In 2008, when Whitney Lee Thompson emerged the winner of the modeling competition series “America’s next top model” hosted by Tyra Banks, little did she know that her win would pave the way for many other models like her.
Her victory gave hundreds, even thousands of plus-size women, the confidence boost they needed to pursue their passion in modeling.
Today we’re going to be discussing plus-size Latinas, who have, despite all odds, emerged as beauty
Queens and have given plus-size women all over the world the confidence to love themselves as they are.
1. Barbie Ferreria
This American model and actress of Brazilian descent was born on December 14, 1996. She started her modeling career as a teenager and has grown into a household name. Dabbling into acting a few times and even directed the music video for the “so cool” song. Barbie Ferreria, over the years, has worked with designers such as Aerie, ASOS, Forever 21, and Target. All these works have earned her awards, such as the Webby Awards and Teen vogue. This pretty Latina has sure stormed the industry and changed the narrative.
2. Vanessa Romo
American plus-size model, Instagram star, and social media personality have been featured at models LA, Wilhelmina LDN, and many more. This Latina, with black hair and hazel eyes, has a net worth of $300k and is well on her way to gaining more. She’s 5 foot 5 inches tall. Going against all odds in the fashion industry, Vanessa has gained so much popularity and wealth. This plus-size beauty has so much more to offer, and we are here for it.
3. Grisel Paula
Her Instagram handle is @griselangel. This sexy Latina has 13.5k followers on Instagram and has over 2700 posts put together. Paula started modeling right from college and has since been a voice advocating for plus-size women. She believes that “there isn’t only one standard of beauty,” and that’s why she founded and is the CEO of Rebdolls clothing brand, whose core belief is providing #sexyforall. Emigrated from the Dominican Republic to America and is making women of all body types, sizes, and colors feel sexy.
4. Dana Patterson
You can check out this goddess on Instagram @ danaisabellaaa. With a whopping 432k followers, Dana is an American plus-size model and social media celebrity. She is represented by an LA modeling agency, and she’s modeled for top designers such as Dior, YSL, Beauty, and Pixi by Petra. She is 5 feet 6 inches tall; her hobbies include singing, dancing, and writing, with a net worth of $700k as of 2021. This 29-year-old model has been making big moves over the last decade, and we are sure there’s still more of her we are yet to see.
5. Anastasia Furrow
With over 4200 posts and 51.4k followers on Instagram (@anastasia.furrow) and other social media platforms. Anastasia is from Utah, USA, and is represented by NIYA management. Anastasia keeps her personal life very private, so most people don’t know so much about her outside her work. She has traveled to countries like Brazil, London, and Switzerland and has a net worth of $400k. Another personal information we could get about this beauty is her hair and eye color. (Like that would be hidden after all her amazing photos). She has brown hair and brown eyes. Wish we could tell you more.
6. Fluvia Lacerda – @fluvialacerda
Born on July 31, 1980, Fluvia is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With over 4000 posts on Instagram, she has so much attention, and that’s evident from her 376k followers. Fluvia is married with a net worth of $500k. She is an Instagram star and writer and has posed for top magazines like Vogue, Haly slink magazine, etc. She has also been featured by top designers such as Forever 21, Savage x Fenty, and Fashion Nova Curve. Fluvia has hazel-colored eyes and brown hair.
7. Paloma Elsesser
She is a citizen of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Switzerland. She is 5 foot, 7.5 inches tall; she has black hair and brown eyes. Born on April 12, 1992, this model has a degree in psychology and literature from the New school, New York. The IMG model agency represents Paloma. Pat McGrath discovered her on Instagram, took her, and turned her fortune around. She has modeled for Fenty, Nike, and Mercedes-Benz and has appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine in its January 2021 issue. Her acting career debuted in 2019 when she featured in the movie “Safdie brothers” and “Uncut gems.”
8. Jennifer Barreto – Leyva
With 20.4k followers on Instagram and over 2000 posts, Jennifer Barreto has been a modeling sensation for years. She is the world’s first Latina plus-size model worldwide. Jennifer said being called ugly and a monster as a child was extremely difficult to deal with. As a Latina, she wasn’t appreciated, so she has dedicated her time, energy, and resources to see that young Latinas no longer have to endure such times. She is all for body positivity.
