Becka Wall – @beckawall
During the first Presidential Debate, Hillary Clinton talked at length about Donald Trump’s misogyny and sexism, highlighting his mistreatment of 1997 Miss Universe Alicia Machado. Machado won the “Miss Universe” title while weighing about 120 pounds. She had bulimia and anorexia, and suffered from an eating disorder. Once she sought treatment, she gained some healthier eating habits, along with some weight. About 50 pounds, to be exact.
Donald Trump, who owned the Miss Universe pageant at the time, called her “Miss Piggy,” “Miss Housekeeping” (get it, since she was Latina? UGH) and an “eating machine” in the media. He gave interviews talking about her eating habits, and invited the media to watch her at the gym, where he made her work out with a personal trainer.
Reading all the news coverage and watching the viral videos, I started getting a weird, queasy feeling as I realized: Alicia Machado and I lived parallel lives. Except, you know, without the Miss Universe thing on my end.
Continue reading “What I Have in Common with Miss Universe” →