Cher Rue an Inspiration

Cher Rue  a native Californian grew up in the San Fernando Valley. Cher attended Cal Prep High School.

Growing up around the Media and celebrities was natural to her. Her love for films and television and her desire to help others led her on her path to documentaries and interviews. It is never to late to make your dreams come true, and now she is on her path in acting. Cher was Producer and co-host for her own Cable show with Adelphia Cable for 2 years in Los Angeles.

Cher has been involved in the plus size community for over 10 years, starting out with helping out good friend Kathleen Divine as her assistant in the Costa Mesa BBW nightclub the Butterfly Lounge.www.butterflylounge.com

Cher then went on to have three of her own clubs with different partners. She has always supported the plus size community in finding comradery and friendship,she loves seeing others having fun in a safe atmosphere.

Cher found the BBW community 13 years ago online and her life has changed by meeting some of the kindest most loving people in her life. People have said she has made a difference in their lives, and that touches her heart knowing she has helped someone.

Cher's hobbies include wave running, travel, boating, dancing and being creative. Her love to help others shows by her constant connection in helping charities. St.Jude's Children's hospital and animal charities are dear to her heart.

Cher was a plus size model and has judged many contests for the plus size community.She has a relationship column www.dearchersadvice.com for the last 8 years.

 Cher is always working on new projects and her latest is her own Internet show "The Cher Rue Show" www.thecherrueshow.com which airs live every Wednesday at 6 PM Pacific and 9 PM Eastern. A show geared for size acceptance which she  is the host and one of the show's Producer.

To see more about what Cher Rue has done check out:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2958769/

Sonja Elise Freeman

Sonja Elise Freeman

 Psalmist, Inspirational Blogger & Life Coach

Resplendent, Sparkling, Inspiring, Beautiful and Peaceful are some of the words often used to describe Sonja Elise Freeman which means “Wisdom, Beauty & Peace.” She is driven by her faith in God, love for serving others and sharing her gift of encouraging all who meet her! She is honored by her recent appointment as the Inaugural 2011 Integrity Beauty Woman of Grace and National Ambassador for Integrity Beauty Woman of Excellence Christian Network-Pageantry, Motivational Speaking and Advocacy in promoting the importance of inspiring, empowering and encouraging women that their BEAUTY truly SHINES from within!

Born in Queens, New York but raised in Houston, Texas Sonja Elise is a proud graduate of Fort Bend Independent School District Willowridge High School and Prairie View A&M University, a part of the Texas A&M University system, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance with a minor in Fashion Merchandising & Design. She continued her studies at Rice University Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies Composition-Music Business. She also received a Leadership Certificate from the 2009 Charter Class Inspire Women Leadership Institute at the Dallas Theological Seminary in Houston.

She wrote the school song for Thurgood Marshall High School in Stafford, Texas in 2001 and is a member of ASCAP & the Recording Academy that issues the Grammy Awards annually. Sonja Elise was selected in 2010 to be a Harvey Star Washington Plus Model, who started the career of Oscar winning Actress/Comedian Mo’Nique of BET’s The Mo’Nique Show, out of 8500 inquires and plus models auditioned as well as inducted in the Who’s Who in Black Houston 2010 Directory.

Sonja Elise is the Executive Director for Divine Voices Media Group LLC, an inspirational production, marketing and career coaching company that specializes in assisting all who would like to pursue their dreams while maintaining peace in their spirit.

“Diva’s Diamonds is my platform to encourage, motivate and inspire people to strive for their dreams or vision, but not to compromise their peace through motivational speaking, teaching, blogging, pod casts and song,” says Sonja Elise.

An accomplished and award-winning vocalist, songwriter, toastmaster, poet, plus model and inspirational blogger Sonja Elise Freeman has great passion to assist all she meets to strive to become FLAWLESS like diamonds!
2011 Annual Women's Empowerment Conference at Reliant Center in Houston, Texas where Sonja will be the Conference Emcee and Host!

http://4empoweringwomen.org/

Here's the link Sonja's Official Blog Diva's Diamonds

http://divasdiamonds.blogspot.com

Here's a link that has all of Sonja's Online Presence on one web page

http://itsmyurls.com/divas_diamonds#



The 5th Annual Women's Empowerment Conference is on May 14, 2011 and Sonja's induction ceremony as the National Ambassador and the Inaugural 2011 Integrity Beauty Woman of Grace for Integrity Beauty Women of Excellence Christian Network 2nd Annual Day of Prayer and Pay It Forward is on March 30, 2011!

