Gigi and Bella Hadid's cousin makes her modeling debut in an untouched lingerie campaign


Photo courtesy Debenhams
Photo courtesy Debenhams

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.

“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

<em>Photo courtesy Debenhams</em>
Photo courtesy Debenhams

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.

Photo courtesy Debenhams
Photo courtesy Debenhams

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.”

‼️THIS IS REALITY‼️ Yep, this is how I look like when I’m sick. No pants, no showing my good sides, no makeup. I want to show you all that even people with many followers can look and feel like sh*t. People on Instagram aren’t perfect. You’re not alone. I’ve been sick for 3 days now, I’ve felt unhappy, uncomfortable and insecure. I def not look my best right now and that just makes me wanna avoid the mirror. I just want to lay in bed feeling ugly and sorry for myself. But I know that’s not a solution. Instead of doing that, I’m showing you all: my biggest insecurities. I’ve talked about it a couple of times, but my belly rolls and my legs are my biggest insecurities and I feel like showing them makes me beat my insecurities and learn to love them instead. The second picture is my bare face, without washing it or even combing my hair/eyebrows, I think there are still too many people who are afraid to go outside like this. You should all realize that you’re already beautiful, make-up just lightens up the best parts of your face. It doesn’t make you more beautiful. Because you already BEAUTIFUL AF. I know it’s hard. It’s hard showing your insecurities. It’s hard realizing you’re beautiful when you feel like you’re not worthy of anything. I’m lucky I’m confident enough to do it now, but I’ve not always been this confident. It’s a tough road. But realize a few things: if your future daugther or son had your body, or even your best friend, your sister, your brother, would you tell them to hate it? Would you tell them they’re ugly? That they should lose weight? That they can’t wear whatever they want? That they aren’t worthy of love? No. You would tell them that their size does NOT define them. So don’t treat yourself differently. #BeautyBeyondSize #BodyPositive

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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