Tess Holliday is officially a cover model!
The 29-year-old social media star, body positive activist and mother of a nine-year-old son, graces the cover of People Magazine’s 2015 body issue -- and the results could not be any more stunning.
In the photo shot by James White, Holliday radiates confidence with hands on hips and a wide glowing smile, wearing a black bodysuit with long lace arms and leggings.
In an interview with TODAY, Holliday said she broke into tears when she saw herself on the cover.
"It's crazy," she said. "I've been reading it since I was a kid, so to be on the cover is surreal."
In January, Holliday became the first woman of her size (22) and height (5’5”) to be signed by a major modelling agency. And ever since she has been taking the fashion world by storm.
"My phone still hasn't stopped ringing," Holliday told People. "It's good, but it's a lot!"
Holliday's journey to becoming a cover star hasn't been easy. She first attempted to break into the modelling industry 14 years ago, but faced rejections due to her weight and height. She has also been vocal about her experience with bullying in high school.
"I was getting shoved into lockers, I was being called names," she told People. "I was getting death threats at my house. It was awful."
But Holliday didn't let the negativity hold her down. Instead, she channeled her frustrations into spearheading the #EffYourBeautyStandards movement that has inspired countless women to embraces their bodies.
“I have this passion inside of me to help other women feel confident and comfortable in their bodies, regardless of their size or what society tells them is beautiful,” Holliday told People. “It’s like a calling.”
Holliday's modelling career is only just getting started. She shared her ultimate goal with TODAY: the cover of Vogue Magazine.
We can’t wait to see what’s in store for Holliday next!
For more from Holliday, listen to her interview with People here, and be sure to pick up the latest issue of People when it hits newsstands this Friday.
