Gigi and Bella Hadid's cousin makes her modeling debut in an untouched lingerie campaign
Good looks run in the family.
Gigi and Bella Hadid’s cousin is the latest member of the famous gene pool to make her modeling debut. Nineteen-year-old Joann van den Herik stars in a campaign for U.K. retailer Debenhams DD+ line of lingerie called Gorgeous.
The best part of the campaign? There’s absolutely no digital retouching.
A post shared by Joann (@joannvdherik) on Feb 6, 2018 at 6:21am PST
“I’ve always wanted to be a model but didn’t realize that there was a market for my shape and size,” reveals van den Herik, who recently signed with London’s 12+ UK Model Management. “I think it’s very important to show all the boys and girls out there that size doesn’t matter and that you’re perfect the way you are.”
ALSO SEE: Gigi and Bella Hadid’s nude British Vogue shoot makes for uncomfortable viewing
The Netherlands native stuns in the untouched photos, revealing soft stretch marks on her hips and stomach. Embracing her natural beauty is important for the model, who frequently posts makeup=free photos to Instagram to encourage others to feel confident.
“I wanted to show you guys that I’m imperfect too. I have fat rolls, I have stretch marks,” she writes. It’s so easy to look in the mirror and feel disgusted by the things you don’t like, but I don’t want to do that anymore.”
ALSO SEE: Sisters’ side-by-side photo proves every body is beautiful
As the daughter of Yolanda Hadid’s brother Leo, van den Herik publicly celebrates her famous family’s accomplishments, and often shares sweet photos and messages to cousins Gigi and Bella on social media. However, she admits that although she became interested in modeling in 2016, it has taken some time for her to have the confidence to pursue her own career.
Van Den Herik recently took to YouTube to speak openly and honestly about her body struggles.
“I’ve been feeling bad about myself for a long time,” she said. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.”
A post shared by Joann (@joannvdherik) on Feb 6, 2018 at 3:52am PST
“Girls and boys are not supposed to feel this way. You have to wear what you like, you have to eat what you want. If you love yourself it doesn’t matter what other people think.”
Van Den Herik’s posts serve as a rallying cry for self-acceptance encouraging followers to embrace their bodies. Underneath a photo in her underwear, she writes, “Loving yourself is the greatest achievement ever. It’s a long process and you’d have to work on it everyday but you can do it. Achieve your dreams, love yourself and focus on what’s most important to you.”
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