Breaking barriers
Maple Lake native promotes beauty at all sizes
When Ember (Amber Davis), formerly of the Maple Lake/Waverly Area, entered her first pageant at age 16, she knew she was different from the other contestants.
“I grew up on a junkyard working on cars,” Ember said. “I didn’t even know how to put my hair in anything other than a ponytail. During [the pageant], I was really comparing myself to everyone around me.”
It wasn’t until the final showcase event of the competition that Ember realized something important.
“I was four people behind my turn to step up on stage, in a swimsuit and heels, at 16,” Ember shared. “I was very vulnerable, noticing that my body type was vastly different than the girls around me; I was more “linebacker built” because I grew up jacking up cars and throwing hay bales. I realized that I took a different road to get here, but I got here, and I am still here.”
This new perspective helped Ember realize that no one had told her she couldn’t win – she just hadn’t seen anybody with her body type participate or win in these pageants – and she brought this new flood of confidence with her onto the stage.
“I am different, and I’m happy about that,” Ember said. “I want to show other people that different can compete; it’s not just a one-world place.”
Now, 10 years after her first pageant, Ember has claimed the title of Miss Voluptuous MN 2020 ND and Miss MN USA Congeniality 2020. She also has begun work as a model to represent “beauty at all sizes.” Oh, and she’s also a certified welder, professional chef and bartender, and rides her motorcycle in parades.
Miss Voluptuous
A pageant that started in England has made its way over to the US, and Ember holds the very first title of Miss Voluptuous Minnesota, and will compete in Nationals in 2022 in Nashville.
“We aren’t looking for a model in a crown,” the pageant’s website shares. “Our contestants are so much more than just a beautiful face; they have passion for making a difference, a willingness to work hard, and determination to be heard.”
After winning the competition for Minnesota, Ember has been able to do just that – share the reminder that there is beauty at all sizes, and she’s breaking down the barriers that stereotypes have constructed.
When thinking of a stereotypical model/pageant contestant, one probably imagines a size 00, dainty girl, as that is the image the fashion and beauty industries tend to promote. However, in recent years especially, there has been a push to promote authenticity, and to represent more than one body type.
Through pageants like Miss Voluptuous, Ember has participated in numerous parades to show the industry is not limited to one size, and she also brings a unique element: riding her motorcycle instead of a float.
Breaking Barriers
Ember is breaking the stereotypical mold of the fashion/pageant/modeling, in more ways than one. Whether it’s by being a certified welder, professional chef and bartender, or riding her motorcycle in parades, she’s making it clear that being beautiful and strong can be represented in many different ways.
“The way I was raised, it is very normal for me to have these other skills,” Ember shared. “It’s just ‘a skill’ to me – it’s not really gender specific. But, as I got out there, I first ran into people who were surprised, which was cool, because I made a difference. But, then I came across people who were actually shocked and doubting. I found that people, whether or not they hadn’t seen it as often, they were compelled to doubt that I, a woman, would have a skill like that. And it really broke my heart, because there are other people trying to go out in the world and grow, and they are going to hit these same barriers.”
To help make a statement, she decided to ride her motorcycle in parades.
“At every single parade – probably six or seven now – I’ve had people come up and share really good support and appreciation,” Ember shared. “My favorite part is when little girls, boys, men, and women are all excited.”
By making the choice to embrace her individuality, Ember has added her voice to a powerful movement, sharing the reminder that beauty isn’t restricted to a clothing size, and to chase after one’s passions and hobbies.
Since her days of riding along in the car with her family to deliver The Drummer and slinging hay bales on the farm, Ember has made a name for herself in the modeling world, working with a variety of companies that promote beauty at every size.
“There’s always going to be my own barriers that I find myself having to break through,” Ember shared. “But [this platform] is something I can stand on, because that’s what people want to see – a natural body. Everybody’s going to be a different size in their life, so why would you only like yourself for that ten percent of your lifetime?”
In the upcoming months, Ember will continue to add her voice to the movement that is breaking barriers and supporting the beauty in everyone, as she looks forward to competing in the Miss Voluptuous International competition in April next year.
