Chenese Lewis
Encyclopedia
Chenese Tharis Lewis born November 14 from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
, is an American
actress, plus-size model
, and a positive body image and self esteem advocate. Lewis was an actress on the first season of the BET
series Hell Date
and made history by being the first woman crowned Miss Plus America.
. She is the only child born to Willie D. Lewis and Tharis Lewis. Chenese graduated from McKinley Senior High School
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
. Lewis attended Louisiana State University
in Baton Rouge, where she majored in English.
, becoming the first woman to hold the title in 2003. She made history and set the standard of excellence for the organization by being one of the most recognizable and successful queens in the organization. The Miss Plus America Pageant crowned Chenese the prestigious title of Miss Plus America Lifetime, a lifetime achievement award, in the form of a never ending reign, for her outstanding work in the area of positive body image.
television series Hell Date
. She appeared on four episodes, one where she was the lead as the “The Gorgeous Queen Diva Supreme” where she played an overly confident dater.
She has also made several television appearances as herself on shows such The Insider and The Cho Show
and as an expert on Dr. Phil.
, appeared in the movie Phat Girlz
as a Thick Madame Magazine Model, and appeared on the December 2007 cover of PLUS Model Magazine which coined her "A leader in the curvy revolution!”
and is the Love Your Body Committee Chairperson for the local chapter. She created and produced a local event for Hollywood NOW to celebrate Love Your Body Day.
Lewis is also the spokesperson for the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA). The Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) was founded to help those who have binge eating disorder, their friends and family, and those who treat the disorder. BEDA provides individuals who suffer from binge eating disorder with the recognition and resources they deserve to begin a safe journey toward a healthy recovery. BEDA also serves as a resource for treatment providers to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat the disorder.
Lewis has interviewed curvy celebrities on the show such as Emme
, Mia Tyler
, America's Next Top Model
Whitney Thompson
, American Idol
finalist Kimberley Locke
, and WNBA star Kym Hampton.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress, plus-size model
Plus-size model
Plus-size model is a term applied to a person who is engaged primarily in modeling plus-size clothing. Plus-size models also engaged in work that is not strictly related to selling large-sized clothing, e.g., stock photography and advertising photography for cosmetics, household and pharmaceutical...
, and a positive body image and self esteem advocate. Lewis was an actress on the first season of the BET
Bet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
series Hell Date
Hell Date
Hell Date is a popular dating show on Black Entertainment Television with a unique twist.-Plot:The show starts with one unsuspecting dater telling the viewers who his/her ideal mate is. This individual thinks that he/she is on a standard dating show, such as "Blind Date", where both daters have...
and made history by being the first woman crowned Miss Plus America.
Early life
Chenese was born November 14 in Baton Rouge, LouisianaBaton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. She is the only child born to Willie D. Lewis and Tharis Lewis. Chenese graduated from McKinley Senior High School
McKinley Senior High School
McKinley Senior High School, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is located on 800 E. McKinley St. is home to the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board's first gifted and talented high school programs...
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. Lewis attended Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in Baton Rouge, where she majored in English.
Pageant career
Chenese’s career began in pageantry in 2002 when she stumbled upon a plus size beauty pageant on the internet and entered as Miss Louisiana Plus America. Without any prior pageant experience or formal training she walked away with the national title of Miss Plus AmericaMiss Plus America
Miss Plus America is a beauty pageant for plus-sized women. It began in 2003, to offer an alternative to mainstream pageants like Miss America, to which it has no affiliation.All American women are eligible, so long as they are more than a size 14W....
, becoming the first woman to hold the title in 2003. She made history and set the standard of excellence for the organization by being one of the most recognizable and successful queens in the organization. The Miss Plus America Pageant crowned Chenese the prestigious title of Miss Plus America Lifetime, a lifetime achievement award, in the form of a never ending reign, for her outstanding work in the area of positive body image.
Television career
She is best known for her role on the BETBet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
television series Hell Date
Hell Date
Hell Date is a popular dating show on Black Entertainment Television with a unique twist.-Plot:The show starts with one unsuspecting dater telling the viewers who his/her ideal mate is. This individual thinks that he/she is on a standard dating show, such as "Blind Date", where both daters have...
. She appeared on four episodes, one where she was the lead as the “The Gorgeous Queen Diva Supreme” where she played an overly confident dater.
She has also made several television appearances as herself on shows such The Insider and The Cho Show
The Cho Show
The Cho Show is a reality-sitcom starring comedienne Margaret Cho which premiered on VH1 on August 21, 2008. The series follows Cho as she interacts with her family and friends, including her mother and her assistant Selene Luna. Sandra Bernhard, Wanda Sykes, Michelle Rodriguez, Kat Von D, Nina...
and as an expert on Dr. Phil.
Modeling career
Lewis has modeled for TorridTorrid
Torrid is an American retail chain owned by Hot Topic. The store offers plus sized apparel and accessories for women and teenage girls sizes 12 - 26. Torrid began operations in April 2001. The first location opened in the Brea Mall in Brea, California...
, appeared in the movie Phat Girlz
Phat Girlz
Phat Girlz is a 2006 comedy film released in North America on April 7, 2006. The DVD and its soundtrack was released on August 22, 2006.-Box office:...
as a Thick Madame Magazine Model, and appeared on the December 2007 cover of PLUS Model Magazine which coined her "A leader in the curvy revolution!”
Activism
Lewis is the current president of Hollywood NOW National Organization for WomenNational Organization for Women
The National Organization for Women is the largest feminist organization in the United States. It was founded in 1966 and has a membership of 500,000 contributing members. The organization consists of 550 chapters in all 50 U.S...
and is the Love Your Body Committee Chairperson for the local chapter. She created and produced a local event for Hollywood NOW to celebrate Love Your Body Day.
Lewis is also the spokesperson for the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA). The Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) was founded to help those who have binge eating disorder, their friends and family, and those who treat the disorder. BEDA provides individuals who suffer from binge eating disorder with the recognition and resources they deserve to begin a safe journey toward a healthy recovery. BEDA also serves as a resource for treatment providers to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat the disorder.
Hosting
PLUS Model Radio with host Chenese Lewis launched March 17, 2008. PLUS Model Radio is the #1 podcast for plus size women. PLUS Model Radio covers everything for curvy women, including up close and personal conversations with a wide range of industry experts. The shows in depth interviews gives the audience an inside look at the plus size industry. Chenese inspires plus models (and curvy fashionistas) to pursue their dreams, thrive in their curves, crave modern fashion and shape their life on their own terms, sans apologies.Lewis has interviewed curvy celebrities on the show such as Emme
Emme
Emme may refer to:*Rivers in Switzerland:**Emme , flowing through Emmental, Canton of Berne**Kleine Emme, flowing through Entlebuch, Canton of Lucerne*Emme Emme Aronson, a plus-size model...
, Mia Tyler
Mia Tyler
Mia Abagale Tallarico , better known as Mia Tyler, is an American actress, plus-size model, public speaker and advocate. She is the daughter of Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler, and the actress groupie Cyrinda Foxe. She is the paternal half-sister of actress Liv Tyler...
, America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
Whitney Thompson
Whitney Thompson
Whitney Thompson is an American fashion model and is the winner of the tenth cycle of America's Next Top Model.-Early life:...
, American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
finalist Kimberley Locke
Kimberley Locke
Kimberley Dawn Locke is an American singer-songwriter and model. She has recorded in the dance, pop and adult contemporary music genres....
, and WNBA star Kym Hampton.