Garnet Report

Twenty four year old Whitney Thompson, the cycle 10 winner of America’s next Top Model and the first plus-size model to win, sat down for an interview with the Garnet Report. Whitney shared some insight into the controversial and cutthroat world of the modeling industry.

Before America’s Next Top Model

From an early age, Whitney had worked with the modeling industry. But because of the ongoing pressure of not being “good enough” or “thin enough” she gave it up at the age of 16. “I was actually a college student at the University of North Florida, and I was a Biology major, studying to be a doctor.”

It was on spring break in LA, when Whitney was first confronted with the idea of participating in America’s Next Top Model.

“It was kinda funny, I was buying a candy bar in an airport, and a lady just walked up to me. It was really random. I ended up calling her the next Monday, and she told me that there was an audition in Orlando and if I went, I wouldn’t have to stand in any lines. So I went to the audition, but the lines were outrageous. After a while I texted her, saying I was leaving. She responded asking for my number, which was 45. Two minutes later, someone walked out and asked for 45.”

Since America’s Next Top Model

Whitney has been busy: “I started my own jewelry and candle company, called Super Model. When the candles melt, they turn into massage oils. They are all natural and hand made in America, which is very important to me. And recently, I have founded an online dating Website for curvy girls called The Big and The Beautiful.

The Big and the Beautiful

“There is so much online dating out there right now, and there is nothing quite like this. People are known for putting up pictures from 5 years ago or when they were younger, thinner. But they are setting themselves up for failure because they will end up meeting someone that won’t even be able to recognize them.

It’s not necessarily for big girls. Anyone can join. We are just encouraging you to put yourself out there and find a guy who loves you the way that you are. We launched in November and already have over 100,000 members.”

“Beauty is Healthy”

Whitney is also a spokesperson for the National Eating Disorders Association, and speaks on healthy body image. Her all encompassing message is that “beauty is healthy. It is not a size a weight or a procedure.”

I have gotten letters from mothers saying, ‘My little girl is in the hospital right now with Bulimia, and before she saw your show she never would have asked for help. Now we are getting help for her and working with her. We can save her life because of you.’ Reading that is rewarding.”

“Often when I walk into a photo shoot, people will say, ‘Oh, you’re not fat.’ And I think, yeah….that’s the whole point. Size 6 is the ‘normal’ plus size and the average American woman is a size 14. If that is what we are telling people, no wonder there are eating disorders. Most models are not normal. And on top of that, we air brush the heck out of them and make them look much better than anyone possibly can. The expectations are impossible.”

The Future

Although Whitney lives an exciting life and loves what she does, she also looks to the future. “I will get wrinkles and get older and eventually not be able to model anymore. And I am thinking about retiring sooner rather than later. Modeling is taxing, and I have other things I would like to do with my life.

I really see myself as a business owner or an entrepreneur. Also, I have always wanted to open up a bakery. I know that seems random, but I really love to bake and cook so you never know. There are lots of possibilities.”

Thanks to Whitney for taking a few minutes to sit down with us, Carolina Productions for setting up the interview, and Tori Black for writing up the article.