'Curvy Brides' appearances
Two UD alumnae featured on TLC's 'Curvy Brides' television show
10:20 a.m., April 30, 2015--Two University of Delaware alumnae have been on the set filming for appearances on the reality television show Curvy Brides on TLC.
Victoria A. King, a UD graduate student intern in the Office of Admissions who received a bachelor’s degree in English in 2012, will appear on the premiere episode, Friday, May 1, at 9:30 p.m.
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Tywanda L. Howie, associate director for stewardship communications in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations and a 2004 graduate, also has been filmed but has not received word from the network as to when her segment will appear.
King, a 2008 graduate of Caesar Rodney High School and a native of Dover, Delaware, said the show is similar to TLC’s popular Say Yes to the Dress program. Her husband, Antone King, a graduate of Strayer University, works at Computer Aid in Newark.
“Curvy Brides is a new wedding show that caters to curvaceous brides who may have a hard time finding a dress in a typical store,” King said. “I am one of the featured brides in the show looking for a reception gown that would fit my baby bump. Three of my friends traveled to Maryland with me to help me look for a dress, and TLC was there to capture every moment of trying on gowns and finally picking one.”
While she had applied for other reality shows while working as an actress following her UD graduation, King was surprised when the network asked her to be on the show.
“This was the first time I was actually chosen, and it was a great experience overall,” King said. “The network and the ladies in the store were wonderful and understanding, and I felt very comfortable with them.”
Plans for King include working for UD and continuing her interest in health-related subjects, including trichology, the study of hair and the scalp.
“As an undergraduate, I was sick several times, which prompted my interest in health,” King said. “I would like to help others learn more about hair, health and nutrition.”
Howie, who is from Newark and is a graduate of Glasgow High School, received her undergraduate degree in English with a concentration in journalism and a minor in women’s and gender studies. She also earned an MBA in marketing management from Wilmington University in 2010.
Curvy Brides, Howie said, is about providing plus-size women with the opportunity to try on many high-end, fashion-forward wedding gowns inside a boutique.
“This show, and the store Curvaceous Couture, caters only to full figured women and all the gowns in the store range in traditional plus sizes, allowing the curvy bride the chance to try on as many dresses she likes until she finds the perfect dress,” Howie said. “My fiancé, Andrew Cuffy, forwarded me an application for the show and encouraged me to apply for it.”
After forwarding a one-minute YouTube video as a follow-up to her initial application, Howie had a Skype interview with another associate producer. TLC representatives said they were interested in the story because of her large 2015 wedding party of nine bridesmaids, including three UD alums.
“We taped the show in December 2014, and my mom and eight bridesmaids were present,” Howie said. “The segment was about friends, sisters, and such, and was taped for 10 hours at the store in Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C.”
While at the store, Howie said she tried on three different styles of dresses and did pre-filming and post-filming interviews, which also included a few of her more outspoken bridesmaids.
“There was a lot of re-shooting of scenes or frames so that they could catch things from different angles or to assist with post-production,” Howie said. “I did find my wedding dress while I was there.”
Although it was a long day with a lot of repetition, Howie described the occasion as a once in a lifetime experience that she could share with those close to her.
“My girls and I were very excited to be on camera and to have a chance to celebrate our friendship,” Howie said. “The producers kept trying to make me emotional and get sentimental. I think they even succeeded in getting me to shed a tear or two.”
The author of a 2011 book Between Proverbs and Poetry, Howie said she is looking forward to her upcoming marriage and plans for continuing her graduate education.
“Andrew and I are getting married on Sunday, Sept. 13, in New Castle, Delaware,” Howie said. “In the next few years I plan to go back to school to get my doctorate and to enjoy my husband and start a family.”
Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Ambre Alexander Payne and courtesy of Victoria A. King and Tywanda L. Howie