DADADEL
Erika Ervin’s transition from male to female in 2004 was a dream come true. However, she faced some loss as none of her family supported her, leaving her ultimately alone.
Despite this, Erika persevered and has since built a vast, supportive network of people from all over the world who have never judged her choices. She is the world’s tallest model!
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Erika now stands as a passionate champion for the rights of the LGBT community, abused children, and individuals living with HIV.
The model serves as a motivator for anyone who has lost trust and confidence in themselves.
She said in an interview: “Every young woman deserves a flowering time. Friends and family support are important, so be patient when you come out to your loved ones. Love yourself. Be cautious with what you see in the mirror, and be kind to yourself. Say to yourself; I deserve love. Self-acceptance is one of the most important factors in your transition and your mental being.”
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Erika, also known as Amazon Eve, has had a recurring role on American Horror Story: Freak Show.
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Due to her remarkable height of 6 feet and 8 inches, the fitness trainer captured the attention of viewers in the movie.
Erika faced challenges in getting significant acting roles, often being offered characters as an alien or monsters. Her frustration with the office lifestyle led her to join a gym, but striving for an unrealistic size 0 physique almost cost her health. However, she learned from her mistakes, now embracing a healthier body image and viewing herself as a super-sized version of Superwoman.
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Embracing her true identity, she travels the globe participating in height comparison photo shoots and modelling gigs.
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Guinness World Records crowned Erika the “World’s Tallest Professional Model” in 2011.
The brunette is happily involved with her boyfriend, Dennis Hargrove, who stands at 6’4″, making them a near-perfect match. Erika first met Dennis when he was her accountant, and they felt a spark. He admires her so much that he calls her Victory as a nickname. They are so well-matched that she barely has to bend over to kiss him.
Dennis also mentions that she represents the Winged Victory of Samothrace statue at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
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“She is a tender loving companion to me. She sometimes complains about her height from time to time. But I know she enjoys being tall. She likes to live out a superhero fantasy, imagining herself wearing a costume, ridding the world of evil with her brains, martial arts and sense of justice as her only weapons.” said Dennis.
Erika faced challenges on her journey towards self-acceptance, including struggles with herself and those around her during her childhood.
At the age of 5, the model began to feel different, and by 7, she recognized her male gender was the root of her discomfort. Erika revealed that she had a strong desire to become a girl when she looked in the mirror, especially since all her friends were girls. She preferred toys designed for girls and the sound of more feminine names.
She said: “I believed in magic back then – haha! I loved angels and dragons at that age and wanted one to visit me and be my protector, like in the movie Pete’s Dragon.”
Despite having a rough relationship with her father until her mom divorced the abusive man, no one came to help Erika. Her father never accepted her, but she has proven to be strong for herself.
“Be safe out there,” advises Erika to those who are still struggling with self-acceptance, adding that they should have fun and celebrate their life.
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On the other hand, research suggests that height can significantly impact our emotional well-being. Those who are made to feel shorter often experience heightened vulnerability and paranoia.
Although Erika’s towering height may have spared her from such feelings, she has faced numerous other challenges on her journey to happiness.
What do you think of Erika’s journey? Let us know in the comments!
