Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Davis.
Hi Alyssa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up doing theatre and started training as an actress at age 6. I was drawn to the idea of telling the stories of those who felt they had no voice and helping them feel seen through this art form. In college, I majored in Musical Theatre and Theatre Education. Then, I began modeling to reconnect with my body as a PTSD survivor with a chronic illness. As a kid, I practiced posing to music in my room. It was my embarrassing little secret because I had this feeling deep in the pit of my stomach that I didn’t have the perfect “model look.” The modeling industry felt like a secret club that I wanted to join but couldn’t find a way in. Every glimpse I got of the industry told me that I didn’t fit in. Finally, after years of not feeling good enough, I chose to be my own representation. I decided that hearing “no” hundreds of times was worth it to prove to other folks like me that we ARE worthy of being included. Getting the chance to model for clients such as the Wayfair spring catalog has been such a rewarding experience. Today, I have the honor of helping other model misfits break into the industry and sharing posing strategies to empower women to feel more confident in their bodies.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I work in an industry where I am considered a plus-size model, despite not being a plus-size human. In the modeling industry, sample sizes range from 00-4. Anything outside that is considered plus size (I’ve even seen a size four on a plus-size board before). However, if you were to walk into most stores in the US, plus sizing starts at around a size 14. Because of this, I’ve experienced both body shaming and pressure to gain weight. When I first applied for representation, agents urged me to gain 20 lbs then come back. This baffled me after years of critiques on my weight, from “you’d be more marketable if you were thin” to “put the fork down”, and even blatant insults like “fat cow”.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The vision I work towards daily is to tear down unrealistic beauty standards and dismantle the idea that the only model worthy of walking the runway is thin, white, able-bodied with eurocentric features. I fight for each little girl who comes after me, so she won’t have to grab her stomach in the mirror, tearing up because she saw a magazine titled “Worst Celebrity Beach Bodies” shaming bodies that look like hers. In my world of success, women everywhere feel safe and empowered in their bodies and, at the same time, know that they are so much more than their physical appearance. When I model for brands, I bring authenticity and warmth into the room. I am the perfect fit for clients who want someone approachable representing their product. My heart feels so full every time I get a DM from someone who has seen my work saying, “This is my body too, and I’m so happy to see it represented!”. As a coach, my method is all about body acceptance, radical self-compassion, and finding each student’s ideal market, not forcing them into unrealistic beauty standards. I also specifically work with folks who are underrepresented in the industry, all through a trauma-informed lens. This is a radical difference from the “modeling schools” whose teachings rely heavily on body shaming and verbal abuse to mold their students into a cookie-cutter “model”.
What’s next?
I recently joined the team at Clicksuasion Labs as a Marketing Consultant. I am excited to advocate for inclusivity and ethical marketing strategies in front of the camera and behind the table. Currently, I am crafting a submission for a TEDx talk, one of my biggest dreams. Training this new wave of models is a rewarding experience. I am excited about all the new talent I have yet to meet! This week I launched “Get Scouted on Socials”, a new way to train with me. It’s a self-paced mini-course that teaches aspiring models how to create a magnetic social media presence that attracts modeling scouts.
Pricing:
- $27
Contact Info:
- Email: Posedforsuccess@gmail.com
- Website: https://bit.ly/3pGg78G
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/alyssacdavis
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCAxZdMCmFvXOZINnCYbYVgg
Image Credits
Matt Archer Jenn Deloye TNT Portraits Alyssa Davis ClassyJorge Elizabeth A Images (6&8) Timothy Folwell
