Hi Fran!

First off, massive congratulations for being both the reigning Miss Viva Las Vegas and the very first disabled plus-sized Queen! How did it feel to win that day knowing that you were representing women that had often been overlooked?Thanks so much! It was such a cool experience, and the response from people has been massive! It really drove home the point that seeing people who look like you and that you can connect with is really important, and hopefully means that other marginalised people will have the same opportunity to represent their communities next! 
And how has life changed since the big day? (Please tell me you wear the crown and sash on the sofa?!)


Hahaha, they have pride of place in my dressing room, with my trophy! But aside from the extra bling, I’ve been lucky to be able to just keep doing what I love and sharing the things that matter to me, with the people that follow me. Honestly, I just love where my life has taken me and the win at Viva was a huge part of my year, but I wouldn’t have entered if I had wanted my life to change – I think you need to be genuinely happy with where you are already before you can really tackle a big contest like that!

With becoming Miss Viva Las Vegas firmly under your belt, what’s next? What else is left to ensure world domination?


I have so many plans for all kinds of exciting adventures, but time is definitely a factor! I think I’m just going to keep knocking out one big goal at a time and hoping that I can maintain a positive outlook and a good work/life balance, because you can’t conquer the world if you’re burnt out!

 
I have to say, I am in awe with how you cram so much into your life, with your businesses, pin up events, modelling and all while coping on a daily basis with your pain…..how do you find the energy and the positivity to keep it all going? (Are you Superwoman?!)
                                                                             

Thanks so much! I must say that while I love being able to push myself and take all of the amazing opportunities that come my way, I know that I won’t be able to do that forever, so my motivation is always to build my business and fit in as many new experiences as I can before my disability progresses! That way, when I can’t expend quite the same energy, I can live out my days on a beach somewhere sunny and really reap the benefits of the work I’m putting in now!

 
You have travelled well with Miss Viva, competing and judging in pin up events such as The Miss Rebel Round Up and Miss Pin Up NZ, and for your numerous professions, what do you find different in the styles of vintage with each country and competition you visit? And have you got a favourite?
                       

 I love that my job takes me to so many really cool events, and they all have such different personalities, but I think the one overarching similarity is how passionate everyone is about their communities! No matter whether I’m at a dirty bogan car show, a beautiful garden party, or a classic vintage market, everyone is there because they love their scene and want to share it with others, and that’s the coolest thing ever! It’s just so cool to be able to go between all of these completely different groups of people and never feel out of place, you know? But I think Viva has to be my favourite – It’s the one event I go to where I don’t have to work, so it’s great to be able to get dressed up without ruining my clothes folding tables or putting up gazebos!