A beauty pageant finalist says she is aiming to break the 'perfect model' stigma after proudly displaying her stretch marks on the catwalk to promote body positivity. Brogan O'Neil, 19, wanted to show off her blemishes and imperfections to highlight the lack of plus-sized models represented in the modelling and pageant industry.
The 5ft 4ins, size 12 beauty believes stretch marks, excess body fat, scars, psoriasis, skin pigment and acne should all be normalised as a way to empower women. The care worker revealed she also suffered her own struggles with psoriasis at school which has left her with scars on her face, arms and legs.
So she started taking part in pageants last year in a bid to show people that everyone can be models and be beautiful regardless of their size or skin conditions. And Brogan was left delighted when she reached the final of Supermodel England representing Yarm, in North Yorkshire, which was held last Friday (November 4).
Brogan, who is studying health and social care at college and wants to become a paramedic, said: "I just wanted to break the stigma of the 'perfect model'. That stereotype still exists so I started to encourage women that no matter who you are or where you're from - anyone can achieve their dreams.
"I first started modelling for various companies a couple of years ago and I noticed that plus-sized models were under-represented. One of the companies I was working for had an owner who did pageants and I thought that would be good way to get into raising awareness of this issue.
"Even in pageants I noticed they usually only go up to a size 10 and I just think we need to be celebrating women of every shape and size. So I applied for Supermodel England and came first in the North Yorkshire heat, which automatically qualified me for the final.
"I was aiming to show everyone you don’t need to be a certain shape, size or figure to compete in the pageanting world. I’m only 5ft 4ins tall and a size 10/12, so I wanted to express how the modelling community is changing to keep up with modern day demand.
"There is a stigma we still see everywhere that you have to be perfect and thin - whether it be on social media or in advertising. It can impact relationships, affect body-confidence and even how you feel dressing up for a night out.
"I’m trying to break the stigma and show that it’s OK not to be 'the typical model' and continue changing to keep up with modern day society. At school I had psoriasis which I struggled with quite badly. I have scars on my face, arms and legs from it now.
"So that was another thing I wanted to show shouldn't be an issue. I wasn't bullied for it, but people were certainly aware of it and self-conscious around me, thinking it might be contagious or something.
"All of these things have inspired me to campaign about these things - stretch marks, scars, excess body fat and acne are all OK and completely normal. I wouldn't say body confidence is promoted a lot in all aspects of modelling so it's important things like this are normalised so people viewing it can feel like they can relate and see themselves."
Brogan, of Skelton, North Yorkshire, competed against 14 other contestants in the final last week, but missed out on the top three.
She added: "This has never been about winning for me, I just wanted to use the platform to get my message and campaign out there. I found the competition fun and inclusive and we raised over £14,000 for a local hospice.
"I really enjoyed competing in the final. There were three rounds - a fashion round, a swimwear round a ball-gown round.
"I didn't place in the top three but doing this was more about saying there's nothing wrong with imperfections. Nobody is perfect and we should all embrace that."
