We recently connected with Jalynn Brannon and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jalynn, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
When I first started modeling, even though I wasn’t shy in front of the camera, I still had certain areas that could use some work. The ideal model is tall, has a long torso, and a flat stomach but since I represent for the plus size community, most of my features do not resemble that so there a little extra work to be done to compensate. I love my body the way it is, but in the modeling industry you have to maintain a look, so I learned early on that working out and eating right is more then a health decision. I trained in the gym to tone my body, I changed my diet which cleared my skin, and practice my walk until I had corns on my toes! when I first started learning I YouTubed, “exercises for runway models” or ” how to walk the catwalk” but a lot of videos said id have to take a modeling workshop for $1000 but I took my chances still learned how to do it online. I did a couple of shows and photoshoots after this but there were more “no’s” then “yes”. Then I got casted for a fashion show were we had in-house model coaches that helped us with our form, posing, and coordination for free. Not only did these modeling coaches help with my skills but they also helped me realized what I had been doing wrong this whole time! The whole time I could have just focused more on what works best for me instead of how to looks. Most of the time you cant do thing exactly how people want/seen it done and you will beat yourself down over it. The skills I believe are most essential for modeling so to have a strong face, powerful rememberable walk, and a personality that is open and reasonable. In this career a lot of time you don’t have a say in what you wear or how your hair is so being open is essential for a project to run smoothly. The only things that can stand in the way of acquiring these skills would be you doubting yourself, not taking the risk, and stopping after being told “no” or “that’s not good enough”. Learning has never been easy, think about school, so no matter how many obstacles get in the way overcome them and learn from it!
Jalynn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Jalynn but everyone calls me Bigthickk! I’m a 26-year-old plus size model and content creator. I run multiple social media outlets where my follower count is continuing to grow because of the relatable trendy material, as well as informational and promotional content I push. I have been modeling for 8+ years now mainly shooting fashion and apparel campaigns, while also walking in various runway shows. I have a huge passion for modeling and creating beautiful art as the aftermath. I started right after high school and never looked back. You ever had someone tell you the same thing every place you go? well mines was “wow you have a very nice smile” and I would get this comment at least once a day. Now this was the era of the digital camera so me and my siblings love taking pictures, I went back through the camera roll and noticed that indeed I saw potential. My senior year I was giving the opportunity to be the Muse for my friends photography class final, and fell in love with catching these moments she had in mind. The whole process was so surreal and flowed like this is what I’m supposed to be doing, so I stepped it up when I got to college. In college I made a lot connections and met people who had the same goals and achievements as me and this helped me gain more clients but also more followers. My work load went up and then being a “influencer/content creator” came about and it fell hand in hand with the modeling I had already been doing. I started to make relatable content and modeling content in which the people found to helpful and a time saver. The main services I provide include but are not limited to acting as a brand ambassador, meeting with designers to go over fashion looks, participate in promotional photoshoots, and create videos/reviews on products/services provided to me free of charge. When I’m not making modeling content, I’m making art: painting, drawing, DIY projects, or designing my own products. I believe the main thing that set me apart from the other is that I’m more determined and hungrier for it, and making it happen by myself! I want to be able to say I made from my hard work and the support of my clients! My personality also helps me stand out from everyone else, you feel a sense of home or comfortability when I’m working with someone or making something for someone. I don’t stick to just one set niche, I have so much to offer in all departments, that’s what makes me a triple threat. The thing I’m most proud of is finishing every project/campaign and seeing all the hard work and time pay off. All the practices that lead to an awesome show, all the meeting going over mood boards for the perfect shoot, and lastly all the faces of people/clients enjoying the aftermath! One thing I want potential clients/fans to know is that I will do whatever it takes to make sure any project I’m in is performing at the top of its performance level and sharing the story/mission of that brand.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I believe that society is used to the normal, and when stuff is out of the normal, they don’t like it. I think we need a space where not only people of all races can shine and get recognition they deserve, but a place where you can say your option and it just be that-no arguing. The best way to support artist and creatives is to share their artwork, music or podcast even if you don’t listen to it! Like a random post a day to support someone you never met! Society will spend their last on materialistic things instead of something that could help a mass of people or fix a problem we all suffer with. Creative themselves also have to find a mean of coming together and supporting one another instead of hiding their work/ideas in fear someone will copy it. Gatekeeping items and services because you feel like they will be overused, or prices increase has to stop. Thousands of people can have the same idea, but it can be done hundreds of ways. Lastly, I believe that everyone should get a chance, not just the influencers with 10k followers, or just the skinny girls, or one set race. We need to realize that just because someone looks like money or has money does not mean they mentally are able to accomplish the end goal. I think we should foster a place where everyone gets a chance to show their abilities and skills! ecosystems have the perfect balance between everything, not one is better than the other we as a society should mirror that concept.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
my main goal is to produce content and projects of material you barely see or never see at all. Brands are just now becoming all-inclusive in the fashion department, but I want to be the face of the change. I want to be at the front line of the operations, helping change the industry as a reliable source. Plus size models and curvy influencers are the only people who truly understand what it takes to change and makes thing better for us as a whole, and my mission is to get as many of us there as I can. Every morning I wake up thinking, “I could have played that part” ” I could have WORN THAT BETTER” or ” they should have casted me” and I’m tired of thinking that, I want to make it happen! I just want women and men, all shapes and sizes, to be able to express themselves how they want, when they want without any backlash just like anyone else. My main mission statement is:
“Helping and encouraging women and men of every background and sizes to feel okay in the skin there in, if you were ever the underdog now is time to take back your confidence and show the world what it means to be ‘one nation for liberty and justice for all’ ”
we have to understand that people are who they are, we can’t change them because we don’t like it. You never know what someone is going through, or why they are as big as they are, or color their skin, yet we tear them down for self-amusement. So, I say think twice before downing someone who may appear as the underdog because this the time, we take back our confidence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jalynnbrannon.wixsite.com/jalynnbrannon
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bigthickk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jalynn.brannon
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/bigthickk
- Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRMQ263G/ tiktok
Image Credits
cody pace ( @opticsforus) red 2 piece pic, genzo, white dress, pant suite dennis driscoll @driscolldennis orange dress terrel antoni @terrelantoni runway pic