This week, Tyra Banks introduced us to Sheridan Watson, a gorgeous 17-year-old who was chosen the winner of Tyra’s Fiercely Real Teen Model Search for plus size teens. The New Jersey teenager wears a size 14 and proved her modeling skills through a competition showcased on Tyra’s talkshow. She and five other finalists competed in five areas

Niecy Nash, the curvy and gorgeous star of “Clean House” and “Reno 911,” is set to compete in the 10th season of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” which debuts March 22. When the cast was announced on March 2, she sent out this excited Tweet: “Yep! It’s official! I will be on Dancing With The Stars!!! Omg!!!”

“Precious” star Gabourey Sidibe is looking gorgeous on the cover of this month’s Ebony magazine. The issue’s theme is image as it relates to African-Americans. In a behind-the-scenes video of the photo shoot, Gabby talks about the amazing opportunity she’s been given, and how she worked to keep the character of Precious true to the one presented in “Push.”

If you shop for plus size clothes online, you’ve probably visited the Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug and Catherine’s sites many times. Your shopping may have just gotten a little easier, thanks to a new feature from parent company Charming Shoppes.

Tim Burton’s re-imagined “Alice in Wonderland” releases in the US on March 5, and anticipation for the film is reaching a fever pitch. Disney has just announced that it is partnering with several designers and retailers for “Alice” inspired jewelry, cosmetics and even clothing (not available in plus sizes, unfortunately).

Supermodel and now TV mogul Tyra Banks has launched a search for a teen plus size model. It seems Banks, a savvy businesswoman, is striking while the iron is hot on the plus size modeling trend.
The competition, naturally, is called Tyra’s Fiercely Real Teen Model Search. It’s open to teens ages 13 to 19 who wear sizes 12-20 and are 5′9″ to 6′1″ tall. To enter, you’ll need to submit four photos of yourself in leggings and a t-shirt or tank: one full-body, one from the waist up, one face-on …

There have been two high-profile magazine spreads featuring larger models in recent months. The first, from Glamour, included Crystal Renn, Amy Lemons, Ashley Graham, Kate Dillon, Anansa Sims, Jennie Runk and Lizzie Miller, all in the buff. Then, in V Magazine’s January issue, several more plus size models were shown both nude and clothed. The pictorials received a lot of attention and positive feedback from readers. So are agents and models gearing up for more business?

Chicago Sun Times TV critic Paige Wiser has named 10 television actors that she believes will finally get the attention they deserve in 2010. Drop Dead Diva star Brooke Elliott and Community supporting actress Yvette Nicole Brown made the list, along with stars such as Nathan Fillion (Castle), Jayma Mays (Glee) and Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family).

Models.com has posted several photos from the much talked-about plus size photo shoot of V Magazine. The images are from the magazine’s size issue, which hits newsstands Jan. 14. The plus-size models are both clothed and nude, and they are beautiful.

A couple weeks ago, curvy comedian Mo’Nique won a supporting actress Satellite Award from the International Press Academy for her work in “Precious,” playing Mary Jones, the shockingly abusive mother of the title character. The IPA is just one of the groups to recognize Mo’Nique’s amazing turn in the dramatic role this year.