Tess Holliday Profile, Biography, Lists
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Early Life & Background
- Birth Name: Ryann Maegen Hoven, born July 5, 1985 in Laurel, Mississippi, and raised in a family that moved over 40 times before she turned 10.
- Endured childhood bullying over her weight, appearance, and family circumstances; faced family trauma involving her father and her mother’s paralysis after being shot.
Modeling Breakthrough
- Began modelling at 15, standing 5’3″ and US size 16; initially told she was too short and big for mainstream work.
- Moved to Los Angeles in 2010 while working at a dental office; entered modeling competitions and became the first size‑22 woman signed by Milk Model Management in January 2015, making her the largest plus-size model represented by a major agency.
Career Highlights
- Headlined campaigns for brands like Torrid, Monif C, H&M, Benefit Cosmetics, and appeared in Vogue Italia, Marie Claire UK, NYLON, and People magazine (May 2015).
- Prominent runway presence, especially during Fashion Week Spring 2020, where she was celebrated as a breakout star.
Activism & Body Positivity
- Launched the viral hashtag #EffYourBeautyStandards in 2013 to empower women to defy mainstream beauty norms.
- Known for delivering honest takes on body image, mental health, and freedom of choice—she famously stated: “You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t” when facing criticism about using Ozempic.
- Criticized double standards in fashion, like lack of recognition when she wore the viral “Strawberry Dress” before it became trendy.
- Actively advocates for expanded plus-size offerings and joined H&M in 2022 as a consultant to increase inclusive sizing to 4XL.
Other Ventures & Influence
- Authored the memoir The Not So Subtle Art of Being a Fat Girl (2017).
- Launched her own clothing collection, mblm by Tess Holliday, in partnership with Pennington’s in 2016.
- Created and wears #EffYourBeautyStandards merchandise, and speaks at events about size inclusivity and self‑love .
Personal Life & Identity
- Married photographer Nick Holliday in 2015; mother of two sons born in 2005 and 2016; later divorced due to reported abuse.
- Came out as pansexual in 2019 and disclosed in 2021 she was recovering from atypical anorexia.
- At approximately 5’3″ and US size 22–24 (3XL), she proudly displays her heavily tattooed body as a symbol of self-expression.
Legacy & Influence
- Broke industry barriers as the first mainstream size‑22 model signed to a major agency and continues to shape cultural norms.
- With over two million Instagram followers, her influence helped secure a place on Time’s 30 Most Influential People on the Internet in 2016.
- Through her advocacy and consulting roles, she’s instrumental in changing fashion’s approach to inclusivity and representation.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Tess Holliday (Ryann Maegen Hoven) |
| Born | July 5, 1985 |
| Height | 5′3″ |
| Size | US 22–24 (3XL) |
| Children | Two sons |
| Agency | Milk Model Management, Mavrick Artists Agency |
| Social Media | ~2M Instagram followers |
| Movement | #EffYourBeautyStandards |
| Notable Roles | Model, author, activist, consultant |
In Summary
Tess Holliday redefined plus-size modeling by breaking age-old barriers—through advocacy, fashion, and personal courage. Her commitment to change extends from social media movements to high-level fashion partnerships and inspiring real-world conversions. A model and voice for genuine inclusivity, she empowers people everywhere to live unapologetically and demand broader acceptance of all bodies.
CATEGORIES Models
