Sierra Shingler shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Sierra, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
When I’m modeling and standing in front of the camera, something magical happens—I forget that anyone else is around. It’s just me and the lens. In that moment, I’m completely in my element. The affirmations I whisper to myself start to flow through me: You are beautiful. You belong here. You are enough. And suddenly, I’m no longer posing—I’m becoming.
As a plus-size model, confidence is everything. It’s not something that just appears overnight; it’s something I work on every single day. There was a time when I let the world’s idea of beauty make me question my own. It’s so easy to think negatively about yourself when you don’t see your body type celebrated in magazines, on runways, or in ads.
But over time, I learned that my body tells a story that deserves to be seen—and that confidence isn’t about fitting in, it’s about standing out and owning who you are. When I’m in front of the camera now, I feel powerful. I feel free. I give it everything I have, because I know that every pose, every look, and every shot is a chance to show someone else that they can do the same.
Being a plus-size model isn’t just about fashion—it’s about representation, self-love, and rewriting the narrative of what beauty really looks like.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sierra Shingler — known in the modeling world as Queen Cece — is a bold, radiant force redefining what it means to take up space with confidence. As a proud plus-size model and dedicated body-positivity advocate, she champions the beauty, power, and visibility of curvy women everywhere. With every photoshoot, runway, and public moment, Sierra carries a mission rooted in inclusivity: to ensure that plus-size women are not only seen, but celebrated.
What makes Sierra truly special is her ability to blend authenticity with influence. She embodies what she advocates—unapologetic self-love, unwavering confidence, and a commitment to showing women that their bodies are worthy in every season and every size. Her presence is more than visual; it’s a movement. Sierra uses her platform to inspire women to embrace every curve, to rewrite outdated beauty standards, and to walk in their power without permission.
Whether she’s mentoring, creating uplifting spaces for curvy women, or delivering stunning visuals behind the camera, Queen Cece continues to rise as a voice of representation, a symbol of empowerment, and a testament to the beauty found in being proudly, fully, and fearlessly yourself.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
“My earliest memory of feeling powerful was the moment I realized that my size didn’t disqualify me—it distinguished me. Growing up, I constantly heard that models had to be skinny, that beauty had rules, and that I needed to shrink myself to fit into society’s narrow standards. But one day, I looked in the mirror and instead of seeing everything the world told me to ‘fix,’ I saw everything that made me unforgettable. That was the shift. That was the moment.”
“I felt powerful when I chose to take up space unapologetically. When I decided that my curves were not obstacles, but assets. I felt powerful when I stopped chasing permission and started honoring who I was created to be. That memory stays with me because it was the first time I understood that real power doesn’t come from fitting in—it comes from embracing what sets you apart.”
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. I know you never imagined you’d one day stand confidently in front of a camera, owning every curve and every angle. I know you thought your insecurities would always speak louder than your dreams. But trust me—your voice gets stronger, your light gets brighter, and your courage grows in ways you can’t even picture yet.”
“There will still be moments when you feel unsure, even now. But that inner voice—the one whispering that you’re worthy, beautiful, and capable—that voice becomes your superpower. Listen to her. She’s guiding you toward the woman you are becoming: bold, intentional, and unafraid to take up space. You become everything you once needed.”
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
“One of the biggest lies the plus-size modeling industry tells itself is that representation has ‘come far enough.’ It hasn’t. There’s still this unspoken idea that diversity is a trend instead of a necessity, and that plus-size bodies should only be included in limited, carefully controlled ways. The industry loves to say it’s inclusive while still trying to fit us into the smallest version of ‘acceptable’ plus size.”
“Another lie is the belief that plus-size models have to look a certain way—curvy, but not too curvy; thick, but still hourglass; confident, but never too outspoken. It tries to box us in, when the whole point of our presence is to break the box entirely.”
“And maybe the biggest lie of all is that we’re not marketable. The truth is, plus-size women are powerful consumers, powerful influencers, and powerful storytellers. The industry is finally starting to realize that, but it’s still catching up to what we’ve known all along: we deserve visibility, authenticity, and the same level of respect as any other model.”
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
“I’m absolutely doing what I was born to do. Modeling comes so naturally to me—it feels like something that’s always lived in my spirit, even before I had the courage to claim it. For so long, I was told who I needed to be, how small I needed to shrink, and what a ‘real’ model was supposed to look like. But none of that ever aligned with the fire I felt inside.”
“Stepping into modeling wasn’t about following anyone’s expectations. It was about finally listening to myself. It was about honoring that part of me that loved the camera, loved expressing emotion through movement, and loved showing women who look like me that we belong in this space. I wasn’t told to do this—I chose it. And every time I’m in front of the lens, I feel that confirmation: I’m walking in my purpose, not someone else’s script.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: __queencece__
- Other: Instagram @hotcurvesociety._
Image Credits
Photographer @cloverclicks
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