Discovering the Challenge
So I’ve been following America’s Next Top Model forever, right? Back in the day, seeing those super skinny girls walk the runway kinda messed with my head. Thought, “No way bigger bodies fit that world.” But this season promised change – actual plus-size models! Made me curious. How do you even walk with that confidence when everyone expects skinny? Had to figure this out myself.
Starting My Own Runway (aka My Living Room)
Grabbed my mom’s old floral curtains (sounds crazy, works great!) and pinned them up like a backdrop. My runway was basically the path from the couch to the TV. First step? Find clothes that didn’t just hide me. Dug out this stretchy black dress I always avoided ’cause it showed my tummy shape, not just drape.
Okay, time to walk. Big mistake starting barefoot. Felt clunky. Remembered Tyra yelling “Fierce!” on TV. Tried jutting my hip out like she does. Almost tripped over my own feet. Embarrassing! My cat watched judgingly.
- Attempt 1: Walked fast, looking down at my feet. Felt awful. Looked scared.
- Attempt 2: Slowed down, tried shoulders back. Stepped on the curtain hem. Total wipeout.
- Attempt 3: Took a deep breath. Stared at the wall like it was judging me. Pushed my shoulders way down, kinda rolled them back. Small steps, then longer ones. Still clumsy but… less disaster?
The Clothes Hunt & Fake Makeover
My closet was a sea of baggy sweaters. Useless! Hit up my friend Liz, who loves thrifting. Found this loud, patterned wrap dress – perfect ’cause you can adjust it. Borrowed her cheap sewing kit. Took in the sides just a tiny bit near the waist, not for tightness, just to avoid it flapping open wildly when I turned. Didn’t stitch great, used safety pins underneath like armor.
Makeup? Watched ANTM makeup tutorials. Panic stations. Contouring is hard! Dabbed bronzer under my cheekbones like they showed. Ended up looking dirty. Wiped most off, kept the mascara and a strong lipstick. Bold lip = instant confidence boost, somehow.
The Grand (Living Room) Finale
Cleared all the coffee table clutter. Put on loud club music – needed that beat. Wore my old Walmart strappy heels. Knew I’d wobble, practiced walking straight lines barefoot for an hour before strapping them on. Taped the seams of that dress inside to stop wardrobe malfunctions.
Pressed play on my phone music. Deep breath. Remembered Tyra’s smize thing – squinched my eyes up. Felt silly at first. Focused straight ahead. Started slow, shoulders back like I practiced. Did a tiny pause and turn at the “end” (the TV stand). Didn’t fall! Didn’t trip! Actually smiled. My cat ran off, unimpressed. But I felt it. That spark. Like owning the space instead of apologizing for being in it.
The Big Takeaway?
It wasn’t about being perfect. It was about pushing past that voice whispering, “You don’t belong here.” Found out confidence is like a weird jacket you gotta break in. Felt stiff and awkward at first, doing those walks alone. But forcing myself to stand tall, take up space, not shrink… that changed something. Seeing bigger girls on ANTM fight for their spotlight? Yeah, it’s real. Takes guts. Way harder than it looks. My little living room project? It felt like winning a tiny war against my own doubts.