Aftear reading our article, Jennifer shared this on her instagram profile:
For me it was and still is very important that every girl, teenager and woman understands that they are beautiful and valuable regardless of their size, skin color or any other physical characteristic.
Jennifer Barreto – Leyva
9. Cleo Fernandes
Cleo won Miss Brasil plus size competition back in 2012. Born on May 4, 1987, in Brazil, this 35-year-old plus-size model was dubbed her “hottest body” industry back in 2013, represented by the Ford curve. On Instagram, she has 142k followers, and her handle is @ cleofernandes.
10. Alessandra Garcia Lorido
Instagram handle @ alessandragl with 107k followers and 997 posts; this Los Angeles-born model is the daughter of famous Hollywood actor Andy Garcia. She may not be new to the glitz and glam of the celebrity lifestyle, but she’s undoubtedly making a difference in it. The beautiful model is represented by the IMG agency. She has worked with Christian Siriano and has catalog gigs with Lane Bryant and Target. Amongst other things, Alessandra says she loves to cook and has cooked lots of time for her friends.
11. Sheila Lopez
Has 19.8k followers on Instagram and has continued to influence her immediate community positively. Her favorite quote is, “Always believe that the impossible is always possible.” Born in the South of Texas, she is a model and content creator who has worked with brands like GoDaddy, GRL collective, and Zeano Designs. She’s featured in magazines such as USA Today, Cosmopolitan, and Hip Latina, to mention a few. She began her blogging site in 2014, where she shares her experience as a plus-size model and all the challenges it’s thrown at her. Her favorite clothing brands are Christian Siriano, Modcloth, Ashley Stewart, and Lane Bryant.
12. Maria Luiza Mendes – @ mlamendes,
Maria Luiza has 289k followers on Instagram and 2044 posts. Maria is a Brazilian model and social media celebrity who has worked with swimsuit brands such as Manly, Brizza Arezzo Abrace, etc. She weighs around 64kg and is 5 feet 7inches tall. She is originally from São Paulo, Brazil, and loves Italian and Chinese food. She is signed to Mega model agency and has worked with top Brasil brands like Phew, Morisco, Intimus fashion, and Suzani.
13. Denise Mercedes
Born October 23, 1991, this Dominican-American beauty believes she can change the narrative about plus-sized women. She’s a plus-size model herself and a clothing designer. She works with the clothing line Rebdolls, founded by Gristle Paula. She has been featured on Buzzfeed, Refinery 29, and so on. She founded the campaign #becauseitsmybody in 2017. This campaign is a collaborative photography campaign that encourages body positivity. She is represented by MSA NYC and has been in the modeling business since age 13. In 2012 she started a fashion blog for plus-size women.
14. Natalia Lorenzo @lordenzo_
Natalia Lorenzo is 5 feet 9 inches tall. She and her parents moved to the US when she was seven, and she has since learned to experience life from a different lens. Her career kicked off in 2017 after she was featured in a popular modeling exhibition titled “The Art of Beauty.” This Colombian beauty has brown eyes and dark brown hair. Little is known about her family, relationship status, or net worth.
15. Christina Mendes
Born March 13, 1981, Christina was one of the first plus-size models to be featured in Baby phat, Apple bottoms, Sofia Vergara, and Ashely Stewart. In 2009 Fox news named her the “most notable top plus size model in the industry.” At the same time, she was declared the most influential Latina in the fall of 2009 by the same agency. Christina is a media personality, Joseito Mateo’s granddaughter, and an artist. She is 5 foot 9inches tall, has Auburn-colored hair, and has accomplished so much in the fashion industry, all of which are well documented on her website @ www.christinaendez.com.
16. Jessica Torres
Asides from her Instagram page, @ thisisjessicatorres, she also has a YouTube channel for her podcast @ fatgirlclubpodcast, where she talks about her stories as a plus-size model in a contemporary world that only values skinny women. She says fashion has always been a medium to express herself. She takes pride in discovering new brands and experimenting with fashion pieces. Born on June 30, 1991, and brought up in Loja, Ecuador, Jessica has become a household name in the plus-size modeling industry. She promotes make-up, fashion, apparel, sports, and lingerie. She is the brand ambassador for ASOS, Ungrateful, etc.
