Alexa Jay, model and icon, joins the hosts to discuss self love and being curvy in the fashion industry. They also reflect on racial diversity, authentic relationships, beauty perception, therapy, discrimination in nightlife, addressing sensitive issues, desires and goals in the industry, and express appreciation for the podcast.
The journey towards self-love and acceptance involves navigating societal pressure and the challenge of conforming to ideals.
Experiences of discrimination and tokenization in predominantly white spaces highlight the importance of embracing one's identity and challenging toxic beauty standards.
The incident at the club sheds light on the pervasive issues of fatphobia and discrimination, emphasizing the need for accountability and inclusivity in society.
Deep dives
Summary of the podcast episode
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses their journey towards self-love and acceptance, starting from their experiences in a predominantly white environment in college. They highlight the challenges of navigating self-perception and the pressure to conform to societal ideals. The speaker opens up about their struggles with body image, including their battle with an eating disorder and their journey towards healing and self-acceptance. They emphasize the importance of therapy and committing to mental health as a crucial step in their self-love journey. The speaker also addresses the incident at a prominent club and shares their experience of discrimination, shedding light on the pervasive issue of fatphobia and discrimination in society.
Tackling Racism and Discrimination
One aspect discussed in the podcast episode is the experience of discrimination and tokenization faced by the speaker as a black woman in predominantly white spaces. They recount instances of being the only black person in various environments and feeling the need to blend in with white peers in order to avoid judgment. The speaker also shares stories of racism and the struggle to find a place where they could embrace their identity while dealing with societal expectations. They emphasize the importance of separating self-worth from male validation and the need to challenge the toxic beauty standards perpetuated by society.
Standing Up Against Discrimination
The podcast episode highlights a specific incident at a club, where the speaker and their friend were denied entry, allegedly due to their size. The speaker discusses their decision to speak out about the incident, shedding light on fatphobia and discrimination in nightlife establishments. They share their experiences of filming a video calling out the club for their discriminatory practices and the subsequent backlash and attention it received. The speaker also addresses the aftermath, including the lack of a genuine response or apology from the club, highlighting the importance of holding establishments accountable for their actions.
Discrimination and Backlash
The podcast episode focuses on a personal experience of discrimination and the subsequent backlash faced by the speaker and her friend. The incident occurred at a club where they were treated differently and not allowed in while others were admitted. The speaker discusses the journey of calling out the club and seeking accountability, which gained viral attention. Despite receiving support from her manager and agency, the speaker faced significant backlash, including death threats and negative comments. The podcast highlights the societal challenges of speaking out against discrimination and the need for more diversity and inclusivity.
Body Inclusivity and Influencer Trips
The podcast also delves into the topic of body inclusivity and the lack of diversity in influencer trips and campaigns. The speaker shares her experiences as a curvy influencer and the importance of representation for all body types. She highlights the tendency for some brands to prioritize checking diversity boxes without genuinely supporting and empowering diverse voices. The discussion emphasizes the need for lasting relationships between brands and influencers, based on genuine inclusivity rather than tokenism. The speaker expresses her aspirations to collaborate with brands like Skims and MeUndies and also shares her ultimate goal of walking in the Savage X Fenty fashion show.
TW: eating disorders Savage x Fenty, you better listen to this one! After a Grammys debrief (was Beyonce snubbed, or did Harry deserve it?), Josie, Alycia, and Yasmine welcome model and icon Alexa Jay to the studio. They talk everything from the painstaking, crucial journey to self love to what it's like being curvy in the fashion industry.
