Miss Belle in shape, the election that fights against fatphobia

Since 2022, the Miss Belle committee in Poitou-Charentes has enabled women of all ages and sizes to overcome their complexes. Between fittings and photo shoots, the candidates reconcile with their image.

“I told myself that I mustrI'm going to live until the end with this body, so I might as well try to accept myself.” explains Stéphanie Gay. “Last year, I lacked courage, but my husband and my daughter Justine encouraged me to run for the Miss Beautiful in Shape 2025 election.” This Charentaise woman is angry with her shapes and curves and the challenges reserved for candidates by the Poitou-Charentes committee are initiatory tests.

Phototherapy

Miss Belle in shape does not have at all the same criteria as Miss France. All women over 18 can attend, with no age limit, as long as they have a minimum size of 42/44. “Our hobby horse is to fight against fatphobia” explains the president of the Poitou-Charentes committee, Séverine Fortin.

Between now and the election in April 2025, photo sessions alternate with thematic challenges and fittings: “It’s a win when we see that women participate in professional shoots with less apprehension each time. Already, because they think they are pretty and because they are happy to be among friends. »

At 48, Stéphanie admits to hating seeing herself in photos and to having been pleasantly surprised by certain photos. But the balance is fragile: “After the wedding dress fitting session, I showed the photo that I found pretty to someone in my family. All it took was for the person to reply: “It doesn't look good, we can still see your arms ” so that I am deeply hurt.”

Our main focus is fighting fatphobia.

Séverine Fortin

President of the Miss Belle en forme Poitou-Charentes committee

Mélanie Couturier-Texier, Miss Belle en forme Poitou-Charentes 2024, emerged reinvigorated from all these stages: “CThis is real phototherapy. I entered the competition the year I turned 40, when I realized I had gotten lost.” She also had difficulty accepting her body which was changing with weight gain and loss: “I ride the roller coaster with emotions and weight. I will gain 60 kilos after the death of my father and the next shock, I lose 42.”

How to recognize and accept yourself in your conditions?

Mélanie has been living this period since her candidacy as a “time for her”. “I opened up and understood that the person I was did not change with the kilos, it’s what I put out there that counts” explains the resident of Lachaise near Montbron. “I think all women should participate in a competition like this once in their life, regardless of the category. You learn a lot about yourself!”

Stéphanie is starting to evolve. Like the eight other candidates, her smile is more frank in the photos posted online by the committee. The president of the Poitou-Charentes committee explains it easily: “This competition is not really a competition between the participants, but against oneself.”

Every woman should participate in a competition like this once in her life, regardless of the category.

Mélanie Couturier-Texier

Miss Beautiful in Shape 2024

On election day next April, you will still have to make a speech, dance and parade like in any beauty pageant.

Mélanie discovered that she really liked marching since she was elected Miss Beautiful in Shape 2024 : “I took part in the wedding fair in Saintes! A little girl’s dream!”