There's a new model search show specifically for curvy women — including Gigi Hadid's cousin
Gigi, Bella, and Anwar Hadid are fashion’s reigning sibling triple act — but they’re not the only ones in the family with a modeling career. Their 19-year-old Dutch cousin, Joann van den Herik, is a plus-size beauty who is stealing the spotlight thanks to the new model search show, Curvy Supermodel.
The Dutch reality show, which premiered in the Netherlands on Feb. 26, stars someone very familiar to U.S. audiences: fashion photographer and former America’s Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker. Obviously no stranger to modeling competitions — he also hosted The Face and is a judge on Holland’s Next Top Model — the British photographer is training his eye on fuller figures with the potential to shatter staid fashion industry stereotypes.
A post shared by Nigel Barker (@nigelbarker) on Feb 26, 2018 at 6:00am PST
“I’m looking for personality that can push through,” Barker, who joins stylist JeanPaul Paula, plus-size model Danielle von Grondelle, and influencer Anna Nooshin on the judging panel. “So if you’ve got a great personality, it will make a simple, boring picture come to life.”
A post shared by JeanPaul Paula (@jeanpaulpaula) on Feb 24, 2018 at 1:57am PST
Hadid cousin van den Herik is among the 20 hopefuls who impressed the judges during the first episode’s swimsuit challenge.
“You’ve got great curves,” Barker told van der Herik, whose aunt is Dutch-born model and former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid.
Curves are paramount on this show, where another contestant, 23-year-old Terry, is criticized for not being “curvy enough.”
It’s not clear if this spinoff of the original German Curvy Supermodel will get a U.S. version. Barker’s social media comments certainly suggest a lot of demand.
“We definitely need this here in the States!” gushed a Facebook follower.
“Nigel, I couldn’t love this more,” another fan said. “As a curvy woman who’s struggled with self-esteem issues my whole life, I appreciate you seeing beyond the stereotype and showcasing another side of beautiful.”
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
‘I don’t dress furniture’: Some designers refuse to dress women over size 12
Plus-size models recreated Kardashian Calvin Klein ad, proving all bodies are beautiful
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