17. Lornalitz Baez
With 42k Instagram followers and 468 posts, Lornalitz combines modeling with acting and entrepreneurship. Lornalitz Baez (born May 3, 1987) is a significant force in the modeling industry. She has worked for brands like Baby phat, Lady Enyce, and DaDa. She has also featured in TV shows Model Latina and Project Runway. Baez started modeling at 12 and would go on to finish as first runner-up at “The Miss Puerto-Rico national day pageantry.” She graduated from Magna Cum Laude with a degree in business. Lornalitz Baez has featured in different ads for Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Andrew Walmart. She’s also featured in a few movies, most notably “Las Vegas vampires.”
18. Denise Bidot
Instagram handle @ denisebidot, with 743k followers and 3493 posts. Born on June 30, 1986, in Miami, Florida. She is an American plus-size model known for her lifestyle movement “There’s no wrong way to be a woman.” Born to a model, too, she started acting at age 12; then, at 18, she started asking frequent trips to California to pursue her career in acting. After being turned down severally for her weight, she focused on her make-up skills. In 2014, she became the first plus-size model to walk the runway for two straight brands during the New York fashion week. She then worked with Target, Nordstrom, and Forever 21 and featured on TV shows, including nuvoTv curvy girls.
19. Jessica Milagros
Instagram handle @ jmilagrosplus. With 88.9k followers and 1662 posts, she has caught the attention of many. Born October 14, 1981. She has been described as affectionate, charismatic, and creative. Her role in the Big brother CBS show season 21 shot her to fame. In the Plus model magazine and Dorathy Combs models search, she came in the second position, further boosting her fame. Jessica Milagros is married to James Steve, and they have a daughter named Sabrina. She is 5 foot 9 inches tall and weighs 64kg.
20. Roxy Margarita Reyes
Instagram handle @ theroxyreyes, with 75.7k followers and 643 posts. Born on December 25, but the year isn’t known. She is signed to LA models Runway. She is 5 foot 8 inches tall, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. She often shares her enthusiasm for fitness and weight lifting on social media platforms. Roxy also oversees the corporate office of the good American brand Boo-hoo. Aside from being a model, she is also a blogger, and her net worth is said to be $1m in 2022.
21. Rosie Mercado
Born on March 28, 1980, Rosie Mercado is an American plus-size model, Tv personality, celebrity make-up artist, and fashion designer of Mexican descent. She starred in the reality TV show “curvy girls” on nuvoTv, and on the National Geographic channel’s ”Taboo“. She is a special correspondent and life coach on the TV show “The Doctors and Dr. Phil.” She also co-hosts the entertainment talk show “Face the Truth.” Rosie is married with four children. She started working at age 15 and launched her first collection of dresses in 2013, celebrating the beauty of plus-size women.
22. Ashley Pêna
With 19k followers and only 75 posts, Ashley Pêna uses her Instagram to promote body positivity and self-image acceptance. Born on March 12, 1997, this 27-year-old model and photographer is making waves in the plus-size model industry. She is an Instagram star and is associated with Rose Hartley for promoting body positivity.
23. Ana Laura
Ana Laura is a model and influencer based in New York City. This mixed-race descent of Portuguese and Brazilian has modeled for “plus night out” for three years, from 2013 to 2015. She has also been involved in fundraising fashion shows and modeled for “SimplyBe’s Autumn/winter launch events. Ana Laura is one of the faces of the #mermaidthighs movement. Her modeling career started in high school, and she has since worked with brands like Eddy and Bri boutique, Rue107, pop-up, Eloqua, and smart glamour in various campaigns. She says her first interest was photography, but modeling got the better part of her.
24. Frankie Tavares
A blogger, model, entrepreneur, influencer, and philanthropist with 146k followers and 801 posts on Instagram. Although originally from Puerto – Rico, Frankie has since relocated to New York. She says her style icons are Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce because both ladies always set the bar and keep the standards high. They are never caught off fresh, no matter the occasion. Her career started when she entered a model search for Monif C and won. Her winning paved the way for her to get featured in the 2015 swimsuit campaign. Since then, she has worked with fashion to figure, free country apparel, Posh mark, and designer Bryon Lars.
