Plus Size Model Running: Erica Jean Is First Plus Size Model To Appear On ‘Women’s Running’ Magazine
A plus size model running on the cover of Women’s Running Magazine is making headlines this week. According to Fox 411, Erica Jean, 18, was the first-ever plus size model to appear on the cover of the magazine.
Erica Schenk opens up about her groundbreaking Women’s Running cover: http://t.co/HiIMR3a2J8 pic.twitter.com/PxMjg6f5Zl
— E! Online (@eonline) July 20, 2015
Erica Jean talked to Fox 411 about the photo shoot and about how she feels about being on the cover of a fitness magazine.
“I think that most fitness magazines are showing women that are size 2, size 4 and they don’t show many women that are plus size, unless it’s on the inside, and it’s a little story, and this is the first time that a plus size woman has been covered in social media and any sort of media, and so it’s good that we are starting to have a presence because that’s what we need to step forward with body acceptance,” Jean said.
The plus size model running on the magazine cover has reignited chatter about body image, and what it means to be plus size. Erica Jean says that she prefers to call herself a “curve model,” and women shouldn’t look at a size 0 or a size 2 and think that’s the only “healthy” way to live.
“The plus-size industry is a business and as a plus-size model, if that’s what they would like to call me, that’s fine, but as a Wilhelmina model we call ourselves ‘curve models,’ which is a little bit different in the sense that we don’t feel so plus size as people put that label on us. Just like the size 0 or 2 we’re something that women can look to and go, ‘Wow, I can be like that!’ It’s not something unattainable. It’s something women can look to and go, ‘I can be healthy and I can be happy but it’s not a size 0, it’s not a size 2,'” Jean explained.
The plus size model running is meant to “empower” women. According to BBC News, the response on social media has been mixed, but many women are responding positively to the new cover.
“I almost cried when I opened my mailbox and seen a thick girl like me ON THE COVER. Thank you @womensrunning.”
“@womensrunning Makes me wonder if I can run…? Maybe it’s time to stop worrying what others think and just do it?”
Other plus size models have been in the news quite a bit this year. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, plus size model Tess Holliday graced the cover of People Magazine on June 1.
[Photo via Instagram]
