Opinion: ‘Your self-esteem has to come from within’
Supermodel Emme meets with Pascack Valley students to discuss body positivity
On Feb 2, supermodel Emme spoke with a few Pascack Valley students. She talked about body positivity and her experiences in the modeling industry.
Many people have struggled with body image at some point in their lives. With all these images of “perfect” bodies on social media, it can be especially hard not to compare yourself with others. However, many people have role models that they look up to, usually ones that people can see themselves in or have similarities too. But what happens when you don’t see yourself represented in the media?
Emme is one of the first plus-size supermodels, and she was kind enough to meet with some Pascack Valley students over Zoom on Wednesday, Feb 2 to have an open conversation about body positivity.
A true barrier breaker, Emme entered the modeling industry at a time when models were all size zero or size two. She recalled a time a man asked, “where’s the model?” when it was clearly Emme, who had her hair and makeup done. That same man then proceeded to call her “fattie.”
After this treatment, you would think Emme would have run far, far away from the modeling industry. And although she did take a break, after six months she was back into it. Even through Zoom, you could tell Emme knew her self-worth.
“We can only take care of what we have [and] what is naturally ours,” Emme said. “And [we must] celebrate that, build our body image and build our confidence within.”
Emme told us that one becomes powerful when they work from the inside out, not the outside in. And I like that—your self-esteem has to come from within. When you know your self worth in your core, it permeates to the rest of your body. And it’s important to “tap in” and show some appreciation for your body; after all, “[it] takes you to class, allows you to hug others, hear great music, [and] allows you to live on this earth.”
We were reminded not to buy into the “insidious” billion dollar diet industry that “wants you to feel insecure so you buy their products.” These companies’ ads hurt people’s self-image. There is no such thing as a “perfect, snatched” body, and you should not be comparing your body to those ads.
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Emme also encouraged us to consume and use “clean” foods and products. This is not saying that you should completely cut off ice cream and hamburgers! It’s just important to be mindful of what you are putting into and on your body.
“Our bodies are there to give us this beautiful life,” Emme said. “We must be aware of how we spend our money…You are in the power seat.”
In all this talk about body positivity, it’s also important to mention toxic positivity. Everyone has times when they don’t feel happy with their body; this is completely normal. Saying that you should always love your body no matter what is toxic positivity. This might make someone feel worse about themselves and make them wonder why something is wrong with them for not liking their body.
Saying something like, “You’re so pretty, I just want to be you,” is considered toxic positivity as well. Emme said that if someone said that to her, she would tell them that they are beautiful in their own way. She called the people around the world “a bouquet of beauty,” saying that “it would be really boring if we were all [just the same] flower and [the same] color.”
I think one of the most important points Emme brought up was the idea of asking for help.
“You’re not alone if you feel [that life is] unfair with the pressure that we all have to go under,” Emme said. “There is no shame in going to a therapist if you are having issues.”
There have definitely been times in my life when I knew I needed to ask for help, but I held back (and regretted it later). Asking for help does not make you seem weak; it’s just the opposite. You are strong for knowing that you need help, and for taking steps to get it.
Everyone could learn something from Emme. She is a strong woman who broke boundaries to get to where she is today. She has clothing lines, has written books, and has appeared in publications like “People” magazine and “Vogue.” But I think her most admirable characteristic is her confidence and her refusal to conform to societal “norms.”
“It’s my life, [and I’m] not going to live for other peoples’ standards,” Emme said.
Emily is a senior who has been part of The Valley Echo since her freshman year. This is her second year as an editor, and she loves being able to share...
