What motivated you to enter the Miss Canada Plus pageant?
Essentially I was scouted in 2003 while on the bus- a young woman who volunteered with the pageant thought I would make a great contestant. When I realized that I couldn’t balance the pageant and attend University full time, I opted to contact the MCPP after I graduated in 2006.  I thought it would be a good way to challenge myself and my skills as a performer, and would be a positive experience and confidence builder.

Did you feel the applicant’s orientation interview was informative?
I found the orientation to be extremely informative. Not only did I get to meet the organizers right off the bat, and understand their goals and motivation for having the pageant, but I got to see the potential contestants as well, which helped me make my decision to enter. I got to chat with some of the potential contestants, and saw that we all could learn a lot from one another- so I moved forward with my application.

What was most helpful to you at the rehearsal sessions?
I found the full run through of the show to be most helpful. Coming from a performing arts background, I know that a show has many facets and you’ll never really get a taste of how it will flow unless you run all the components together sequentially. Once we had worked on the individual aspects of the show, I found it really came together when we’d run it from beginning to end.
 
What were the most challenging parts of the competition for you?
The most challenging parts of the competition were balancing the rehearsal schedule with a very busy personal schedule, and truly weighing out how much time and dedication I was willing to devote to the pageant- both as a contestant and as a potential Queen. In the end, I realize that there never really is a “right time” for things- you simply MAKE the time.

What was your favourite part of the competition?
My favorite part of the competition ( besides getting to know other like minded women, and forming lasting bonds)  was show night. There is nothing like getting into a dressing room, setting up your station, and working together as a collective to pull off the best show possible. I love the rush of getting ready between acts, running on and offstage and switching characters and outfits completely as you go- there is truly no other feeling like live stage performance.

How did you feel, knowing your friends, family and Sponsor were out in the audience watching your performance?
I felt proud, nervous, excited and confident all at once-because each and every one of them had traveled all that way to come see what I could do. I really had to go out there and give them my all. WHAT A RUSH!

Describe your feelings on being crowned the 2007 Miss Canada Plus.
~ When I was crowned, I was ecstatic. At first, I thought I heard wrong-then I saw (2005 Queen) Cindy Bourassa coming over to crown ME and I just beamed from ear to ear.

Describe your feelings on seeing the media coverage on the show and on your win.
When I saw the media coverage of the Pageant, I was proud. It felt good to be an official advocate for Plus Size Women, and when the media covered the event and realized the importance of this title-and the pageant- I felt I had really achieved something.

Have you made new friends through the Miss Canada Plus Pageant experience?
I have definitely made some irreplaceable friends. In this day and age, it’s often hard for Women to make friends with other Women- especially outside a school environment. Working together with like-minded women, with the common goal of breaking down stereotypes and promoting size acceptance, I found many kindred spirits whom I now count as good friends. I will forever be indebted to the pageant for bringing these strong women into my life.

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to apply & to compete in the MCPP 2008?
I would tell them to search their heart, and discover for themselves if they will truly devote the time and effort to the rehearsals, and ultimately the title of Miss Canada Plus. If they can honestly answer yes to that question, then I would say GO FOR IT. Destiny is not a matter of CHANCE, but a matter of CHOICE.

How has the pageant impacted your life thus far?
The pageant has given me an official title and position to advocate for size acceptance and diversity-and the media awareness required to make my voice heard. The pageant and its legacy have lent to my credibility as a public speaker, and activist, and has afforded me various opportunities to speak out against discrimination-in any form.

What community organization will you volunteer your time and support as Miss Canada Plus 2007-  2008? Explain
I have decided to volunteer my time with Sistering- a women’s drop in centre located at Bloor and Dovercourt. Sistering is a women’s organization which has been supporting homeless, under housed and low-income women in the Toronto community since 1981. They are an organization that offers practical and emotional support through programs which enable women to take greater control over their lives. Guided by the principles of Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression, Sistering works to change social conditions which endanger women’s welfare. I have helped this organization in the past through financial and clothing donations, and realized that volunteering my time would be an invaluable form of support. I believe their mission statement works in tandem with the values of the MCPP, and recalls the theme of the 2007 pageant- Big Sister, Little Sister, for all seasons.

What are your future aspirations in the fashion, beauty and entertainment industry? 
I am currently in the pre-production stage of my solo album, and intend to finish and release it by fall of this year. Going forward, I hope to maintain a presence in the fashion and entertainment industry, and to continue to further my career as a singer, actor, dancer and model.

What did the theme “Big Sister, Little Sister for all Seasons” mean to you?
Personally, the theme “Big Sister, Little Sister for all seasons” emphasized the importance of mentoring, and fostering strong relationships between women of all ages. It brought to light the positive impact we as human beings can have on one another, and the irreplaceable bonds that can be made in reaching out to each other and learning from each other’s experience.

Do you believe that the company name Miss Canada Plus Pageant reflects and describes its purpose?
I believe the name adequately describes the pageant and its purpose. It shows the diversity we promote by using the name “Miss Canada” and shows the size acceptance by reclaiming the often negatively viewed word “Plus Size” and displaying it proudly-both as the title of the organization, and the title of our reigning Queen.