The Truth About Victoria’s Secret’s First Plus-Size Model
While being a model has its perks (worldwide admiration doesn’t sound too shabby), Ali Tate-Cutler has admitted that, especially as a plus-size model surrounded by traditionally thin models, her mental health has suffered over the years. “I agree that the fashion industry lends itself to mental health issues,” she told New York City-based health and beauty shop ATEM. “I definitely started encountering my own issues when I became a model. The fluid nature that comes with our industry focusing on ‘the next big thing’ or what is considered attractive gets to a model’s head.”
Even from a young age, the struggle to accept her curvy body impacted her mental health. In fact, in her earliest years as a professional model, Tate-Cutler attempted to fit in with the status quo by restricting her diet. She detailed these struggles in a post on her Instagram, in which she called this particular affliction “disordered eating.” As she stated in her interview with ATEM, Tate-Cutler has worked to overcome these issues by realizing that happiness does not come from “what we buy, what we wear, or how we look.”
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website or contact NEDA’s Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).
