Telha
Ella Halikas, a leading figure in the modeling industry, recently sparked conversation with a bold and empowering photoshoot.
She had always dreamed of becoming a model
Halikas made the daring choice to pursue her modeling career full-time by moving to Los Angeles in May 2020.
With unwavering determination and confidence, she embarked on a journey that would change her life.
Remarkably, within a year, she achieved what many see as nearly impossible—landing a spot as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model.
Halikas is on a mission to prove that it’s possible to be both healthy and happy at a size 14.
Gabriella Athena Halikas, a passionate advocate for body positivity, shares an inspiring journey of self-acceptance.
She reveals that confidence wasn’t always second nature for her. “I wasn’t always confident, I actually was a lot smaller,” she reflects.
Her body began to change in her junior year of high school. She developed more curves and gained about 20 pounds in college.
For a long time, Halikas felt ashamed of her evolving body
She was shaped by years of fatphobic comments from those around her.
She recalls, “Certain family members would say, ‘You look bigger,’ while others would ask, ‘Is she OK? She’s gained a lot of weight recently.’”
These remarks drove her to engage in unhealthy practices to avoid such comments.
“I definitely struggled with binging where I would deprive myself and just eat only like chicken and rice every day from the dining hall.
Then me and my friends would literally have binge episodes because we’d be like, ‘We did so well,’” she shares.
“I’d wake up and walk through snow to go to the gym every morning at like 5 a.m. before class, just because if I didn’t I wasn’t gonna get skinny or whatever. … I used to think that the more weight I’d lose, the happier I’d be.”
Her mission is far more profound than seeking attention or validation
Her goal is to spread a powerful message. “Health and happiness aren’t defined by any particular size or body type!”
Her activism is about showing that “you can be healthy and happy in size 14. Living and existing in a bigger body while still being extremely confident.”
Her recent photoshoot, inspired by the iconic Victoria’s Secret angels, quickly went viral.
Gabriella Athena Halikas captured attention with a viral photoshoot. Teaming up with photographer Henry Jimenez Kerbox to channel her inner Victoria’s Secret Angel.
Halikas reimagined the iconic Victoria’s Secret runway with her own unique twist.
She proudly displayed her size 14 figure in lingerie. And delivered a powerful statement on body diversity and redefining beauty and confidence.
The photoshoot didn’t just boost Halikas’ confidence; it deeply resonated with others.
Many reached out to express their gratitude for finally seeing a representation they had been missing.
For Halikas and her audience, this shoot was more than fashion—it became a healing experience, a challenge to the fashion industry’s narrow standards, and a clear reminder that beauty and confidence exist in every size.
The comments on her post highlighted the impact it had
One person commented, “This level of beauty and confidence gave me chills down my body”.
While another shared their admiration for the photographer, saying, “I absolutely love how you pick women of all sizes and make them feel beautiful because they are!”
