Meet Chelz Thompson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelz Thompson.

Hi Chelz, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
So I’m the youngest of three girls. My oldest sister has always been very slim and petite, my middle sister is taller and has a slender frame. I was always the largest or thicker than my siblings and the majority of my peers. I didn’t look like everyone else. I started developing my shape early in the 5th grade. I was very curvy. I had large breasts and wide hips in elementary school. At the time, I was ashamed of my shape and body. I couldn’t wear what everyone else wore. Example, the cute little schoolgirl skirts… they would be bop-tailed on me (low in the front and high in the back) or low-cut shirts, I would show too much cleavage at the time being a child my age. Growing up, you don’t think about setting trends or standing out. I wanted to do what other kids were doing. I wanted to fit in. No matter what I did or where I’d go, I always stood out because of my body. I was active in my school’s drama department and loved acting. When I would act, I could be anyone but myself.

I was in many plays and productions. I was fearless when I was on stage but I still dealt with self-esteem and body confidence issues the majority of my life. I had severe anxiety and depression that came from fear of being judged. It wasn’t until late high school when I asked myself; “Who cares what other people think about me?” It was at the moment when the “rebirth” of myself began. I started living for me. I started doing things that made me happy. Sometime after college, I had spiraled “back” into a depressive state due to an abusive relationship that I was in. I had allowed someone else to dictate and take control of my life. I started noticing myself going back into the shell that I had worked so hard to get out of. So I decided I needed an outlet or a safe space. I began working out and participating in Zumba. I loved it so much that I became a certified Zumba instructor and had began teaching classes. I started to lose weight. I was more confident, happy and healthy. I eventually gathered the strength to leave my toxic relationship and focus on me again. I’m now a strong advocate for body positivity and body confidence.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road was not smooth at all. There were many nights I’d stay up late and ask God, “Why me?” I had dealt with childhood trauma and not understanding why certain men were looking at me like an adult when I was a child. My mother made sure that my sisters and I were active in church. Our church was fairly large and we were members of our youth choir, praise dance team, hospitality and many other ministries. It was always weird when I’d wear something that made me feel confident or beautiful and then have some of the elders turning their noses up or tugging at my skirt/dress. I know they didn’t mean it in a hateful way but it did affect me and the way I felt about myself. I was always respectful so I never addressed it. In churches, you are told to come as you are. I would always dress decent and in order but I couldn’t help how clothes fit to my body. It’s the times like those and cheering on my cheerleading team having to get my uniform altered that made me realize that the problem wasn’t with me or my body. The problem was with how people viewed me and my body. So I posed the question again, “Who cares what other people think?” This is how God made me. I am beautiful. I am confident. I am strong. I am a woman, a natural woman. God loves me and I love myself; AT ANY SIZE!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I like to look at myself as a creative. I simply create ART. One of my passions in life has always been photography. I wanted to capture memories of others and tell stories through my photos. I never thought of myself as much to look at growing up, as I stated before, due to my physical insecurities and self-esteem so I was happy being behind the camera but I wanted to learn more. I reached to the most amazing man, Brooklyn Hughes, who is a known photographer for guidance and to mentor me. He once mentioned shooting me. The idea hadn’t crossed my mind before but I eventually booked a shoot with him and the rest is history. He boosted my confidence. He saw things in me that I didn’t even see in myself. He would always call me a muse. Not a model. We would create ART!! He helped me polish my own photography and videography skills. Working alongside of him is indescribable. I thank him for bringing me to where I am today with my confidence. He’s shown me where stepping out of faith and taking chances can bring you. I am forever grateful. Now, I know how to not only capture photos in my camera and settings. I know how to do different light setups and how to adjust from flash lighting to natural light. I know how to pose my subjects and set up my shots before sessions. I am a photographer, videographer, muse, pose coach, actress, artist, creative and so much more.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Being true to myself. When I would act, I could be anyone I wanted to be a character but what I think is most important is being me. I am my authentic, natural self and I love who I’ve become. I’ve learned to accept me and love aspects of myself. Regardless of my size, I am happy with myself. Confidence is key.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.curvezbychelz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivalachelz_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Crazychelz08/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/vivalachelz_?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLsdG5KRiEeBZxWUcXrntaw

Image Credits
Photos by Brooklyn Hughes ( @iam_365_photography )