Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Ledbetter.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always loved fashion but being a fat black girl from the southside of Chicago…fashion didn’t always love me! I had to be creative and think outside the box, I had to “make it work”, I had to settle sometimes but I gained confidence in knowing that fashion can be my defense mechanism. Like the great beauty, fashion and style icon said herself “she can beat me but she can’t beat my outfit.”-Rihanna (She= society in my world). Society has just recently started to come around and paint a beautiful picture of plus sized women after years of abstract and paint by the numbers attempts to reveal our world. I’m grateful for my beautiful mother for giving me the space to explore and showing me the power of pulling myself together. Ultimately, years of self doubt, dimming my own light and fear of doing too much…I’m now confidently doing the most and loving it. I never truly thought I would be a model but I guess all those years of watching America’s Next Top Model and RuPaul’s Drag Race are really paying off.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No road is ever really smooth. Seeing how both these Atlanta and Chicago streets are set up…there were def some potholes along the way lol. I think my biggest struggle has truly been just believing in myself. I know what you’re thinking… really that’s it, BeliEvinG iN yOurSelf??? Internal struggle is always the toughest fight of them all. Rewiring my brain to know and believe I am enough and seek no validation from no one other than God…whew Chile- Le Struggle!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
If you’re up to date with Insecure by Issa Rae then this segment of questions definitely feels like the scene where Issa is on panel at her alma mater and the moderator asks “when did you know you were on the right path?” I’m not gonna lie, I’m lowkey ready to log off and say “F” this article but I gotta face my fears and dig deeper. I always start stuttering or deflecting when people ask me what I do. I am a plus size model and I’m most proud of my genuine relationships with people. I enjoy making others feel good by being a beacon of positivity. I always strive to and hope that people will remember the way I made them feel when we were together and that memory but full of laughter and love. As a model, you come in contact with tons of people…whether on set, behind the scene (bts), through email, etc. Sometimes you don’t hear the nicest things about models and their personalities but I believe that’s what sets me apart- you’re gonna feel my love!
Who else deserves credit in your story?
God/Sweet Baby Jesus (I know he grew up but I just like addressing him that way)- Period. My parents of course! They have ALWAYS been my biggest supporters and loves of my life.
My Agent: Fallon Sinclair- she has stuck beside me and continues to push me to not only be a great model but a smart businesswoman- I’m forever grateful.
My Cousin Tina- I use to shyly laugh at her when she would suggest that I should be a model but I am thankful of her sweet encouragement.
My Model sisters- we always get together and share our experiences and root for one another’s achievements.
My friends- they are always in my corner and believe in me more than I believe in myself sometimes! ❤️
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/jessnaturallygorjess
- Other: https://www.ipmmodels.com/portfolio/new-york-mainboard/all/1840502/jessica-patrick
Image Credits
Osmond Curtis
Jecor Photography
Zina Franklin
