The Health Diaries

Plus-Size Model Liris Crosse Wants You to Rethink What Healthy Looks Like

‘Somebody who is plus-size isn’t necessarily unhealthy or out of shape.’

There are many ways to live a healthy life. The Health Diaries is a weekly series about the habits that keep notable people living well.

Liris Crosse has already been called “the Naomi Campbell of plus,” but the actress and model feels as if her career is just getting started. After winning the model portion of season 16 of Project Runway in 2018, Crosse released her first book, Make the World Your Runway, which includes a foreword by show host Tim Gunn and focuses on how people can improve their lives.

“Being on Project Runway showed me that my voice is needed to create change,” she says. “I want to change the status quo of how plus-size bodies are seen throughout the world. I want all women, no matter their size, to focus on themselves. I want them to live their best lives physically, mentally, and spiritually.”

Crosse travels across the United States to speak about body positivity and being a woman of color. This month she was a featured speaker at the 25th annual ESSENCE Festival. She chatted with Elemental about her passion for bringing diversity to television, her…