Plus-size model Joann van den Herik isn’t interested in fitting into a tiny box and meeting the traditional definition of ‘perfect’; instead, she’s passionate about defying beauty norms and letting everyone know that their individuality makes them shine.
The curvy cousin of supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid is here to challenge the unrealistic images that have taken over social media platforms. As a full-figure model who regularly advocates for self-love, Joann uses her Instagram to show people that they don’t have to use filters to capture true beauty, reminding them to instead embrace those authentic moments where they may feel less than perfect.
Joann isn’t afraid to practice what she preaches. She regularly shares her own unfiltered photos to demonstrate that beauty can be found in all shapes and sizes.
Photos she posts online vs. photos she’s deleted
Joann often shares bits of her life with her almost 500,000 followers. That includes her unfiltered self and her journey with body positivity, which she hopes to spread to her fans. She shares ‘before and after’ type pictures to show the contrast between the edited, polished photos we scroll through on our feeds daily and the reality that hides behind them.
Editing makes a world of difference
She does a deep dive into the editing processes and how systematically people organize and plan to present an online persona. She does all this to bring more transparency to how social media doesn’t reflect reality, urging her followers to celebrate their unique bodies and journey towards self-love.
She draws attention to the fact that most of what we see online has undergone careful selection and transformation, which distorts our perception of real life.
She also emphasizes the fact that constant comparisons suck the joy out of your life, and rather than comparing yourself, you should prioritize self-worth and personal growth while appreciating the so-called imperfections.
Self-acceptance is powerful, and when you master it, it can help you tune out all the outside noise in society that tells us otherwise.
