- Chenese Lewis
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Chenese Lewis Born Chenese Tharis Lewis
Baton Rouge, LouisianaHeight 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) Eye colour Brown Hair colour Brown Ethnicity African American Official website Chenese Tharis Lewis born November 14 from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is an American actress, plus-size model, and a positive body image and self esteem advocate. Lewis was an actress on the first season of the BET series Hell Date and made history by being the first woman crowned Miss Plus America.
Contents
Biography
Early life
Chenese was born November 14 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is the only child born to Willie D. Lewis and Tharis Lewis. Chenese graduated from McKinley Senior High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Lewis attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where she majored in English.
Career
Pageant career
Chenese’s career began in pageantry in 2002 when she stumbled upon a plus size beauty pageant on the internet and entered as Miss Louisiana Plus America. Without any prior pageant experience or formal training she walked away with the national title of Miss Plus America, becoming the first woman to hold the title in 2003. She made history and set the standard of excellence for the organization by being one of the most recognizable and successful queens in the organization.[1] The Miss Plus America Pageant crowned Chenese the prestigious title of Miss Plus America Lifetime, a lifetime achievement award, in the form of a never ending reign, for her outstanding work in the area of positive body image.[2]
Television career
She is best known for her role on the BET television series Hell Date. She appeared on four episodes, one where she was the lead as the “The Gorgeous Queen Diva Supreme” where she played an overly confident dater.
She has also made several television appearances as herself on shows such The Insider and The Cho Show and as an expert on Dr. Phil.[3]
Modeling career
Lewis has modeled for Torrid, appeared in the movie Phat Girlz as a Thick Madame Magazine Model, and appeared on the December 2007 cover of PLUS Model Magazine which coined her "A leader in the curvy revolution!” [4]
Activism
Lewis is the current president of Hollywood NOW [5] National Organization for Women and is the Love Your Body Committee Chairperson[6] for the local chapter. She created and produced a local event for Hollywood NOW to celebrate Love Your Body Day.
Lewis is also the spokesperson for the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA).[7] The Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) was founded to help those who have binge eating disorder, their friends and family, and those who treat the disorder. BEDA provides individuals who suffer from binge eating disorder with the recognition and resources they deserve to begin a safe journey toward a healthy recovery. BEDA also serves as a resource for treatment providers to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat the disorder.
Hosting
PLUS Model Radio with host Chenese Lewis launched March 17, 2008. PLUS Model Radio is the #1 podcast for plus size women. PLUS Model Radio covers everything for curvy women, including up close and personal conversations with a wide range of industry experts. The shows in depth interviews gives the audience an inside look at the plus size industry.[8] Chenese inspires plus models (and curvy fashionistas) to pursue their dreams, thrive in their curves, crave modern fashion and shape their life on their own terms, sans apologies.[9]
Lewis has interviewed curvy celebrities on the show such as Emme, Mia Tyler, America's Next Top Model Whitney Thompson, American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke, and WNBA star Kym Hampton.[10]
References
- ^ http://insidecurve.lanebryant.com/buzz/chenese-lewis-feels-like-a-voluptuous-diva-in-lane/
- ^ http://www.missplusamerica.com/chenese.asp
- ^ http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/3835/?id=3835&slide=4&showID=892&preview=&versionID=
- ^ http://www.plusmodelmag.com/General/plus-model-magazine-article-detail.asp?article-id=328586645
- ^ http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/your-look/2010-10-07-fiveways07_ST_N.htm
- ^ http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20014516-10391704.html?tag=mncol;lst;1
- ^ http://www.bedaonline.com/news_press/BEDApr_072710CheneseLewis.html
- ^ http://www1.essence.com/news_entertainment/entertainment/articles/moniqueabovethecurve
- ^ http://blog.blogtalkradio.com/soundbits/soundbits-chenese-lewis-sports-ample-style-grace-galore/
- ^ http://www.plusmodelradio.com
External links
Categories:- Plus-size models
- American actors
- American female models
- Living people
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