LargeInCharge.com: What is your name?
My name is Queen Delores Elizabeth Smith.
LargeInCharge.com: Where are you from and what is your
current Location?
I was born, raised and currently live in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania.
LargeInCharge.com: Can you give us some information about
yourself (Age, Height, Size, Nationality, Marital Status,
Children, etc.)?
I am 41 years old, Afro-American, 5 feet 5 inches tall and
wear a 14-16 in clothing. I am also married and the mother
of two adult sons Peter age 25 and Christopher age 21.
LargeInCharge.com: Were you a big child, or did you gain
weight later in life?
I was a “chubby” child. As I grew I just continued to be
bigger than children my age.
LargeInCharge.com: (If you were a big child) how did you
feel growing up as a large child?
My parents always taught me to love myself regardless of
what anyone else might say or think about me.
LargeInCharge.com: (If you gained weight later in life) what
caused you to gain weight and how did you feel about it?
My biggest weight gain came after pregnancy with my first
son Peter. I gained 80lbs and lost only 10lbs after his
birth.
LargeInCharge.com: Please tell us about the title you now
hold
I am 2009 Queen of the Wilkes Productions Big Beautiful
Woman Pageant. This is an annual, National pageant which is
held in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. This year the pageant was
held on August 23, 2009.
LargeInCharge.com: Were you nervous about entering a
Pageant?
I really was not very nervous entering. I was just more
concerned about being prepared for the pageant. Things moved
so fast during the pageant that at least for me there was
not enough time to be nervous.
LargeInCharge.com: What did you wear for the Pageant?
For my into I wore a White Jersey gown, my talent I wore a
patchwork Maxi Dress and for my evening wear I wore a purple
velvet gown. All three of those gowns were designed by
Douglas Says out of New York. My lingerie was designed by
Miss Shirley Stewart of Bodacious Body Lingerie in Trenton.
LargeInCharge.com: What made you decide to enter?
This actually my second time entering the Wilkes Productions
BBW Pageant; I was a contestant in 2008. I was blessed to
have shared the stage with some very beautiful and talented
Plus Sized ladies as I was this year. Last year I placed as
First Runner-up. I really enjoyed the experience and wanted
to be a part of it again this year.
LargeInCharge.com: Tell us how did you feel during the
Pageant?
During the pageant I felt anxious. Before each segment there
is a wardrobe change. So I was focusing on what outfit was
next, how was I going to do my hair, how was I going to do
my makeup and making sure I was prepared when it was time to
go on. Not to mention what was required once I got on stage.
There was really a lot going on.
LargeInCharge.com: What was it like to go out on that stage?
Going on stage was exciting specially seeing my family there
supporting and cheering me on. I used to perform in high
school and college so it was nice to be back in my element.
LargeInCharge.com: What is your Platform and Talent?
Breast Cancer awareness and Prostate Cancer testing are
issues that are near and dear to my heart. My mother is a
Breast Cancer survivor for over 25 years and my father who
is now 87 was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer over 23 years
ago. A platform is not required to enter the pageant however
I will be working very closely with these organizations just
as I previously have. There are also organizations in
Philadelphia such as PAL that I will also offering my
services to.
For the talent portion of the pageant I sang “The Way He
Makes Me Feel” which is from the play “Yentl”. I had to sing
it “A cappella” due to the fact that my instrumental would
not play for the sound man. That was kind of nerve wrecking
I must admit.
LargeInCharge.com: What have you done since winning your
Title?
So far I have made several appearances. One at a Red Carpet
Book signing on board the Moshulu and two appearance at
Wilkes Productions R&B Onstage which is a showcase at the
prestigious Clef Club in Philadelphia.
LargeInCharge.com: Have you had any media exposure?
No I have not had any media exposure as of yet. The pageant
was just a few months ago. However I was in a commercial for
the Pageant in 2008.
LargeInCharge.com: Do you plan to enter anymore Pageants, if
so which ones?
Once my reign has ended I will consider entering other
pageants. There are so many plus size pageants popping up
around the country. I will have to do my research and pick
those pageants that will serve me and my platform best.
LargeInCharge.com: Did you find it a hard journey to be
accepted for your size?
No I never had a problem with accepting my size. Maybe
others had a problem with my size but they have learned to
get over it and except me for who I am.
LargeInCharge.com: Do you find acceptance among your family
and friends?
My family and friends have always loved and supported me
regardless of my size.
LargeInCharge.com: What would you say inspires you most in
life?
My sons have always been my inspiration. They look up to me
so the decisions that I have made in my life have had to be
to right ones.
LargeInCharge.com: What is your primary job?
I am a Philadelphia Police Officer a career that I have had
for over 16 years. I am also a freelance Makeup artist and
have done some talent scouting for different shows in the
Philadelphia area.
LargeInCharge.com: How did you get into this line of work?
