Siera Bearchell spoke out about pageants and online hate on Instagram. (Photo via NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Siera Bearchell is open about the hate she received in the spotlight.
Over the weekend, the 29-year-old former Miss Universe Canada took to Instagram to speak to her 174,000 followers about pageants, trolls and body shaming.
In the post, the beauty pageant champion shared photos from her Miss Universe pageant, along with examples of derogatory comments she received about her body in the caption.
“Fat. whale miss piggy Obese. Disgusting. I will never forget the thousands of comments that have been thrown at me. “Competitors later posted eating donuts and said they would have placed if they had been ‘fat like Miss Canada.'”
However, the model and entrepreneur didn’t let hate stop her from being an advocate for body positivity and self-love.
“I rose above hate to share that size is no measure of value. Size is not a measure of leadership. And size certainly isn’t a measure of who you are as a person,” the mother-of-two explained. For that I am eternally grateful [Miss Universe] Organization for the belief that beauty is beyond size.
Bearchell thanked the competition judges for putting them “on top.” [nine] among 86 countries,” which is Canada’s highest and only ranking in 10 years.
“Let this be your sign to believe in yourself even when others don’t,” she concluded.
In her Instagram Story, the law graduate revealed that she’s “on the fence” about moving on from pageant content, referencing an Instagram Live where the Calgary-based content creator said that “Miss Universe never crowned a woman over a certain height”.
“That’s absolutely true and all you have to do is google ‘Miss Universe Crownings’ and you will see that there isn’t a single woman over a size 4/6. It is what it is, take it as a criticism of the former titleholder,” she explained.
The story goes on
Bearchell added that she’s fed up with the constant negativity that’s starting to wear her down, while sharing another mean comment that called her “disgusting” and “not inspired.”
Siera Bearchell’s Instagram Story. (Photo via Instagram/sierabarchell)
“I’m just so tired of the trolls and so-called supporters trying to bring people down. I am very grateful for the support that is there. Sometimes the criticism is just too much and overwhelming,” the activist wrote. “…trying to let go of what I can’t control,” she added in another story.
In comments to her post, fans rushed to Bearchell’s page, calling her “an inspiration.”
“You paved the way, thanks for your vote,” commented one follower.
“You are an inspiration to the underdogs too! And to us you are a queen forever!” shared by someone else.
“I started following you because I finally felt someone was real and it’s been an honor ever since,” added another.
“You are strong and beautiful and your body is just part of the picture! You my friend are a true example,” one fan wrote.
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