Curvy model sends positive message with revealing billboard: 'Being fat isn't a burden'

Maggie Parker
Photo: Instagram/palomija
Photo: Instagram/palomija

It’s not every day you see an average-size woman, curves and all, on a massive billboard in a major city — until now. For Glossier’s latest product launch of an oil-based body wash and body lotion combo called Body Hero, the brand showcased five women with very different body types.

Look, I've never done nude before. I cried 3 times before this shoot. I cried because I still feel scared, paralyzed by insecurity at times, and exhausted by an unfettered vulnerability that I want to present to the world. As I paced the upstairs bathroom of @springstudios I chanted to myself "this isn't for you paloma. this isn't about you. get out of your ego. be of service" over and over until the anxiety subsided and I was convinced of the mantras which guide me through many jobs, most importantly this one. I did this to show that being fat isn't a burden. Being fat isn't ugly or shameful. To prove to one person that it isn't BRAVE to be fat, but bountiful. And for that young girl looking on instagram, or walking down Spring st, that she is fucking perfect despite the precarious and irresponsible versions of beauty we are urged to digest. I love you @glossier thank you for this incredible opportunity, for clearing the set, for wiping my tears, for playing SWV, and for helping me shed my insecurities in pursuit of greater impact and awareness #bodyhero

A post shared by Paloma Elsesser (@palomija) on Sep 14, 2017 at 2:00pm PDT

Curvy model Paloma Elsesser, one of the subjects, recently took to Instagram to share her experience.

“I cried 3 times before this shoot,” she admitted. She chalked this up to the fact that despite her success in the modeling world, she still feels scared and even paralyzed by insecurity at times and “exhausted by an unfettered vulnerability that I want to present to the world.” However, it was realizing what her participation would mean for women everywhere that helped her face her fears. “As I paced the upstairs bathroom of @springstudios I chanted to myself ‘this isn’t for you paloma. this isn’t about you. get out of your ego. be of service’ over and over until the anxiety subsided and I was convinced of the mantras which guide me through many jobs, most importantly this one.”

She added that she participated “to show that being fat isn’t a burden. Being fat isn’t ugly or shameful. To prove to one person that it isn’t BRAVE to be fat, but bountiful. And for that young girl looking on instagram, or walking down Spring st, that she is f***ing perfect despite the precarious and irresponsible versions of beauty we are urged to digest.” She ended her caption by professing her love for Glossier and thanking the brand for the opportunity, “for clearing the set, for wiping my tears, for playing SWV, and for helping me shed my insecurities in pursuit of greater impact and awareness #bodyhero.”

Elsesser’s not the only one overjoyed with the casting. Her fans are celebrating this major accomplishment in modeling by reposting the photo and commenting on her post.

“These pictures of you are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Thank you Paloma. You help me love me,” one woman commented. “I love this campaign. It is important for everyone to see that bodies come in many varieties, not just the slender and stickly. As a female, I found #bodyhero to be a breath of fresh air and empowering. Even thinking, ‘f***ing finally.’ I hope more companies choose this approach and choose to celebrate all women. It’s refreshing,” said another. “You made me cry.. So deep. You are of service @palomija. You have probably saved a few lives today. Gorgeous inside and out. Thank you for sharing. So brave,” wrote a third. “You are an inspiration and a total badass! Gorgeous!” one follower put it, plain and simple. “This is so inspiring especially for me since I have body image issues because of my weight. Thank you for showing that all bodies are beautiful!”

She is my real life hero! #hero #curvygirl #Repost @palomija (@get_repost) ・・・ Look, I've never done nude before. I cried 3 times before this shoot. I cried because I still feel scared, paralyzed by insecurity at times, and exhausted by an unfettered vulnerability that I want to present to the world. As I paced the upstairs bathroom of @springstudios I chanted to myself "this isn't for you paloma. this isn't about you. get out of your ego. be of service" over and over until the anxiety subsided and I was convinced of the mantras which guide me through many jobs, most importantly this one. I did this to show that being fat isn't a burden. Being fat isn't ugly or shameful. To prove to one person that it isn't BRAVE to be fat, but bountiful. And for that young girl looking on instagram, or walking down Spring st, that she is fucking perfect despite the precarious and irresponsible versions of beauty we are urged to digest. I love you @glossier thank you for this incredible opportunity, for clearing the set, for wiping my tears, for playing SWV, and for helping me shed my insecurities in pursuit of greater impact and awareness #bodyhero

A post shared by Abby Hamessley (@abbydham) on Sep 14, 2017 at 5:00pm PDT

@glossier is my g spot. Thank you for this representation. Thank you to all the beautiful models in this campaign. Thank you to @palomija for having the courage to pose. Thank you to all the companies who are actually listening to their customers. We want untouched. We want representation across the board. We want to see ourselves on billboards. We want relatable. This just gave me an extra 7 years of life. This just exfoliated my skin and lit candles. Thank you #glossier

A post shared by Stephanie Beile (@stephannbeile) on Sep 14, 2017 at 4:24pm PDT

I really quite love this campaign from @glossier – as @palomija says "despite the precarious and irresponsible versions of beauty we are urged to digest" #bodyhero #dontfallforthebullshit

A post shared by DoYourResearch (@doyour_research) on Sep 14, 2017 at 4:22pm PDT

This campaign and it's message are so very important. Thank you @Glossier and to all the fearless women behind and in front of the lens. #BodyHero

A post shared by Jamie Baratta (@jamie_baratta) on Sep 13, 2017 at 5:32pm PDT

Consensus? Elsesser truly is a hero.

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