The September Issue // Modeling // Fiercely Real Model Figure // Whitney: Part One
Fiercely Real Model Figure: Whitney
Part 1: Being Full Figured In A Straight Industry
As the winner of ANTM cycle 10, Whitney Thompson was the first full figured gal to take the title in Top Model history. She recently signed with Wilhelmina Models, was on the cover of Plus Modeling magazine and shot for the Faith 21 line of Forever 21. In part one of our three part interview with Whitney, she lets us in on staying confident and her secrets of being a top model…
How do you stay confident in an industry dominated by straight* models?
The first thing about being a "plus" sized model is knowing that the average American woman is a size 14. Plus what? The average straight model is 5'11" and 117 lbs, thinner than 98% of the population. That being said, it is very important to stay confident. Be confident in your curves and your beauty and NEVER be ashamed to be considered "large" in the industry. What we represent is far more important than skin-deep beauty.
*Straight is the industry term for girls who meet the standard tall, very thin look
Were you always secure in your curves or did you go through a lot to get the confidence you have today?
I spent the first 20 years of my life fighting my genetics. Everyone has at least one thing on their body that they would like to change, and mine was my thighs. I have "cheerleading thighs". I ran, did squats, etc. to try to get rid of them until I finally came to the realization that my mother has cheerleading thighs and my grandmother has cheerleading thighs and that I should be proud of my thighs because they make me different. It's something that I have that not everyone has and I learned to love that!
What are your top tips on how to be a top model?
Practice makes perfect! As narcissistic as it seems, standing in front of the mirror and staring at yourself will make you a better model. You learn what doesn't look good and you avoid it while shooting. As far as runway goes, confidence is key. I like to pretend that I'm Tyra on the runway! Any flaws that I have go out the window and I am a supermodel strutting my stuff like there is no tomorrow. It doesn't matter how ugly the dress is or how high the heels are. Looking confident is what will sell the clothes and what will get you booked time and time again!
Check back next week for part two of our interview with Whitney!
I agree with Megan Coleman People dont have alot of money too do what it takes to become a model. Also if you have an American idol for teens or teen line or something PLEASE let me know too...Bye TyTy
tyra i need your help please!!!! i am 15 years old and im 5-9 and i have blond hair and hazel eyes and i have a very athletic body! my life long dream is to become a famous actress and model! But theres one problem my da ... moretyra i need your help please!!!! i am 15 years old and im 5-9 and i have blond hair and hazel eyes and i have a very athletic body! my life long dream is to become a famous actress and model! But theres one problem my dads been layed off for a year now so we dont have much money to travel or to buy an agent please help me tyra ur my last hope! I have searched everywhere and i would love to do disney ....and if u had a teen line or did an americas next top model for teen that i dont know about please help me im begging you! i have tried searching alot of stars but they never respond! help me!!!
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i would like to thank you for representing the full figure women of today...slim isn't everything...got to have a lil meat on the bones...lol
Whitney is sooo pretty! I really wish I could be a full-figured model. I've been told i should before and even got approached by agencies, but i always felt like I couldn't be one. I don't know why I felt like that, I wa ... moreWhitney is sooo pretty! I really wish I could be a full-figured model. I've been told i should before and even got approached by agencies, but i always felt like I couldn't be one. I don't know why I felt like that, I was always hard on myself. I really hope one day i can b a full-figured model and feel better about myself!
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wow i could never believe that whitney would ever win ANTM because she was like always so jealous of the other girls in the house but she seems like a lovely girl a lovely girl
You ladies are so beautiful, let's show the world what there missing, where all my real size ladies at.
I am 5'11 and used to be a 115 pounds.In two years and after an accident...I got really depressed and gained 90 pounds.I am struggling to lose this weight and have such low self esteem...which I always try to hide.I don' ... moreI am 5'11 and used to be a 115 pounds.In two years and after an accident...I got really depressed and gained 90 pounds.I am struggling to lose this weight and have such low self esteem...which I always try to hide.I don't even know how to dress this new body of mine!
