Tess Holliday is the world's largest supermodel, signed under MiLK Model Management. Now she's having a big moment in her career, gracing the cover of People magazine's upcoming Body Issue.
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I can finally share what I was up to in Palm Springs this weekend.. Shooting the cover of @Peoplemag out today!!! @jameswhitefoto shot it & I'm crying Also wearing @chubbycartwheels bodysuit Grab a copy!! #tessholliday #dying #effyourbeautystandards #milkcurve A photo posted by +Size Model || Feminist (@tessholliday) on May 20, 2015 at 6:33am PDT
The size 22 model is 5'5" and 280 pounds and has become a social media sensation for her sexy lingerie-clad selfies and tattoos. Now with over 800,000 likes on Facebook and 700,000 followers on Instagram, she's started a hashtag, #effyourbeautystandards, to spread her message of self-acceptance.
Already, users across social media have voiced their support for the supermodel.
I want to give @peoplemag all the praise for putting Size 22 Supermodel @tess_holliday on their cover… https://t.co/s2eSCiGsEk— MissNyle (@MissNyle) May 20, 2015
So proud of @Tess_Holliday :) She inspires me feel good about what I look like today! #EffYourBeautyStandards https://t.co/ALHC1LTRc1— Meredith Red (@CSWMer) May 12, 2015
I think @Tess_Holliday is stunning. Got to love the haters,lets face it they darent do what you do. #lovecurves #lovetattoos— Lucy Webb (@webbylu) May 11, 2015
"I wasn't the best, and I still am not the best. The key to it is just doing it." - Tess Holliday, world's first size-22 model— Adrienne Crista (@adriennecrista) May 20, 2015
FCK YOUR BEAUTY STANDARDS shot for #buzzfeed #tessholliday A photo posted by +Size Model || Feminist (@tessholliday) on May 15, 2015 at 7:26am PDT
Already a hero to many women, the model says she's in the industry to inspire others to love themselves as well.
"The whole reason I do this is to show women that you can be beautiful regardless of your size," she told People. "You are allowed to dress how you want without feeling ashamed of your body."
But the 29-year old wasn't always so confident. Born Ryann Hoven in Laurel, Mississippi, the model saw her fair share of hardships. At the age of nine, her mother was killed in a serious domestic-violence incident that culminated in a bullet wound to the head.
So thrilled that I can finally share these images. I shot with @catherineharbour in London last month & this was the result Thanks to my agent for pushing me out of my comfort zone! MUAH @jamesmichaelbutterfield Top is @dominodollhouse #meetmilk #milkcurve #plusmodel #effyourbeautystandards A photo posted by +Size Model || Feminist (@tessholliday) on May 11, 2015 at 7:43am PDT
"That time's a blur; I chose eating to cope," she admitted.
The teasing and bullying began as she gained more weight.
"I was a size 12 when I was 12," she said to People. "I was shoved into lockers, getting death threats at my house -- it was awful."
Feelin' like a million Hair by @gayofthrones #TessHolliday #fatvanity #mcqueen #effyourbeautystandards A photo posted by +Size Model || Feminist (@tessholliday) on Apr 28, 2015 at 6:52pm PDT
Though she attended plus-sized model castings, she was still shunned for not being the standard definition of traditional beauty.
"They said, 'You have a pretty face, but you're too short and you're too big,'" she recalled of a casting she attended at age 15.
Her career took off when she was 24 and became the star of the A&E series, Heavy. From there, she gained momentum and fans, and found love, now engaged to her fiancee turned manager, Nick Holliday. The two found each other on Tumblr.
After accomplishing so much and busting down doors, what's left? To be a good role-model for her son, Rylee, 10.
"I just want my son to grow up loving himself without any restrictions," she said.