by Maddy Figueroa-Jones
Cycle 8 of
Americas Next Top Model was a real treat to curvy viewers.
We had two plus size beauties to root for every week. Whitney
Cunningham was one of the models chosen to compete and she won our
hearts with her beautiful smile and positive disposition. It is our
PLUS pleasure to bring you the talented and beautiful Whitney...
[Maddy] Whitney, it has certainly been a pleasure getting to know
you! Tell our readers a bit about yourself... Where were you born?
Do you have any brothers and sisters? Do you come from an artistic
family? And how did you feel about your body growing up?
[Whitney] I was born in Tampa, Florida. My mother, father, and I moved
to West Palm Beach when I was only 6 months old, so West Palm is my
hometown. I have a little sister, Kendall, who is 17 and the apple of
my eye... she's my mini me; and I have one big, little brother, Frank. He
just turned 15 and he's six foot three and towers over me!
I come from an athletic family. I think they thought I was clinically insane when I decided to trade basketball for modeling.
And I think the reason I was focused on my body growing up was more for
performance reasons, and not vanity. I was always an athlete and always
knew I wanted to go to college to play a sport. I constantly worked out
and lifted weights so that I could become the best basketball player I
could be. As a result of me being an athlete, I always had a great body
growing up. I never wore a size two and never wanted to because I wore
a size ten and had a six pack. I think that's the reason I am such an
advocate for the idea of the plus size industry. I know from personal
experience that beautiful bodies come in all different shapes and sizes
[Maddy] When did you first become interested in the modeling industry?
[Whitney] When I was about five years old I modeled for a department
store called Jacobson's. After that I became obsessed with the idea of
modeling. I always posed and played mirror time with myself. My
grandmother would always tell my mother I should model, but my mom
always thought the industry would affect me as a person. So when I was
old enough to make the decision to become involved in the industry
myself, I knew I had to give it a go.
Photo: Gary James / Miami, FL / deeperleveldesign.com / www.nex-creative.com
