to make a change to their world. It’s a perfect combination for me.

What the best thing that pageants have taught you ?

To believe in myself a bit more. I am capable of achieving things, that I’m a good person that makes a positive contribution to society and to not be ashamed of who I am.

What’s your pageant platform and why?

My platform is raising awareness for mental health, but more specifically personality disorders. I live with a personality disorder and there is just no information in the public eye about them. They are the least understood mental illness and there’s no cure for them. You can only manage the symptoms by medication and therapy. They’re lifelong conditions because they’re interwoven into your personality. They are a part of who you are. I want to get people to know about them, understand them and remove the stigma of them.

What’s your dream title?

As I’m not a title holder, to become Miss Voluptuous England or UK would be absolutely amazing and such a privilege. But, for me, the absolute pinnacle would be to represent my country internationally and take home an international crown.

If you were to win Miss Voluptuous U.K. or England what would it mean to you?

It would mean the world to me. It would mean that I’ve demonstrated my value as a human in actively making a change to my world and helping people. It would also be a validation of all of the hard work that I’ve poured into this title bid.

What’s the best advice you have for fellow pageant contestants?

You need to be prepared to be successful in a pageant. This means planning your outfits, sourcing sponsors, planning and attending appearances and contacting professional bodies who can help with your platform. Know where you can get publicity from and how to access it. Most importantly, make sure that you know your platform inside and out and be prepared to talk about it at any opportunity.

What have you been doing in the run up to the final of Miss Voluptuous U.K. ?

Covid-19 has kind of put a damper on any physical appearances, so I’ve been trying to make the most of online opportunities for platform awareness and pageant practice. I’ve also been planning for my most cohesive title bid ever. Everything ties in together, colours of outfits, eco wear concept, everything. I’ve also been sending out many more letters requesting sponsorship and networking inside and outside of pageantry to make sure that my campaign can be successful.

What’s your favourite ever appearance?

In November last year I completed a fire walk in aid of Childrens Hospice South West. One of the best things I’ve ever done!

How has the lockdown due to covid-19 affected your pageant journey?

It’s meant that I’ve had to look for new ways to raise awareness, fundraise, network and get my name out there. Not being able to get outside to do things has allowed me to be really creative with the things I need to do to achieve my title.

What makes a good pageant role model?

Someone who has the courage of their conviction and is dedicated to their platform; not just representing it, but living and breathing it. They need to be conscientious, hard working and dedicated. They also need to be inclusive and have integrity in their actions.

What’s your favourite pageant round?

I absolutely love the eco round! It gives me a chance to be creative with the way I present my platform and is a great way to showcase my love for nature and environmental causes.

How do you deal with pageant nerves?

That’s a really difficult question. I think, for me, I just have to go out there and do it. Push through the nerves and just crack on! It also helps to know that everyone else around me is as nervous as me!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions it’s been lovely getting to know and your platform better. I wish you all the best at the final later on in the year. Much love Charlotte, Ms Diamond South Yorkshire 2020.