Natalie Laughlin

Natalie Laughlin is a plus size model who was the first to have an advertisement feature a plus size model on a billboard in New York’s Time Square.

Early years

Born in Trinidad, Laughlin immigrated with her family to Miami in her teens. She later moved to New York City to study acting at New York University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. Laughlin started modeling for the Ford agency at the age of 15. Battling an eating disorder and body image issues, she gave up regular modeling and became a plus size model.

Career

In January 1995, Glamour Magazine chose her to be featured in a fashion spread and an article with her personal story. With this spread, her career started to take off. She was the “Elizabeth” girl for Liz Claiborne, one of the first plus size models to be offered this honor. They featured her on five massive billboards in Times Square. In 2002, she was modeling for the plus-size division of Wilhelmina Models and four other agencies. She is the only plus size model to have a contract with a web site as the official spokeswoman and fashion director and she does so at Onlyreal.com. In April 2002 she was awarded a special recognition by The Academy of Eating Disorders for 'forging new paths for women'. In January 2003 she appeared on the cover of Grace magazine.

Television appearances

Laughlin has appeared on the following television programs: E Entertainment, MSNBC, Extra, New Attitudes (Lifetime television), Fox News, Pure Oxygen and She Commerce (Oxygen), and Today in America.

Family life

Laughlin married Andrew Tanner on February 16, 2002 at the Powel Crosley Museum in Sarasota, Florida.