Episode 54: Supermodel Gizele Oliveira on Body Shaming, Tips to Achieving Magnetic Confidence, and Brazilian Beauty Secrets
Gizele Oliveira has one of the most recognizable faces in the world. From magazine covers to the face of major campaigns such as H&M and MAC Cosmetics, to the controversial Victoria's Secret Show, Gizele reached global supermodel status but is now fighting back on the industry. As her body changed over the years (as the body is meant to!), she's been outspoken about the body shaming she has received from brands. In this episode, Gizele shares the colorism she received in the beginning of her career, as well as how diet culture is changing and how the resurgence of early 2000s trends is affecting toxic body image. Her honesty about the fashion industry and her sincerity about body inclusivity makes this episode one you definitely won’t want to miss.
SHOW NOTES:
This episode of The Everygirl Podcast brings it to the runway with Brazilian supermodel Gizele Oliveira. The conversation begins with Josie asking Gizele for her story: Gizele shares what it was like to grow up poor in Brazil knowing that she had dreams of being a model, how she made use of early photoshoot opportunities, and what it felt like to finally be signed with a modeling agency. She discusses her confidence journey from a shy young girl, through the colorism and body shaming she faced in her early years as a model in Sao Paulo, and finally her journey to becoming a huge hit as a model in Miami. Josie and Gizele also have a conversation about authenticity on social media, since Gizele was one of the first people to gain a massive following on Instagram in 2012. Josie asks Gizele to explain what it was like to become such a sensational model in New York, and Gizele discusses some of the challenges she faced, from body shaming to difficulties booking a bikini campaign. She shares how she had thought abut giving up on her modeling career, but knew she had made it when she saw herself on a billboard in Times Square. Then, Josie asks Gizele to discuss a recent experience she opened up about on her Instagram, in which she called out a designer for body shaming and poor treatment during a fitting for a runway show. Gizele explains how her body has changed since she has turned 30, how that change has actually boosted her personal confidence, and how poorly received a change in a model’s body is within the fashion industry. She discusses how disturbing it is that bodies and body sizes become trends, and how she knows there is a better, more inclusive way to approach fashion. Josie asks Gizele about her time as a Victoria’s Secret model, especially since Victoria’s Secret has been criticized for projecting unhealthy beauty standards onto women, but Gizele shares that the Victoria’s Secret show was actually the most inclusive one she had ever been a part of, specifically from a racial perspective. She also shares her confidence tips, especially for those who are struggling to love the things about their bodies that are truly their own and make them unique. The episode closes with Josie asking Gizele for some of her beauty tips—she is a supermodel, after all.
Must-Listen Moments:
[5:04] Gizele’s childhood growing up in Brazil, and how she came to love photoshoots and modeling
[16:14] What is the modeling industry really like, and what are some of the uglier sides of it that often go undiscussed?
[25:53] Gizele shares the story of how she was treated poorly at a fitting because of her size, and how she clapped back at the brand on Instagram
[35:31] Gizele explains how the return of Y2K style and fashion is causing a resurgence of fatphobia and thin privilege
[46:39] How can we embrace our insecurities and differences as some of the most beautiful parts of ourselves?
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