Miss Universe Argentina Used To Be Bullied Chubby Kid

Story By: Ana LacasaSub-EditorJoana Mihajlovska, Agency: Newsflash

Miss Universe Argentina 2020 has revealed how she used to be bullied at school for being a chubby girl as seen in a recent photo shared on social media.

Alina Akselrad, 22, won the Miss Universe Argentina 2020 title without a glitzy ceremony this year due to lockdown, and she was informed of her win while at home with her family.

Alina was born in the city of Cordoba in the central Argentine province of the same name and studied linguistics as well as hosting a radio program with her mother called ‘Reinas de la Vida’ (Queens of Life) where they attempt to empower young women by building up their self-confidence.

@alinaakselrad/Newsflash

Part of her campaign to win the title, which now means she will represent her country at the upcoming Miss World, was based around the slogan “beauty cannot be measured or weighed, beauty can only be seen”.

She said: “Of course I was delighted, and I instantly shared the good news with my mum and gran.

For the whole family, her journey to win the ultimate accolade in her country was a long one.

@alinaakselrad/Newsflash

From the ages of 6 to 14 she was sidelined and discriminated against because of the weight.

She said: “We still live in a society where physical appearance is linked with happiness and success. That is what, according to some, makes us feel good. For years I did not see myself in a positive light, I was uncomfortable and had an inferiority complex.

“At school, it was the thin, good looking girls who became the princesses and were centre stage at school events, whereas I was mostly stage scenery like a tree or maybe an ogre.”

@alinaakselrad/Newsflash

By the time she was 15, she was on extreme diets which affected her mood. However, when she realised that everything was linked, together with the help of her family, therapy and coaching, she changed her life.

She said that anybody who says there is an easy answer is wrong, as for her it was a long and difficult journey adding “it was not easy to heal”.

The model added that she had started out doing beauty contests in order to defend diversity and use her voice for change.

@alinaakselrad/Newsflash

The contest to elect the new Miss Universe Argentina was virtual. Around 1,500 models participated in the competition and after several days and interviews, Alina was finally elected as the new Miss Universe Argentina.

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