If you’re big on social media, then you know the Shade Room is the home to where you can get all the tea on your favorite celebs and reality TV stars. Outside of delivering the shadiest stories, they are using the platform for a greater good, with a new reality series “The Shade Room Thick House”, a modeling series that follows seven curvaceous plus size women hosted by former ‘America’s Next Top Model’ icon Toccara. We caught up with one of the contestants, Jalisa Shaveh, who shared what the experience was like and what’s next for her!
Why is it so meaningful for you to be able to take part in this reality series?
It’s meaningful to be a part of this new reality series because I always dreamed of becoming a model, but a model with nothing in the way. The show really allowed me to step outside of my insecurities and step into my true self. I never realized how much I thought about my weight until I had to stop thinking about my weight and focus on why people love me as a model.
What do you hope viewers of the show will be able to learn from it?
I hope the viewers will learn that only your thoughts and feelings about yourself matter. I hope they stop seeking validation from others and validate themselves.
How does it feel to be working beside Toccara Jones and what inspiration have you gained from her?
Working with Tocarra was so amazing. She is just as vibrant and inspiring as she was on America’s Next Top Model. I could tell she really wanted the best for me and would always give me personal coaching.
The show is similar to America’s Next Top Model, but is for plus sized women of color, do you feel there is a lack of love and appreciation for plus sized women in the fashion industry?
I feel like we are on a growing path to being appreciated more. I hate that it took this long for us to get love and appreciation, but it’s a new season. I hope that we can continue to break barriers for the plus size industry and accept all shapes and sizes when it comes to being curvy.
Have you ever experienced body shaming and what uplifting words do you have for other women of color who have experienced this?
Body shaming has definitely been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When you believe in who you are and you love yourself fully, you’re unstoppable. My uplifting words to women of color or women in general dealing with body shaming is, to change what you can and accept what you can’t. And if you can’t change it, like for instance my height, embrace it and learn how to love it.
Beyond the show, what else can we expect to see from you this year?
Besides this amazing new show coming out, you can expect to see me in more modeling campaigns and pursuing my dream as a full-time YouTuber/influencer. Also, as the CEO of Shady Lashes, I plan to expand my mink eyelash business so that I can later pass it on to my younger sisters and provide more entrepreneurial opportunities for makeup artists! Shady Lashes is a business that participates in community outreach by donating to different nonprofit organizations, which is truly a passion of mine.
Catch Jalisa and the rest of the beautiful women streaming on Facebook Watch and the Shade Room.
All images Courtesy of The Booking Connection Team.
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