OINTB's Danielle Brooks Is Finally the Girl She Always Wanted to Be

From Cosmopolitan

After a handful of the world's most beautiful women came strutting down a catwalk overlooking NYC's East River at the Christian Siriano x Lane Bryant runway show today, out came actress Danielle Brooks to close the show. Wearing a flowing gown the color of sunshine and lemons, she raised her arms up in the air as the crowd cheered.

Brooks, who plays Taystee on Orange Is the New Black, is the face of the new collection, but she had never modeled in a show before today. "It was such a rush," she said. "I am so glad I had so many women backstage to help me to know when to, like, make sure that I'm walking in the middle and not too far to the right. They were so helpful."

Brooks spoke to Cosmopolitan.com about embracing her body as it is and why she decided to post a shirtless gym selfie last year.

What is it like now to be part of this body-positivity movement? You know what? I always hoped to be that girl that I wanted [to be] when I was younger, and to be that person is really incredible.

What do you mean "to be that girl"? When I was growing up, there weren't too many women that really embraced being curvy, especially in television. Now I get to be that person that says I love who I am. I don't have to change. I don't have to go on some crazy diet.

Have you ever felt compelled to do that? I'm not saying I haven't felt compelled to do it, but I'm embracing who I am. Being comfortable in my skin has really led me to all of these beautiful opportunities. If I were trying to change who I was, then none of this would have manifested.

How long did it take you to get comfortable with yourself? It started with Orange Is the New Black, really. It was when I first booked that job and they made me a series regular. That's when I realized I'm perfect the way I am. When I went in and they asked me to [audition] with no makeup and with my natural hair, it just was like, OK, yeah, there is a place for me in this business.

So that was how they asked you to audition? As yourself?Yes. As an inmate, but yes. At the time, I was auditioning for mothers that had kids and at the time I was 21 and I was like, I'm so young. Or I'd have to play the big, fat, funny woman, you know? I found a spot for me that got to show all of the colors. Now I get to really show the world and other girls that want to be in this career that they can do it too and they just need to embrace who they are. Don't try to be anyone that you aren't.

I feel like you really went to another level of embracing your body when you posted that gym selfie, just you in your bra. What made you do that? There are so many things that hold you back when you're a curvy girl because society tells you you're not supposed to do certain things. Even wearing this dress - this is the first time I've ever worn a dress this low-cut.

No way! Were you afraid? Yes. I mean, you want to do it right. You want to feel comfortable and you want to do it in a classy way. There are so many things that you're told you're not supposed to do because of whatever society tells you. So, that's why I posted that picture. I was like, "No, I want to go to the gym with my shirt off. I want to have that freedom within myself. This is my body. I love it. Why should I be ashamed of it because you're uncomfortable?" I did it and everybody liked it.

Do you feel happier now? I do. I never thought that I'd be on a runway wearing Lane Bryant with Christian Siriano's name on the back of the label. It's pretty surreal in a lot of ways.

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