Lane Bryant

LOVE YOUR BODY
Advocate Chenese Lewis Inspires Women Everywhere

Renaissance woman Chenese Lewis has made it her life’s mission to promote positive body image.  Find out how she’s changing attitudes and lives.

IC:  How did you become the first Miss Plus America?

CL:  I had no idea that beauty pageants for plus-size women existed, so when I ran across the Miss Plus America Pageant website I was so impressed with what I saw, I immediately knew I wanted to be part of it. I had no prior pageant experience, but by believing in myself and competing with confidence I won the title. Being the first woman ever crowned Miss Plus America was an amazing accomplishment and a wonderful experience that I will never forget.

IC: Your platform as Miss Plus America was to promote positive body image.  Tell us how you went about that and if you accomplished your goals.

CL: I made appearances at events such as parades, fashion shows, charity events and numerous media outlets. I also conducted body image workshops and speaking engagements where I had the opportunity to speak to grade schools, women’s organizations, and universities. To this day I continue to promote an empowering message about the importance of self-esteem and a positive body image.  It’s something I’m very passionate about and what started off as a monthly obligation for a pageant title became my platform for life.

IC: What do you do to combat unrealistic body image expectations promoted by the media?

CL: On the elementary thru high school level I conduct interactive workshops that help kids understand the importance of self-esteem and self-confidence.  I explain that the body types they aspire to aren’t realistic and that models don’t really look like what they see in those re-touched photos.  On the university level, I speak to the influence of the media and eating disorders.

IC:  You appeared on Dr. Phil as an expert on self-esteem. Can you give us a follow-up on the guest you tried to help break away from a verbally abusive boyfriend?

CL:  I was on a Dr. Phil show entitled, Overweight and Forgotten.  I helped a guest who aspired to be involved with plus-size modeling and pageantry. Her boyfriend was verbally abusive and I tried to give her a positive influence and explain that she should surround herself with positive people and continue to pursue her dreams regardless of her size. She ended up leaving the boyfriend and for the past two years has modeled in a real-size women fashion show that I produce.

IC:  It must make you feel very good to have inspired someone to make such a significant change in her life.  When is your real-size women fashion show held?

CL:  The show is held during Love Your Body Day, which was started in 1998 by the National Organization of Women.  It is an event that deals head-on with images and representations of women that are offensive, disrespectful and unhealthy. I am the Love Your Body Chairperson for the Hollywood NOW chapter and I created a event for my local chapter. For the past three years I’ve produced a festival-of-sorts that is an empowerment event that has entertainment, vendors and the fashion show. 

IC: Lane Bryant is outfitting you for your walk down the runway at the Celebrity Catwalk (www.celebritycatwalk.com).  How did your fitting go with the new Lane Bryant fashion?

CL: This is my second year participating in the celebrity fashion show and modeling Lane Bryant clothing. The fitting went extremely well and the atmosphere was upbeat! We will be showcasing the new upscale styles for the season and for a great cause! The jeans I will be modeling fit my body perfectly, and I can’t wait to strut my stuff! Everything had a really contemporary feel, and I always look like a voluptuous diva in my Lane Bryant outfits! 

Learn more about Chenese and her quest for promoting positive body image, visit:
cheneselewis.com.