'Plus-Sized' Ridgewood Woman To Compete In Miss New Jersey USA Contest

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — For Messalina Morley, size doesn't matter.

The village native is vying for the title of Miss Jersey USA. Morley is a size 8-10 and her entry into the contest is something not normally associated with someone of her size. And that's just fine with her.

"I just want to show everybody, to show plus-sized girls, 'hey, you are beautiful' and encourage them to go out and compete and have a great time," said Morley, an aspiring actress who was born in London. She moved to the United States when she was a baby.

Morley, 20, wasn't always so comfortable with her looks and body shape.

"I used to be very conscious of my shape and size. I think a lot of teenage girls felt the same way," said Morley. "I wouldn't eat enough and I'd be cranky. I would compare myself to other people."

Then she realized something.

"I'm not those people. I'm me," Morley said, proudly. "I have a big bone structure. I'm a great swimmer. I'm tall. I have curves. I just focus on the positive aspects of my body rather than the negative."

That's when everything changed.

"Once my mental attitude changed, it's amazing how I felt," Morley said. "I'm at the point where I love myself for who I am. I can run and swim and be who I want to be. I'm grateful that my body allows me to do the things I can do."

Morley is an aspiring film actress. She is a graduate of the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts. She has performed in "Cabaret" with the Bergen County Players and "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" with the Leonia Summerstage.

"The acting world is full of rejection. You'll go to 20 auditions and you'll get one job. I'm prepared for the rejections because I love who I am," Morley said. "I know going in that if they choose someone for a part who is thinner than me, I won't feel sorry for myself."

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Photo courtesy of Messalina Morley