I Am Victimized for Being Skinny, Says Miss Universe Australia Stephanie Naumoska

A 19-year-old model aspired to represent Australia in the Miss Universe beauty pageant, and might have even hoped to win the much-coveted title and crown. Stephanie Naumoska’s dreams were shattered when members of the panel not only decided that she was not fit to represent the country in the finals, but also that she needed professional help for her weight. Still, she insists her frail frame is not to be explained by an eating disorder.

According to Radar Online, Naumoska continues with her media tour meant to explain why she weighs barely 49 kilograms (while standing at 180cm in height) and has a Body Mass Index well below the malnourished limit. During a recent interview on “Good Morning America,” the young model defended her weight again, stating that, contrary to what people say, she is very healthy and her appearance is as such because of her active lifestyle and good genes.

“I’ve never been anorexic or bulimic, I’ve never been malnourished or underfed. I live a healthy, active lifestyle.” Naumoska said on the show, echoing what she had already said in a press statement issued the day after word of her “condition” reached the international media. As per her own words, her lifestyle is simply too hectic and she is lucky enough to have a fast metabolism, and this is why she appears so thin when, in fact, she is extremely healthy. Hearing people say otherwise makes her feel “singled out” and “victimized,” Stephanie adds.

“I think it is very unfair that I have been criticized that I’m too skinny. I have never been anorexic or bulimic I don’t throw up my meals after I eat them, I don’t starve myself, none of that. I eat six to eight healthy meals a day. I’m here to defend the skinny people. I have been modeling since I was 13 and have a lot of friends who are really tall and skinny. It is just the way that our bodies are.” Naumoska was saying just a couple of days ago, when first confronted with the allegation that she might be suffering from an eating disorder and was in dire need of specialized assistance.

Nevertheless, health experts, both in Australia and in other parts of the world, who have learned of her case and have seen her pictures on the Miss Universe finale, say that she does need help. In the meantime, pageant officials claim that her slim figure is due entirely to her “Macedonian heritage,” which implies a lean body and bony limbs, despite the fact that no such thing has ever been documented, experts also point out.