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ThickLeeyonce on Calvin Klein contract renewal, plus she talks about diversity in the fashion and beauty industry

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BodyPositivity ambassador, plus-size model and photographer Lesego 'ThickLeeyonce' Legobane. Collage by Futhi Masilela
BodyPositivity ambassador, plus-size model and photographer Lesego 'ThickLeeyonce' Legobane. Collage by Futhi Masilela
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There is nothing that we love more than seeing our sisters doing it for themselves and making moves. So we were all hyped up when blogger and model, Lesego 'ThickLeeyonce' Legobane took to Twitter to announce that her contract with Calvin Klein has been renewed.

Not only that, the model was also featured on an Instagram post by the brand a few months ago. A true definition of 20Plenty.

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Diversity has been a big talking point in the previous decade and ThickLeeyonce is among other women who have stepped up to change the perception of what the ideal woman in the entertainment industry should look like, including lawyer, model and activist Thando Hopa, model and public spokesperson Winnie Harlow, model and radio host Refilwe Modiselle and singer, rapper and songwriter Lizzo.

The body positivity ambassador, plus-size model and photographer has broken stereotypes around body image.

We previously met up with ThickLeeyonce in Sandton at the Audi South Africa roundtable discussion on purposeful marketing and the need for brands to be mindful in their marketing efforts. 

ThickLeeyonce is an influencer and ambassador for the car brand and we're glad to that inclusivity is top on their agenda. She spoke to us about this and other issues.

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#GMG19 ??

A post shared by thickleeyonce@gmail.com (@thickleeyonce) on

“The industry has not opened up enough yet, there is still one or two people in the industry pushing the boundaries. When I go to the shop, magazine covers still look the same, there is still no diversity. The industry is opening up slowly and there is pressure on brands to accommodate diversity,” she says.

READ MORE: WATCH: Kenyan stylist says more LGBT people should be included in runways

Individuals can only do so much, the media needs to change as they are the benchmark for setting standards because we are all exposed to it. Diversity should not be a once off thing, it should be consistent. “I would go on a shoot and find that I’m often the only big black girl on set. It would be nice to get on set and there are five girls who look like me,” ThickLeeyonce adds.

We cannot shy away from giving credit to brands that embrace diversity, like Woolworths and Dove, who have consistently done campaigns that represent real women. Encouraging young women to celebrate how they look without feeling the need to be air-brushed beautiful.

READ MORE: Months after Victoria’s Secret CEO resigns, the lingerie company has cast their first-ever openly transgender mode

“Being myself has carried my brand and by being myself I am comfortable knowing that I do not have to adjust, I don’t have to change to suite a certain aesthetic, because my aesthetic is me. Everyone around me adjusts to my energy,” the Audi ambassador says. 

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Mafia Gang ?? Coat from @lee_bex

A post shared by thickleeyonce@gmail.com (@thickleeyonce) on

To a young girl looking to follow in the footsteps of this fearless game-changer, ThickLeeyonce has the following advice as a sister, “The biggest step is self-acceptance and understanding who you are, because you will meet people who will have negative things to say about you, regardless of who you are and what you look like.”

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