WHAT'S ON

Drag racer and plus-size model Renée Edwards-Ambrose will travel this weekend to Atlanta Georgia, from 20-22 February, to participate in the first ever Curvy Idol Competition Finale. Renée was voted in to the top ten from a field of 94 women from around the world during the online voting round back in November. She is the only one of the ten finalists that hails from the Caribbean and is a fan favourite to win the inaugural competition.

Curvy Idol is an initiative of Project Curve Appeal (PCA), an international membership based organisation. This phenomenal movement was launched in Atlanta back in 2008 and celebrates, empowers and unites sophisticated, classy, fabulous, curvy, and confident females. The main mission of PCA is to correct the distorted perception of curvy females around the world while uniting, empowering and educating them to celebrate, embrace and enhance their personal image, fashion and inner beauty.

Renée is the founder, and also the driver, of the Caribbean’s only all-female drag racing team Lady Horsepower Farm (LHPF), and presently holds the title of Miss Carnival Plus Model International. The confident 28 year old is a busy entrepreneur who continues to make a name for herself regionally and internationally as a drag racer and plus size model. Renée will be chaperoned by 2008 Queen of Carnival winner Derri-Ann Browne, who came on board in early 2014 to sponsor the drag racer’s plus-size modeling career through her boutique The District.

The Curvy Idol finalists’ weekend of activities will include a welcome luncheon and photo-shoot, while the final leg of the competition will be held on Saturday at 3:00 pm EST at the Hilton Garden Inn where the ladies will be judged by plus-size industry insiders on their image, professionalism, walk, character and community work.
 
The winner of the competition will be announced on Sunday and will receive prizes worth over USD$5,000 that include cover model for an issue of Curve Appeal Culture Mag. Curvy Idol is also a fundraiser for the Curvy Girls and Future Leaders Summer Camp program that empowers middle school and high school curvy girls to live healthy, be fashionable and to not give in to peer pressure.
 
On her return from Atlanta, Renée will begin preparing for regional drag racing events and will also take up her role as one of the Women of Esteem Foundation 2015 Go Girl Ambassadors.