Another day of interviews, another day closer to the end of voting! Still haven't made up your mind? We have five more interviews for you, to help sway you.
Starting us off today is the gorgeous Alice Rose Rayman!
Hi Alice! So, you know what to do...start by telling our readers all about you!
Well my name is Alice Rose Rayman, I'm 22 years old and I come from Epsom Downs - it's a tiny little place. I'm a size 32K up top, size 12 down below and I work part time at Marks And Spencer and part time as a freelance drama assistant.
Our first K cup! Where do you normally get fitted?
I have a lovely little shop in Banstead high street called D'Braz and I swear to you, they are amazing! The girls in there are amazing. In fact it was a girl called Louise who works there sent me the link to enter Star In A Bra and I thought 'sod it, I'm going to do it!'
We like the sounds of this shop! Have you always had a big bra size?
I've been steadily on the up since I was about 13, 14. I started off at a healthy C cup and they just kept going...I have just gotten bigger and bigger and bigger! I don't think they're ever going to stop! I've been a K cup for about a year now, and I think it's only fair I stop at a K!
You are a stereotypical problem size, and an extreme one at that! It must be really hard to dress for your curves?
Clothes shopping is just awful because I'm a size 12 in the bottom, and a 32 back isn't even that bag, but I sometimes wear a size 16 just to fit my boobs in...but then everything is baggy around the waist - body con is a no no! I'm so out of proportion although being tall means it doesn't seem quite as extreme.
That must be a nightmare. Your bra size definitely is quite extreme, have you ever considered a reduction?
Yeah, this time last year actually. I was really really down about it as I'd just been measured as a K cup, and after I was measured I just had a bit of a break down, I left crying! The girls at the shop were great; they tried so hard to help me, and the bras I was trying weren't bad bras, but I didn't feel sexy or like me. I'd see other girls in these gorgeous sets and clothes that actually fit them and I'd feel so low about myself, but then the shop started stocking Curvy Kate. So whilst I've only known about Curvy Kate for a year I think you guys are like Jesus to me! I've spent years paying out a LOT of money for bras I've hated, but now I've found you and it's like 'hallelujah!' a brand that fits and that I actually WANT to wear! You lot are saviours, and it's put all thoughts of a breast reduction out of my mind. As has the competition really. I've had messages from women all over the world telling me I've given them the confidence to be proud of what they've got and that's what this (the competition) and Curvy Kate is all about. And if it's as far as I go, then I'm more than happy. And you know what? Yeah I've got a bit of a belly, but I love cake and nothing is going to stop that!
That's so amazing to hear, sounds like you've come full circle. And I really hope you and everyone who enters Star In A Bra do have such positive influences on women, you're all brilliant role models. So, since we're your saviours (don't let our heads get too big now...) do you have any favourite Curvy Kate sets?
Definitely Princess, and I like Portia and the Romance and Emily after today. Since I found Curvy Kate you've added more bras that go up to a K cup so I could kiss you! I like the Showgirl range but obviously they're not in my size, but I definitely don't need any more padding so that's not a bad thing! But to have that much choice within one brand is unheard of.
Good choices! What are your thoughts on Curvy Kate turning to their customers, like yourself, to model for them?
In this day and age it's great for anyone to support natural bodies and curves. I mean I have friends wearing a size 6 and that's just their natural size...it doesn't matter what size or shape you are, companies should just support and show bodies that are natural and brutal, none of this cosmetic surgery stuff! Regardless of size, we're all beautiful so it's great for a company to show that - and it's so empowering to be in this room with all these stunners saying "this is me, in my underwear, and you're going to love it."
So, how does it feel to be a part of the top ten? And how did you and your loved ones react when you found out you'd gotten through?
Well I didn't even tell anyone that I was entering in the first place, and then when I got through to the top thirty I just announced it on Facebook! I was at work the day top ten got announced, and my boyfriend called me and started winding me up by saying I hadn't gotten through...then he started reading out the names and left me until last! I started screaming and ran out to the front of the shop - there were a lot of very confused customers! When he pretended that I hadn't gotten through, my heart sank - it was then that I realised I really wanted to be a part of it.
