Tess Holliday is not any average model. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall, she has colourful tattoos all over her body and she is size 22. Against all odds, Tess has managed to enter an industry that is dominated by super-thin models.

The 29-year-old recently landed a contract with a well-known modelling agency, MiLK Management, which is the first for a plus size model. Tess told International Business Times Australia it was an "out of body experience" and did not "feel real" for her when she first heard of the news. She added she never imagined she could achieve that kind of success.

Social media has played an important role in this success story and Tess is always quick to acknowledge that. She told IBTimes Au in an exclusive interview that social media was a huge part in her getting signed with MiLK. The photos she posted -- and continues to post -- on Instagram have helped her get noticed and achieve her dream of becoming a plus-size model.

"I stared posting photos online of how I do my hair, how I fix my make up and just sharing pictures of my life," Tess shares with IBTimes Au. "I started getting a lot of followers. I believe everyone should own their beauty regardless of their size."

Tess first came to know about plus size modelling when she was 15 years old. Today with more than 500,000 followers on Instagram and a major modelling contract, she has not only broken many stereotypes associated with the term "model" but also become an inspiration for many women out there. The brunette beauty, with the most infectious smile, has already featured in popular fashion magazines such as Vogue Italia and Nylon. She has also done a campaign for Benefit Cosmetics and has worked with renowned American commercial photographer David LaChapelle.

Her achievements as a size 22 person, however, have not put a stop to the bullying that she has been facing since her growing up years because of her weight. She has been receiving a lot of nasty comments after the news broke about her modelling contract. But the people congratulating her outnumber the negativity spreaders, as she has given hope of success to women all across the world who do not fit the mould set by the modelling industry.

In her exclusive interview with IBTimes Au, she spoke about her success as a plus-size model as well as answered questions related to nasty comments and how people view plus-size women. Below is an excerpt:

IBT: After you scored the contract, you have been receiving a lot of nasty comments on Instagram. How are you dealing with that?

Tess: Ignore them. Always.

IBT: How is the online bullying different from the real life bullying that you faced while in school? Does the attack by faceless, anonymous posters bring back painful memories?

Tess: There is only hurt in it if we allow it and I don’t let it change who I am.

IBT: Beauty and fashion industry is all about fitting a particular size mold and being perfect. What can the industry do more to be more inclusive and make women of all sizes feel important?

Tess: Learn to accept people as they are; body type, hair or skin color.

IBT: You have created the hashtag ‘#EffYourBeautyStandards’, which is your way of telling the media and the practitioners of perfect beauty standards, “I’ll wear what I want.” The instagram account for that hashtag has 100k followers. Do you think you have become an inspiration and a role model for many women out there?

Tess: I hope. I just believe in loving and accepting yourself now.

IBT: What do you say to those who think plus size models are overweight and unhealthy?

Tess: Personally, I believe no one’s health is anyone’s business but their own. I think that should be respected. Lot’s of people are over or underweight. I’d rather focus on the changes I’ve made in loving and accepting yourself right now.

IBT: What are your future plans?

Tess: I know I'm not going anywhere, but who knows what the future holds.

For any questions or comments on the article, you may contact the writer at: n.tewari@ibtimes.com.au.

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