Told To Lose Weight, Icelander Quits Miss Grand International

Arna Ýr Jónsdóttir, who was to take part in the Miss Grand International competition, has confirmed publicly that she was asked to lose weight in order to take part. She refused, and quit.

Vísir reports that while it was initially announced that there had been a “misunderstanding” between pageant staff and the owners, she now says that this is untrue. In actuality, she had been asked to lose weight, and so she took the decision to quit.

“There was no misunderstanding; I was told to say that, and I deeply regret it,” she wrote on Facebook. “I don’t intend to let anybody tell me I’m too fat to look good on stage. I quit.”

She adds that she told the owners, “If you are going to hold an international beauty pageant you at least have to be able to see the international beauty.”

Arna has received an outpouring of support, with one person offering to pay for her flight home.

“Thanks for the support!,” she closes. “I’m going home a winner and the proudest Icelander in the world.”