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The only thing that sucks for me is that i'm 5'2 and i really want to model......I've been regetted from alot of places because of my height....ALL I NEED IS ONE YES, AND I'M THERE!!!!!!!!!!
she's goorgeous, i love her precious face.. i never thought that a full-figure woman could be in the fashion industry, i was soo wrong. congrats whitney!!!!
im a full figured but u know what im trying so hard to loose it so that one day when i am about to graduate but im only 12 now but when i graduate i am willing to try and loose more weight so i can try out for antm but ... moreim a full figured but u know what im trying so hard to loose it so that one day when i am about to graduate but im only 12 now but when i graduate i am willing to try and loose more weight so i can try out for antm but for now i am trying and trying to loose it so i can be a size whatever they want you to be! =D
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I really admire whitney. She's confident ans she loves her body. I'm not skinny, I'm a chubby person and that's making me not to feel confident. But i think if I trust myself, I can be like her one day :) Love yah whitne ... moreI really admire whitney. She's confident ans she loves her body. I'm not skinny, I'm a chubby person and that's making me not to feel confident. But i think if I trust myself, I can be like her one day :) Love yah whitney!! :)
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Hi Tyra and Whitney I wa thrilled when Whitney won! Not merely because of the whole plus size model issue, but also because there is beauty, brains and a fantastic personality. Having struggled in my younger days with ... moreHi Tyra and Whitney
I wa thrilled when Whitney won! Not merely because of the whole plus size model issue, but also because there is beauty, brains and a fantastic personality. Having struggled in my younger days with self image, low self asteam and weight, I am passionate about changing young women`s view of what is beautiful and important. My daughter has also had weight issues, and although I always told her how beautiful and special she was, she had a hard time really believing it. Tyra, I cherish how you are a role model for women, thank you! Love to you both! Best wishes Anita
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whitney was my favorite... I was soo happy when she won!!!
and tyra, i just have 2 say, you are SUCH a great rolemodel for females OF EVERY AGE.. young to old. Your truly a breath of fresh air, i love you!!!! Your shows awesome, seriously, you have some of the BEST topics on the ... moreand tyra, i just have 2 say, you are SUCH a great rolemodel for females OF EVERY AGE.. young to old. Your truly a breath of fresh air, i love you!!!! Your shows awesome, seriously, you have some of the BEST topics on the tyra show..VERY REAL!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work hun :)
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shes goregous!!!!!!!!!! and there needs 2 be more full figured models out there, they need 2 change the stature of modeling in general, seriously. IM a thick full figured woman, and i love every inch of my body. and hone ... moreshes goregous!!!!!!!!!! and there needs 2 be more full figured models out there, they need 2 change the stature of modeling in general, seriously. IM a thick full figured woman, and i love every inch of my body. and honestly, EVERY1 needs to realize this... You can ALWAYS change n work on ur body, but u cannot change ur face...unless u got the money 2 fix it. Sooo honestly, id rather have a beautiful face wit a lil exta lbs on me.. cus i can always shed them off!!! :)
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Am full figured , size 12.how do i start to model for plus magazine? its really good that plus size ladies have a chance to show off what their mama gave them! please any one who can help me with info i will be so gratef ... moreAm full figured , size 12.how do i start to model for plus magazine? its really good that plus size ladies have a chance to show off what their mama gave them!
please any one who can help me with info i will be so grateful. their are so many scams out their and am stuck. which states does plus magazine operate in? i live in fairfax VA.
thank you all,
hugs,
monica.
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Whitney is lookin fierce !!! i love all of her photos above Whitney you are beatiful- xoxo Mc
I am veryyyy skinny and I wish I were fully figured!!! All fully figured women and girls out there need to flaunt what they got and be happy about your curves!!! With all these fully figured women stepping up I hope the ... moreI am veryyyy skinny and I wish I were fully figured!!! All fully figured women and girls out there need to flaunt what they got and be happy about your curves!!! With all these fully figured women stepping up I hope there's enough chances to model for us skinny girllss:D
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I couldn't be more excited about a (full figured) woman to have won ANTM.. Go REAL women!!!
im happy because i too are a full figured gril and watching whitney win makes me feel i too can become a sucseful model