Natasha Dillard on Redefining Beauty Standards and Empowering Women Through Unapologetic Self-Expression

Through bold visual storytelling and deeply personal creative work, Natasha Dillard is challenging traditional beauty standards and creating space for plus-size women — especially Black women — to feel seen, celebrated, and empowered. Inspired by her own journey toward self-acceptance, she uses modeling and writing as tools for vulnerability, confidence, and expression. Whether through her body-positive photoshoots or her journal It’s Your Season, Natasha’s message is clear: every woman’s story, body, and voice deserve to be embraced — fully and unapologetically.

Natasha, your upcoming photoshoot centers on plus-size beauty and body positivity. What message do you hope people take away when they see these images?
I want all Beautiful Plus Size Women all over the globe to see that we’re winning too. We’re just as beautiful as other body types. Whether slim or muscular-toned. And to embrace our own uniqueness, become empowered by it. And tell OUR story unapologetically through simply living life, fully embracing our bodies and in art form.

You’re using visual storytelling to challenge beauty standards. How has your own journey shaped the way you show up in front of the camera?
I was slim for a very long time. And after I had my children, my body changed. I gained a lot of weight. Developed stretch marks all over my body. I felt very unattractive and self-conscious. It wasn’t until years later after seeing Willow, a beautiful plus-size woman wrestler who wrestles with company AEW, and seeing Model and Wrestler Faye Jackson show up loud, bold and unapologetic. They gave me the confidence to show up as well as a Plus-Size Black Woman in America.

Your journal It’s Your Season is created specifically for Black women. What inspired you to focus on affirmations for this audience?
I think that we as Black Women are told to work hard and heal everyone. And Be Strong. But we also have other facets to our world, our lives, and our personalities. We are soft, we are quirky, we are unique. We are funny and adventurous. And we wanna relax. So creating this journal for us was a way for Black Women to just relax and get our thoughts out. At our own pace.

How do you see your work in modeling and writing complementing each other in promoting confidence and self-worth?
Well, I never really saw them as complementing each other although some of the work does. A lot of the modeling I do embodies erotica, which connects with the erotica poetry I write. For me, it promotes confidence from within because it shows and represents being vulnerable and open. And I get to show another side to myself, which also pushes boundaries and further instills confidence in me.

For women who are still learning to embrace their bodies and themselves fully, what would you want them to hear from you right now?
Aww man, thank you so much for a beautiful question. Women have inspired me my whole life. Took care of me. Instilled strength in me! It’s only fair that I spread some love back to them as well. I want to say and want all women to know that you are special. Your voice matters. We’re built uniquely for a reason. Have different body types for a reason. Whether slim, plus size, muscular build, or slim-medium size build. We’re unique, bold, excellent multi-taskers and courageous! That’s no small feat. And our stories deserve to be told and CELEBRATED! From all walks of life!

Link:

• https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/its-your-season-natasha-dillard/1149726560?ean=9798279697373