Being a Police Officer was not a childhood dream of mine. I
wanted to be a Registered Nurse and was actually in college
pursuing that dream. My first marriage fell apart leaving me
to support two young boys. So I dropped out of college,
applied for The Philadelphia Department of Corrections and
The Philadelphia Police Department. I was hired by the
Prisons first and worked there for two years before
switching over to Police. By the way I was plus size at the
time I was hired for both jobs. In fact I was a size 14 when
I graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy.
LargeInCharge.com: Do you find acceptance in the work force?
Yes, but I had to prove myself to get that acceptance.
Police work can be very physically challenging. Once my
colleagues saw that I was capable of backing them up, could
run with them and get down and dirty right beside them not
only did I gain their respect but I had requests from
Officers wanting to partner with me.
LargeInCharge.com: What changes do you believe should take
place for Large People in the work force?
Discrimination because of size is still very much in the
work place and needs to stop. Just like it is illegal to
discriminate because of race, sex or sexual orientation so
should it be for size discrimination. There are still places
that judge your ability to work on your size. There still
places that will not hire you because you do not fit a
particular mold or might make their organization look bad
because you are larger than what they might consider normal.
I am living proof that we can do any job as well as those so
called normal size people.
LargeInCharge.com: What do you think about the fashion
industry for big sized clothing?
All I can say is hallelujah!!! It’s about time. I remember
my grandmother who was 300+ lbs always wearing what looked
like a curtain or a Moo Moo. It’s nice to see that there are
sexy and sophisticated clothing for plus size women and even
men.
LargeInCharge.com: What do you wish to see change with the
fashion industry?
I would like to see more variety with in the Plus Fashion
Industry. It would be nice if more big name designers would
finally realize that there are not that many coat hangers
walking around these days and would offer their fashions in
plus size as well as straight size.
LargeInCharge.com: What changes do you think will happen if
plus sized modeling for men and women were to expand?
I think that there will be a bigger respect for people that
are plus size. I also think that those who are plus size
would start accepting themselves especially our young
people.
LargeInCharge.com: Tell us some of the places you buy your
clothing from.
I shop a variety of places: Ashley Stewart (tops, Bottoms,
Dresses, Outerwear), Lane Bryant (Tops, Bottoms, Dresses and
Foundations i.e.…Spanx), New York and Company (Sweaters and
Workout gear), Victoria Secrets (dresses and pajamas). I do
not limit myself to a single store.
LargeInCharge.com: Tell us one of your secret beauty tips.
I am very much into skin care. It is so important to take
care of your skin. Mine is extremely sensitive and tends to
break out when I use makeup so I try to pamper it. Also the
environment takes a toll on your skin. I love the Ambi Skin
Care Line from Johnson & Johnson its very light and controls
my occasional break outs.
LargeInCharge.com: Give us some tips on how to have a
successful Photo shoot. What should models be prepared for?
Be prepared to work. Photo shoots can be very lengthy and
very tiring. Make sure you have your outfits and accessories
prepared. Some photographers tend not to be very patient
with people who are disorganized. Other than that just be
yourself and Rock It.
LargeInCharge.com: Look at Size acceptance five years ago...
look at size acceptance now. What changes do you see?
I see plus size people especially women being more
comfortable in their skin. I see the big girls turning more
heads and men coming out saying they love the big girls and
not ashamed to have them on their arm.
LargeInCharge.com: What changes do you think will happen
five years from now with size acceptance?
I would like to see more social platforms for Size
Acceptance. Why do the airlines require you to purchase two
seats? Just make them larger.
LargeInCharge.com: Tell us about your goals as far as
modeling and other interests.
As far as modeling is concerned I would love to do print
work and some runway work. I have been in several fashion
shows and really enjoyed the experience. My work as a MUA is
also starting to get a lot of exposure and I would like to
see that take off as well. In my police work I am looking
forward to promotions in the next year or so.
LargeInCharge.com: Can you tell us about an inspirational
moment in you life that made you feel good about your size.
The day I graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy in
1994, the day I married my husband Charles in 2006 and when
I won 1st Runner Up in the 2008 Wilkes Production BBW
Pageant. Those were all accomplishments for me and made me
feel that despite my size I could still do anything I set my
mind to.
LargeInCharge.com: Is there a person in your life that makes
you keep going?
Yes my wonderful sons make my life worth it and keep me
going forward. They are my joy and the great accomplishment
of my life.
LargeInCharge.com: What advice would you give to other
people of size who want to model?
Do not let anyway deter you from your dream. The sky is
truly the limit and you can be and do anything you set your
mind to.
LargeInCharge.com: What plus size figure do you admire?
I have always admired the Original Runway Diva Miss Sharon
Quinn.
LargeInCharge.com: Describe yourself with one word.
Dynamic!!!
