Congratulations, for being on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.
That's a big deal.
>> It's a huge deal.
>> Yeah, because a year ago you we're in an ad in it, right?
>> Yes.
>> For swimsuit's for all.
>> Right. >> Which first of all,
was like a dream come true.
When they told me I was gonna be in Sports Illustrated.
I was like wait, so I'm doing a photo shoot for
an ad that's gonna be in Sports Illustrated?
My dreams are coming true.
It didn't matter that it wasn't the actual editorial.
>> Right, but then you land the cover.
>> Yes.
>> So explain what is a plus size model?
>> You know, that's a really good question.
[LAUGH] I've always been told the plus size starts at a size eight, and
it goes up to a size 16, 18.
>> It starts at eight?
>> Yes. So
the majority of this room is considered plus size.
Hope you feel better about yourself, yeah.
>> [LAUGH] >> [LAUGH].
>> That's the problem.
We're telling women that they're plus size.
And for me, I just like to call it curvisexalicious.
>> Curvisexalicious.
>> Yes. >> [APPLAUSE]
>> Well, I think I was kinda shocked
because I think the smallest size when I was younger it was two.
And then, all of a sudden a zero came out and
I didn't even understand what a zero was.
>> No, there's a double zero now.
>> Is there a double zero?
>> Yeah, there's a double zero now.
It's a little scary I mean, on both spectrums of weight.
It's scary.
I'm not a promoters of anorexia.
I'm not a promoter of obesity.
I think we have to promote women that to be healthy at every size as long as
they're getting of the couch and moving their body.
>> Yeah, I think that's the most important thing is being healthy.
And you look healthy and you look great.
>> Thank you.
>> So the magazine has been around for 52 years?
>> 52 years, yeah.
>> So this is the first time in 52 years they put a girl my size on the cover.
>> Wow, well-. >> [APPLAUSE]
>> Thank you.
Yeah. But you know what?
So great is that they had three covers.
>> Right. >> Me, Rhonda, and Haley.
>> Right. >> Three different body types,
three completely different women, and
that truly is a statement to what Sports Illustrated is trying to do.
>> So because I know, because Portia modeled when she was younger,
it's a very unhealthy thing for someone who's 12, 13, 14,
15 years old because you're standing there and they talk about you as if
you're not even there and start criticizing your thighs, your everything.
Which must've really messed you up.
>> You know, words have power.
And when someone's telling you you're too pretty, you're too ugly, you're too fat,
you're too skinny constantly.
And I've been doing this for 16 years now.
You start to believe it.
And you start to think that every word that somebody says that it's true.
And the moment that I realized, you know what,
I don't have to fit in to a certain standard.
I don't have to be a certain kind of woman.
I have to be my own woman, the woman that my mother created me to be.
And that's when my confidence came out.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> It's amazing that as a young girl you
actually figured that out on your own.
>> Well, it took awhile.
>> Because you know, a lot of girls that's what creates anorexia.
A lot of people think you're supposed to look.
But do you think that there's something that's shifting in our society that would
allow them to even go this way?
>> Yes, clearly.
I mean, I believe that Sport's Illustrated is bridging the gap
between what I call straight sized models and what they call plus sized models.
And it's really showing that women of all shapes and sizes and
hopefully races now can be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
>> Yeah well I hope so too.
We need just more diversity in general.
>> In general.
>> So you have your own lingerie line.
>> Yes. >> And you've got to walk
the runway wearing it.
>> Yes you just saw it, yes >> And I also have a swimsuit line
coming out now because they just can't get enough of me in my swimsuit.
>> [LAUGH] >> Well congratulations.
>> Thank you very much.
>> If you walk another runway I have something that may be and it's an idea.
You can wear it, you don't have to.
>> Yes please.
>> Yes, this is very sexy.
>> Yes, it is.
So it's kinda casual and sexy.
>> I'm gonna have to get a wax.
Yeah >> Yeah.
[LAUGH] >> Would you wear that?
>> This is mine, I'm giving it to you.
>> [LAUGH].
>> I think your head could fit in one of these cups.
>> This is what, yes I usually wear it as a hat.
I'm giving it to you.
>> [LAUGH]