Danielle Zavala: It's Just the Beginning

Hello my name is Danielle and I am a curvy girl with a bright and energetic personality that is just captivating. I'm fun loving, outgoing, funny and easy to work with =] I am comfortable in my skin and quickly adjust to my different surroundings. I'm in no means a "diva" when it comes to work ethic.

I'm currently featured on Good Rockin' Daddy clothing's website (www.goodrockin-daddy.com) and have appeared in the "We are Sisters" Fashion show with Illeanna Chavira of Royal Fabulosity (www.illeanna.com/). I was also the December/January SKORCH Magazine cover model (www.skorchmagazine.com) I am currently featured in the Bettie B. Dangerous Swimwear Calendar as Miss January. (www.feelingdangerous.com) with photos being taken by Painted Pinups (www.paintedpinups.com).

I also have been chosen as a Finalist in the Miss Curve 2011 Competition that will be taking place at The Curvy Revolution this February in Las Vegas at the Planet Hollywood Hotel! (www.curvyrevolution.com)

Here's my normal little blurb about the stuff that I am currently involved in. I started modeling this past summer and have just loved it ever since. I have always loved being a performer and always knew that I wanted to be a star. I feel so lucky to actually have a chance to follow my dreams of being a star =]

what is your Personal style?

-I would definitely have to say my personal style is modern pinup. I love the vintage style reproductions! They fit a curvy shape better than any other style I've come across.

What are the 5 things you can’t live without?

-French Fries
-Nachos
-My close friends
-My Family
-My Macbook

What’s your motto or life advice that you live by?

-Beauty isn't a size, it's an attitude!

What do you think is the hardest part about being in the beauty and fashion industry?

-The hardest part of being in the fashion industry is hearing the word "No". I was fortunate to grow up in a home where "no" was the answer to many questions so it doesn't bother me as much, but for some women it can be very painful. I never dreamed that I would be fortunate enough to follow my modeling dream so for every "No" I get or "You aren't the right size" I remember the "Yes" answers I've gotten from photographers and I keep working harder to turn those "No's" into "Yes's"!

Any tips for any Pluz size gals out there who want to model?

-Do your research! Make sure to find out where you fit in the Plus size industry. Make sure that your skin, hair, nails are well taken care of. Also, don't be afraid to hit the gym. You can still be plus sized and toned. Go walking with friends or do light weight lifting with your legs/arms to keep them toned. Models should be toned at any size to best show off their shape. Most importantly PRACTICE!! Spend some time in front of the mirror finding out which angle best suits you.

What do you love about yourself?what do you dislike?

-I love my smile the most. I feel that it is the one thing that sets me apart from other models. I love to smile and I feel that it shows in my photos. The one thing I dislike is my arms. I love my body as a whole but my arms are still my one insecurity. I have learned how to try and remember that they aren't as large as I view them but a girl is always her worst critic.

Tell us a little bit about yourself? your hopes your dreams etc.

-My hope is to one day become a Vintage 50's pinup model! I just love vintage styling and feel that it was the one era that praised the curvy woman the best. I would also like to maybe start my own foundation for curvy girls like myself by doing motivational speaking to show women how gorgeous they are!

IS it harder for you to get Modeling Gigs as a plus size Model?
if so share the worse and Best Experiences you had..

-Modeling gigs are difficult to get no matter what size you are. When a designer has a specific image in their mind it doesn't matter if you are a size 2 or size 20 if you don't fit that look you won't be selected. I've responded to several casting calls and have been told that I'm not what the client is looking for, however they like my look and would like to work with me in the future. So a "No" to one thing doesn't necessarily always mean "No".

And what would be your message to any young girl out there about Self-esteem and a postive self image? :)

-All women are insecure about their bodies during at least one time in their life. I know several skinny models who wish they were skinnier and even some that wish they were bigger. Just remember who you are and what makes you happy. I have always been a plus size girl and it wasn't until I learned to love myself that I found the confidence to model and am now being interviewed! I just came to the realization that I will never be a size 2 and it changed my whole outcome on loving who I was. Dreams really can come true no matter what size you are!