The support has been great, from absolutely everyone. A lot of people in the past have told me to go for something like this, and I'm so glad I did. It's made me realise you've got to embrace what you've got and learn to love it, it's really been unbelievable, especially as I never thought I'd make it through.
To celebrate, me and my boyfriend went down to Brighton and ate our weight in Ben's cookies. I think I had about 9, my new favourite thing! It was so much fun and got me so excited for the shoot.
Think we need to get them to sponsor next years competition...so how were you feeling before the shoot and now that it's finished?
Before the shoot I was really excited, but also so nervous as I've not done anything like this. I've been watching America's Next Top Model for tips, but I'm not sure it's worked, Curvy Kate want smiley girls any ways so I don't have to 'smize'! I don't like my teeth either so I was a bit apprehensive but I look back at the pictures and think 'wow, I can't believe that's me!'. I'm quite sad it's over as I just wanted the day to go on and on but it's nice to watch everyone else and support them. I've really enjoyed just hanging out with everyone and getting to know everyone. It's so surreal, we're all just hanging out in our pants, but here it's totally normal...I love it!
You soon get used to us constantly being in our smalls! So, worst part of the day?
It made me realise how awful my posture is! All I kept being told was to stretch my body out and after looking at the pictures I realised I really don't! I have quite a short torso, so can look a bit stumpy, so I really should! But that's not even a bad thing, it's just made me realise how bad it really is! Maybe I need a metal rod in my back, or I should just tie a plank of wood to me!
Watch out for splinters! And with K cup boobs, we're pretty sure you're allowed posture problems! What was the best part?
Oh I just don't know! How good it makes you feel to look at the pictures...and in the mirror when you've had your hair and make up done...just all these little things. The excuse to be girly and pampered! The whole day has been so fun, and at the end of it to think 'damn, I look good', and I'm proud to say so!
Good for you Alice! What does it mean to you to be a part of the competition?
It's just amazing to be a part of it. I'm here with the four other girls and the Curvy Kate team and we've had such a laugh. Getting to the top thirty was awesome, but to get to the top ten is something else. It means a lot, especially since last year and thinking about a reduction...it's made me feel like I don't want to change, the competition is so amazing. I entered on a whim, not thinking I'd get anywhere and already I feel so empowered. I have so much more confidence and it's done so much for me already...getting this far is enough for me but to win it would be brilliant.
Do you have any words of wisdom for anyone considering entering?
Just 100% do it. If you have the smallest thought about it, then just go for it. Don't worry about you or anyone else. Everyone is lovely and normal, we all have different hang ups and insecurities yet here we all are, in one room, in our pants, celebrating our selves. So don't second guess it, just do it! The confidence boost alone is worth it.
It really sounds as if it's done wonders for you...if you were to win, what would be the best part? You can say the free lingerie...
Well of course! And travelling for the shows. I think probably just all the little perks that you just don't expect...being in the competition is enough so everything else is a bonus. And the chance to represent women everywhere and for a company that's done so much for me.
Just one last question Alice - the one everyone hates me for! Why do you think people should vote for you?
I think people should vote for me because I hope they can see the progress that I and the other girls have made. That they can see you don't have to starve yourselves to be beautiful, that you should be proud of your bodies, regardless of your worries or your boobs or the lingerie you wear. Curvy Kate have shown me that even at a K cup I can feel sexy, I'm always showing people my bras now! I hope people vote for me thinking that I can show people and specifically girls my age that being proud of your body is a good thing and should be normal but at the same time any of the girls here could do that. So if you vote for me, great, and if you don't, I won't mind! Saying that, I have got the biggest boobs, which I think is a bit of a land mark! But I'm proud to have got this far and to have gone a full circle with how I feel about myself so yeah, vote for me!
Good luck Alice!
