In Full Figure

Last year, I told myself I was going to try new things. What I recognized was that “trying new things” actually meant stepping out of my comfort zone. Which, in hindsight, explains why I hadn’t really been doing that at all.

Over the summer, while I was looking for a job, I came across a TORRID casting event. As someone who’s been plus size my entire life, this wasn’t an opportunity I had ever seen before. Then again, I also didn’t start shopping at Torrid until I fully accepted that I am plus size and that this is the kind of store I should be shopping at.

When I read about the casting event, I thought this is exactly the kind of thing I should at least consider. It felt like one of those opportunities that shouldn’t go to waste. I’ve always liked the idea of being in front of the camera, maybe even modeling one day like my mother. Torrid was offering an actual opportunity to do that.

The process itself was simple enough. Submit an application, take a few photos, and record a video explaining why I wanted to be a Torrid model and why I’d be a good fit. There was also an in-person casting event happening in Los Angeles.

A couple of months before that, I had wanted to go to the Big Girls event in Nashville hosted by Emma Arletta. Unfortunately, no one was available to go with me, and I was too scared to go alone. So that opportunity passed me by, and I didn’t want that to happen again.

I knew I wanted to do this, but I was still scared.

The last time I had been on a plane was over ten years ago. And let’s be honest, 2025 was not the best year for planes. I had already convinced myself that I wasn’t getting on one any time soon.

My plan was to just apply online, submit the photos and video, and hope for the best. I mentioned the casting event to my dad, partly because I thought maybe he’d want to go to LA. I brought it up casually, and within minutes he had his laptop out looking at flights for the first week of October. He told me I should go with my mom. I called her to see if she’d be willing to come with me. But while I was on the phone with her, my dad had already bought the tickets.

(I’m starting to understand where my impulsivity comes from.)

I hadn’t felt butterflies like that in a long time. I’ve been nervous before, but this felt different because there was no backing out. The tickets were bought. I was going to LA.

At that point, I didn’t even know if I wanted to apply. The idea of making a video and posting it online meant publicly admitting that I was trying—and possibly failing—at something. That alone felt overwhelming.

I decided I would at least go to the event. The tickets were already booked and I’d always wanted to visit LA. I told myself I’d decide whether or not to apply after.

On the day of the event, I wore a black tank top, skinny jeans, and a belt—all from Torrid.

When we arrived at the headquarters, everyone was incredibly kind. I was surrounded by people who looked like me, shared similar experiences, and were genuinely happy to be there.

Most of my life, being plus size came with a lot of impostor syndrome. My friends were always smaller than me, and I constantly felt inferior in comparison. But for the first time, I actually felt like I belonged. 

Cliché, but true.

There were so many beautiful people there, and just standing in line I made four new friends. There were content stations everywhere: videos, touch-ups, photos, even keychain making. There was an empanada food truck, an ice cream truck, and a dance floor where people were catwalking, dancing, and having fun. The energy was unreal.

No one was trying to outshine anyone else. Everyone showed up as themselves, styled how they wanted, comfortable and confident in their bodies. It was genuinely empowering to be a part of it.

After touch-ups and photos (which were used for our applications), we met with the judges. I introduced myself and talked about how Torrid’s plus-size empowerment campaigns had a great effect on me. 

That’s easier said than done, but I applied anyway, and I’m proud of myself for that. If you don’t see my face on Torrid’s site, you can probably guess the outcome—and that’s okay. I still got to experience something incredible and take a trip to LA because of it.

I’m sure Torrid will do another casting event, and if they do, I encourage you to try. Put yourself out there. You’ll meet people who support you and hype you up. 

And maybe because you did, I’ll see you as the face of the next Torrid campaign.