A plus-size influencer has hit back at trolls and said she refuses to stop wearing tight clothes just because she’s “fat”.
Body-positive creator Julia Sena, 30, says she’s proud of her figure and won’t let online critics shame her into hiding it.
The social media star, who weighs 320lbs, is known for her unapologetic approach to body confidence – and says she’s reclaiming negative words like “fat” to help others love themselves too.
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“I have been in a bigger body my whole life, so if I’m not being dehumanised by people by being compared to large animals or even pieces of furniture – yes, that’s happened – I tend to get over sexualised and fetishised for my size,” Julia, from Phoenix, Arizona, US, told Need To Know.
“People want to know what it’s like to date a BBW [Big Beautiful Woman] not just because I am one, but because of the harmful stereotypes people associate with it.
“Like being more submissive, easier to get and being treated as an object just for their personal pleasure.
“I constantly use phrases like ‘fat & fine’, ‘big & beautiful’ or ‘hot & heavy’ to help people rethink or rewire the way they’ve been conditioned to view their own bodies and people in bigger bodies in general.
“Despite the constant negativity I’ve received throughout my life because of my body, I know I’ve also experienced tonnes of love.”
Julia regularly posts motivational clips, hyping herself – and her fans – up with powerful messages about confidence and self-love.
In one viral video, captioned “320lbs of idgaf about what you think about my body”, Julia shows off her style in a montage that had viewers cheering her on.
One fan wrote: “More of this energy in the world please.”
Another said: “Love ur energy, continue Queenin,” alongside heart and fire emojis.
Julia said plus-size people still face a lack of representation and when they do appear in the media, it’s often for the wrong reasons.
She said: “Plus size people don’t get a whole lot of representation and if we do, it tends to be as the trope of the ‘fat funny friend’ or the bigger person who’s ashamed to be fat.
“Fat people deserve love, dignity and respect too.
“I’m going to keep creating a space online where people can feel comfortable in the skin they’re in.
“Since I now validate myself, my beauty and my body, I don’t get as down as I used to.
“Self validation has transformed my life.”
Julia says her journey to self-acceptance has been a long one but she’s now prouder of her body than ever.
She said: “This big beautiful body has carried and supported me through the ups and downs of life, relationships ending, the good, the bad and the ugly and so much more – my body has been there through it all.
“Fashion isn’t age restricted and beauty isn’t just for one size.
“Wear what you want to wear.
“My weight doesn’t determine my worth, but I hope you know your weight doesn’t define your worth either.”
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