Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe is such a breath of fresh air. In interviews, she’s charismatic and wickedly funny. She’s also dealt with issues related to her weight with enviable grace. Take, for instance, what she wore to the Oscars.

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?

Looking for a reason to buy Glamour magazine this month? The November issue features a beautiful photo of seven of the world’s most popular plus-size models, unabashedly nude. The shot includes Crystal Renn, Amy Lemons, Ashley Graham, Kate Dillon, Anansa Sims, Jennie Runk and Lizzie Miller.

A memoir by insanely successful plus size model Crystal Renn was released earlier this month, and you can read an excerpt at ABC News.
Renn has discussed her struggles with weight, including eating disorders. The book, called “Hungry: A Young Model’s Story of Appetite, Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves,” details her journey from emaciated, unhealthy and miserable to curvy and happy size 12.
A recent article from Fox News detailed the horrific health complications Renn endured to stay thin: heart palpitations, excessive water retention, hair falling out and loss of …

The New York times has an interesting piece about “Drop Dead Diva,” Lifetime’s series starring plus-size Brooke Elliott.
Elliott plays size-0 model Deb, who through a mixup in heaven got sent into the body of Jane, a successful curvy lawyer. The show realistically portrays some of the struggles larger people have with their bodies and their weight — being a helluva lot of fun to watch.
The NY Times piece, called “In TV Series, Some Reality on Weight,” includes this insight into why some of us will likely never be thin, no …

I saw a great story on ABC News today about Chloe Marshall, who has been named Miss Surrey and will compete in the Miss England finals. Chloe — a plus-size model who weighs in at 176 pounds — is the nation’s first plus-size finalist.

Here’s what she told ABC:
“I know I will stand out from them but in a good way. I want to bring plus sizes back and I want to show teenagers that you can be beautiful whatever size you are.”
You can see from the picture here, from www.missengland.info, …