by Maddy Figueroa-Jones

Dear Readers... I want to thank Megan Garcia for gracing the cover of PLUS Model Magazine... She has long been a favorite model of mine and I am honored to share her story...

[Maddy] Megan, how long have you been modeling and tell us about your decision to become a plus size model.  

[Megan]  I've been modeling since 1999 – my husband actually was the person to encourage me to pursue it.  He kept tripping over the enormous stack of Mode Magazines by our bed (remember "Mode"? Sigh – I miss it sooo much). One day he opened one up and saw a photo of Emme.  He told me that I looked like her and the other models in the magazine and that I should give it a try. I was temping at a law firm at the time and acting in an Off Broadway play at night.  I mustered up my courage during my lunch break one day and went to the first agency, which was closest to my work – it was Karin models. I took my wedding pictures with me and the agent of the plus division, Kathy Backer, signed me that day! I was thrilled and couldn't believe they wanted me.

[Maddy] We have seen the modeling industry change in the past 5 to 10 years. Size 18 models were seen a lot more in the past than in most recent years. How do you feel about this? 

[Megan]  Isn't that a shame? I find it really laughable that size 10 and 12 models are asked to bring body padding with them to shoots to pad them up to a 16 or an 18 so they fit the sample sizes!! Why not just use a size 18 model like me who fits the wardrobe without alterations?  Why can't we have the gorgeous size 10 and 12 models as well as the size 18s?  There's enough work for all of us, isn't there? I don't think that 18s will do the couture work like Elena Miro or Marina Rinaldi, but can't we do catalog work here in the U.S. for more mid-market? 

Something tells me though that the industry will swing back again in a few years time.

[Maddy] What modeling job are you most proud of? 

[Megan]  It has to be the cover of "Figure" magazine that I shot with Roberto Ligretsi. He is such a talented photographer and really knows how to bring out the beauty and sensuality of his models. My husband is in the photo with me too! That was a magical day.

[Maddy] You are one of the most successful and admired models in the plus size industry. How do you feel about being a role model?

[Megan] Wow – thank you Maddy, that is certainly high praise indeed. I'm honored to be a role model.  I remember how I looked up to the models in "Mode" when I first started out as a model and even before I was a model – models like Emme, Natalie Laughlin, Kate Dillon and Barbara Brickner.  Seeing images of full-figure beauty made me feel like I could be myself and be beautiful without starving.