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Pageant winner on a big, bold mission

Staff photo by JASON BEHNKEN

New Tampa resident Adrianne Parham celebrates winning Tampa's Miss Big, Bold & Beautiful pageant Oct. 17.

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By CLOE CABRERA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2009

Adrianne Parham is living large and loving it. And she has the crown to prove it.

The 37-year-old New Tampa resident won Tampa's Miss Big, Bold & Beautiful pageant Oct. 17. The contest was created to introduce plus-size women - sizes 12 and up - to the world of pageantry.

"You don't often see women like Parham" competing in pageants, says Sherrie Koon, the pageant's director. "We wanted to show beauty comes in all shapes and sizes."

Parham, who is a size 14 and stands 5-foot-8, says she has always been a "big" girl, and she has always been comfortable in her skin.

"I just go with the flow," says Parham, who has a 14-year-old son and 13-year-old twin boys. Plus size "is just one of those terms created by the beauty industry. Beauty is truly from within and how you carry yourself."

During the pageant, contestants were judged in four categories: interview, talent, evening gown and swimwear. Parham, who works for an insurance arbitration company, says the most difficult part was the talent competition. She danced to "Single Ladies" by Beyonce.

"I practiced (the dance) for about a month," says Parham, who enjoys doing Zumba, bowling and drawing. "My children still can't believe I did the Beyonce dance. They're elated."

Along with the crown and sash, Parham received $1,000 in cash, $100 gift cards for Ashley Stewart and Lane Bryant, a portfolio of photos, and a year of free cosmetics from Mary Kay. She also will travel around the Tampa Bay area promoting her platform, which is "empowering teen mothers."

"I want to empower young mothers with education and self-worth so they can overcome obstacles," she says.

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