#EatThatPizza
“I’m a curvy girl. Always have been. I try to eat balanced, I work out regularly, I don’t smoke and barely drink. Yet I’m not a size 34… as a teenager this used to make me very insecure. But growing up I’ve realised that these curves are here to stay. Should I therefor deprive myself to try to fit a certain standard? I’ve had personal trainers before and yes, I can drop a size, shakes and all, but that’s not how I see to live the rest of my life. At the end of the day, you have to listen to your own body. I’m not out here promoting an unhealthy lifestyle. If you take care of your body you CAN indulge every once in a while. It’s about finding that balance. So by all means… #EatThatPizza.”
Slices and sizes
“Your body-type says nothing about your personality or your capabilities. It’s not about size, it’s about being healthy, being happy and feeling confident in YOUR body. That’s what the hashtag is about. Spreading a positive message to girls everywhere, whether that they are a size 34-36 or a size 44-46. It’s not about skinny girls versus thick girls, we are all in this together. We are all trying to move forward, chasing our goals and dreams.”
Curves, goals and dreams
When asked about her goals and dreams, Raia looks up from her slice of pizza and smiles : “I’m currently working on my dream, every day of the week. To be able to combine photography with modelling is like the best of both worlds for me. Off course I dream about the next big gig, the next cover or to become the face of a huge campaign but mainly I would love to keep inspiring people to live their life as they see it. Happy, healthy and to the fullest. The world is (y)ours.”
Go get ’em girl, you have our blessing!
Photography by Evan E. Rogers
Make-up by Gladys Ferro
With special thanks to SLICE in Long Island City, New York.
