Star In A Bra USA top ten interview – Michaela Duerson

Not many interviews left now, we’ve had a quick tea break and we’re right back on it, and this time we speak to the wonderful Michaela Duerson!

Hi Michaela! You know what to do – let our readers know all about you! 

Well, my name is Kayla, and I am 23 years old. I am from the north suburbs of Chicago, Il. I currently work full-time in marketing for DirectBuy, America’s #1 way to buy direct for your home. In my spare time I go to church, and hang out with friends. I love old school music, sarcastic humor, and the color orange.

Maybe we can convince Curvy Kate to bring out a bright orange bra?! What lingerie sizes do you usually wear?

When asked what sizes do I wear, my honest answer is, anything that will S T R E T C H! The bra that I currently have on is an unfortunate 36DD and my undies are a size 6.

I have a feeling 36DD isn’t your bra size! Were you refitted at the shoot?

At the shoot I was fitted, which I knew I would be. Laura was absolutely amazing and helped me find that I am a 32GG. Before, the fitting with Laura, I was told that I was a 36H at my local lingerie store, Victoria Secret in Gurnee, ill. Which actually isn’t too far off, because I’m  inbetween a GG and a H.

Well at least you’re finally in the right size! Do you have a favourite Curvy Kate set?

Yes! I absolutely love the ‘Tease Me’ it is amazing because the style is 100% sexy and the fit is 100% comfortable. I had the pleasure of wearing the blissful blue set for my shoot and when I put it on I felt like ‘Bow Chicka Wow Wow’. It’s literally the most comfortable bra I have EVER worn and by far the cutest. Cheers to Curvy Kate for that one! I felt more like a happy customer than a model, honestly.

I love that bra, I have it in so many colours! Were you a Curvy Kate fan before the competition? 

I hadn’t even heard of Curvy Kate before the competition. Thank God I did though. I needed to find bras that fit, and thanks to the model search, I have.

Another convert! How did you find out about the competition?

A stranger on twitter sent me the link to the competition about a month prior to its US launch. Come to find out, he is a UK native that truly believes that big is beautiful. He’s a photographer himself and everyone should follow him, his twitter name is @TrendyTweeters.

Fantastic, a big thank you to him! Why did you decide to enter?

My aunt Wee Wee died last year. It was completely unexpected and changed the lives of my entire family. She was bold, and beautiful. She was curvy and courageous. Most importantly, she loved me inside and out and when I was at my biggest, 185 lbs, she thought I was just as beautiful as I was at 130 lbs. I know that if she were alive today she’d be just as proud and happy for me at the weight I am now, and lovely 160 lbs. I was her Barbie, and I know that had she lived, she would have been the first one ready with her digital camera to take pictures of me in my bra and send them into Curvy Kate. So, entering this competition was fate, my guardian angel wanted me to show off my curves and here I am, showin’ em’ off to everyone!

I’m sure she’d be very proud of you. How does it feel to be a part of the first ever US competition?

It is a prayer answered. It’s a blessing received. It’s a dream come true. Im so grateful and thankful and I love and appreciate every single person that has helped me get this far! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!

How have your loved ones reacted to the good news?

My friends, and family have been so encouraging throughout this entire journey. My mom and dad have been right behind me every step of the way. My sister and brother have been out getting votes left and right. My aunt, Grandfather and God Mother made sure I made it to New York. My best friends have answered on the nights when fear tried to creep in and replace my faith, but most importantly God, has been here every step of the way. To say the least, it’s been a team effort.

It sounds like you have a really supportive team around you. So the shoot is over and done with, how did you feel before and after?

Before the shoot I was ready for action! After the shoot, I was still ready for action! I love being in front of the camera. I have been wanting to model since I was 5. The shoot was everything I could ever hope for.

And what were the best and worst parts of the shoot?

The best part of the shoot was finally having the opportunity to look everyone in the eye and shake hands. I couldn’t wait to meet the other girls, the Curvy Kate team, the wonderful people from Lippie Taylor, the awesome team from bare necessities, and the team from Better. The worst part of the shoot, was saying bye.

Well if that’s the worst part, we’re obviously doing something right! Are you proud of your shape and size?

Is that even a question?! I LOVE my shape and size. Everyone should love and appreciate their size. Think of it this way, who’s going to love you if you don’t?

A very valid point! Do you struggle to find lingerie and clothes to fit your clothes?

I have always had trouble finding a bra that fits. Underwear are easy to find. But bras, now that’s a struggle. I usually buy the biggest cup with the smallest back a store carries. Then I have to figure out a way to eliminate the ‘muffin top’ affect from the spill over portion of my breast. So, I wear my bra so that the excess ‘boobage’ lies beneath the wire. This creates the illusion that my bra fits. But at night when it’s time to take it off, I have an equator-like line dividing my boobs in half from the wire. Trust me, it is as bad as it sounds.

Ouch! What do you think of the fitting situation in America?

The U.S fitting situation needs to adopt the U.K fitting technique. In the U.S, you will be fitted with a tape measure. And if, you are like me, bigger than a DDD, you will get the shameful, head to the side and frown “ I’m sorry you’re a 36H, we can’t help you here… you will have to go online and search” Bra shopping is dreaded in the U.S you can ask any American woman, I guarantee she feels the same.

That sounds awful! To you, what is a Curvy Kate girl?

A Curvy Kate girl is a girl that realizes that fitting in is under-rated, unless you are talking about your proper bra-size. She knows who she is and she knows that changing who she is to ‘fit in’ is the ugliest thing she could ever do. A Curvy Kate girl loves her curves, and always smiles because she knows no matter what, having big boobs is great and they look better when paired with a nice smile in a cute, Curvy Kate set.

And what would be the best part about winning?

No longer having to wear this terrible, painful, little bra!!! I want to win the ‘Tease Me’ in a 32GG as apart of my years worth of lingerie!

That would be a pretty good prize! Do you have any advice for women considering entering the next competition?

Do it!

Short and sweet! Just one last question Michaela, and I’m afraid it’s the one everyone hates! Why do you think people should vote for you?

People should vote for me because throughout this entire competition I have truly been myself. I really am always this excited. I really do love my boobs this much. I really am proud of who I am. And I really have been praying for this for a long time. I also believe it’d be nice for Curvy Kate’s consumers to see someone with a dark skin tone in the catalogues. I know that there is a large population of tan, brown, mocha skinned women out there with DD-K sized chests that wonder “If I order this, will it look right on me?” Let me be the first to say, I had the amazing opportunity to wear them and the answer is, “GIRL YES!” These sets look great on dark skin, I hope that you vote for me, so I can be the one you identify with when you make your next trip to Bare Necessities. If you think Curvy Kate looks good on me, that means it looks good on you too, because we are just alike. Buy it and show it off!

Good luck Michaela! 

To vote for Michaela, head to her page on the Curvy Kate USA Facebook application for Star In A Bra. Whilst you’re at it, why not become a fan of the Curvy Kate USA Facebook page to keep up to date with the competition and the brand?

Next up we hear from Rhiannon Mariani!