Lisanne Linneman (30) from Emmen came second on Saturday at the Miss Curve Netherlands pageant in Emmeloord with 25 finalists from all over the Netherlands.
How are you Lisanne?
,,Totally awesome. I put the car aside for a while, because we are on our way back to Emmen. With my children Isabella and Valentino, they are 5 and 7 years old, I spent the night in a hotel. It was a very hectic, but fantastic night for all of us.”
Miss Curve what does that even mean?
,, The organization calls it an election for women with a size more, from size 40 you can participate. I have size 42/44 and my age is at the absolute upper limit. It was now or never for me. I think there should be a more positive image of girls and women who do not meet the almost unattainable ideal of beauty. I have a slim waist and have had a large cup size since my puberty. After my pregnancies I couldn’t get rid of the extra kilos. But what’s actually wrong with that? All the finalists are very beautiful women.”
You didn’t go on stage unprepared, did you?
“No, not exactly. We’ve had training sessions every Saturday lately: from presentation training to learning to walk on the catwalk. We started the casting with 400 girls, in the end 25 ladies went to the final. In the beginning, I was a bit scared of what it all entails. I work behind the reception of Hotel Ten Cate and also do telephone services for the hotel from home. All together I work 60 hours a week. And I am a single mother. So it was very difficult to fit in. I am very happy that I went for it.”
Is there much hatred and envy between the candidates?
,,Not at all. It’s a very warm group. We found a lot of recognition in each other. That was also the beauty.”
How did your election night go?
It was so hectic and exciting, but great to experience. For me it was already a victory when I walked on the podium there. I heard my children shouting in emotional voices: ‘Mommy, you are beautiful’. I was immediately in tears. Everyone was crying.”
What does winning that second place mean?
“Of course I am very happy with it. The jury not only looked at the appearance, but also at personality and how you present yourself. I will be the backup of winner Naomi Ravenstein from Zwolle for at least a year. She will represent the Netherlands in the United States at Miss Curve World. I must be ready if she is unable to attend for any reason.”