CARMEN SMITH: Be want you want to be; not stuck in this weird box that society wants
to keep us in. Our differences make us beautiful.
KAHARI JUMAL: What do you want? CARMEN SMITH: Turkey sandwich, turkey sandwich.
So are you excited for my lingerie shoot today? KAHARI JUMAL: I’m always excited for your shoots.
CARMEN SMITH: I haven’t even tried on what
I am modelling in. KAHARI JUMAL: No?
CARMEN SMITH: No.
KAHARI JUMAL: Are you going to try it on before the shoot?
CARMEN SMITH: No. You are going to have to
wait to see it, just like everyone else. KAHARI JUMAL: Oh, nice surprise. I like your surprises.
CARMEN SMITH: My mom tells me that I was about three when she noticed that something was
going on. I was complaining a lot that my feet hurt. She took me to the doctor and they
diagnosed me with lymphedema stating that most likely, I was born without some of my
lymph nodes. Your lymph nodes and your lymphatic system are supposed to be moving fluids through
your body. So in my case, the blockage is in my legs. So that’s why there is swelling and discomfort.
CARMEN SMITH: So today we are getting ready to do a photoshoot and we really want to focus
on body positivity, so we’re doing lingerie. This one is a little risque but we are going
for it today - pushing our boundaries.
CARMEN SMITH: I always tell my followers on Instagram to embrace our bodies at every step
of our journey.
CARMEN SMITH: I get a lot of comments from women who say, ‘Oh, my husband would never
let me wear it, do that or wear something like that.’ What do you think of them? I mean,
what would you say to those husbands? KAHARI JUMAL: Don’t be so insecure.
CARMEN SMITH: And I don’t feel like anyone else should be making a choice for your body.
KAHARI JUMAL: No, you make your choice. You’re a grown woman.
CARMEN SMITH: Alright, so I am going to show you a couple of pictures from growing up.
As I have gotten older, my lymphedema has progressed. I do remember you know, they would look at
my feet or say something about them and it would just make me like horrified and so uncomfortable
and embarrassed. To this day, honestly I’ve, I don’t like people looking at my feet.
This was like classic pose because I always was trying to hide my right foot. Because
my right foot was always bigger, always more swollen and only wear flip-flops because that
was the only dang shoes that would fit my chubby feet.
CARMEN SMITH: I would get weird comments from guys or they would ask my friend like,
“Hey, what’s wrong with her legs?”
CARMEN SMITH: The turning point for me was telling myself that I have to start being
in a more positive mental space and you know, saying I am not going to be defined by what
somebody else has to say about my body.
CARMEN SMITH: Getting ready for the photo shoot.
KAHARI JUMAL: She was walking by and the first thing I noticed was her stature, as she walked
by and I thought, ‘Oh wow, wow!’ It’s, all I could say was wow.
KAHARI JUMAL: It looked good. That was my first impression of Carmen, the first time I saw her.
CARMEN SMITH: The way my boyfriend makes me feel about my body is something honestly that
I wish every woman could experience. A partner who empowers you and encourages you to love
your body, the way they see it. It will change the way that you see yourself. And for me,
he was and has been a huge part of me being able to do what I do. Alright, I think we’re ready.
EFREN CORDOBA: Lingerie normally isn’t shot right here.
CARMEN SMITH: Right. EFREN CORDOBA: But you are a warrior.
CARMEN SMITH: I had this concept to include some signage. So this is the hashtag that
I use all the time. A lot of people will find me using this.
CARMEN SMITH: Positive reactions on Instagram make me know that I am doing what I am supposed
to do, 100%. I was thinking just black pumps or do you want blue?
EFREN CORDOBA: I don’t want any shoes. CARMEN SMITH: What? Fine.
EFREN CORDOBA: Cool. CARMEN SMITH: Whatever you say.
EFREN CORDOBA: I love it.
CARMEN SMITH: The women who are in my inbox saying, ‘Hey, my legs look like yours. I
have never seen anybody whose body looks like mine. You know, thank you for putting yourself
out there. You are making me feel comfortable.’ That stuff is big, you know. I do feel that
this photoshoot is different for me because it’s completely focused on my lymphedema and my legs.
CARMEN SMITH: Okay, so I am going to get changed then.
EFREN CORDOBA: Alright.
EFREN CORDOBA: I like this shoes, I do. I think it’s cool, it’s fluffy.
CARMEN SMITH: Are we ready for the de-robing? EFREN CORDOBA: Yes.
CARMEN SMITH: I describe my self image now as you know, I just love, I love myself and
I can say that 99% of the time you know, I am only human. So of course I have my bad days.
EFREN CORDOBA: Cross your legs.
EFREN CORDOBA: Maybe not.
CARMEN SMITH: Lets just not cross my legs. EFREN CORDOBA: Alright cool.
CARMEN SMITH: I can’t cross the legs and fall back.
EFREN CORDOBA: It’s fine, it’s fine.
CARMEN SMITH: Okay, I am ready for look two. I feel like a princess whenever I wear this..
CARMEN SMITH: Nobody is perfect but if you know, 9 times out of 10 I can wake up and
say you know, you are doing a good job, you are taking care of your body, you like what
you see when you look in the mirror, then I think you know, if we could all do that,
honestly this world would be a whole lot more positive than it is now.
EFREN CORDOBA: Carmen, we are wrapped. We got some good ones, as we always do.
CARMEN SMITH: The signs were my favourite part, I think, of today. So..
EFREN CORDOBA: Next, you have your hashtag ready to go for posting? Are you ready to like, command?
CARMEN SMITH: You know, I am always ready.
And I am always bugging you because I am annoying. I am ready today because I am always so excited
about what we have.