Tess Holliday

Tess Holliday is an American plus-size model, author, and body positivity activist who became a groundbreaking figure in the fashion industry. Born Ryann Maegen Hoven in Laurel, Mississippi, she grew up in difficult circumstances and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a modeling career. In 2013, she started the hashtag movement #EffYourBeautyStandards on Instagram, which went viral and became a global body positivity campaign that challenged traditional beauty norms in the fashion and media industries.

In 2015, Holliday made history when she became the largest plus-size model to be signed by a major modeling agency, joining the roster at MiLK Model Management in the UK. Standing at 5’5″ and wearing a size 22, her signing was widely covered in international media and sparked important conversations about diversity and inclusivity in fashion. She appeared on the cover of People magazine and was featured in numerous high-profile publications including Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Nylon.

Holliday published her memoir “The Not So Subtle Art of Being a Fat Girl” in 2017, which became a bestseller and was praised for its honest and humorous take on navigating life as a plus-size woman in a society that often stigmatizes larger bodies. The book covered topics ranging from fashion and dating to self-esteem and dealing with online harassment. She has continued to be a prominent voice in the body positivity movement, using her platform to advocate for size inclusivity.

Beyond modeling and writing, Holliday has built a substantial social media following across Instagram and other platforms, partnering with brands that promote body diversity. She has spoken publicly about her struggles with eating disorders and mental health, working to destigmatize these issues. Her estimated net worth of $3 million in 2026 reflects her modeling contracts, book royalties, social media partnerships, speaking engagements, and her continued influence as a cultural figure.