I think mental health is surrounded in shame, and I think one of the most important things about speaking about it is relinquishing some of that. It’s taken me a really long time in my journey to feel able to speak up and speak out about my own experiences, and even if you don’t feel like you are there personally, having space for others to speak about their own journeys - if they feel comfortable to do so - only paves the way for you to do that for yourself. Speaking about my journey has been a massive part of my recovery and still is, and I hope it gives other people the strength to do the same.

Do you think there is still some shame for you?

Definitely. To talk about it still feels really daunting, and every time I say it, there’s a small part of me that goes, thank God. Thank God that’s out there, thank God you’ve done it, and it’s just chipping it away. It’s really hard but it’s really powerful.

Can you tell us about your recovery from Anorexia?

I was diagnosed with Anorexia when I was 15. From then on, it’s been something I’ve had to contend with daily since, and it’s something I’m constantly aware of.

What came first, modelling or disordered eating?

My Anorexia came first, and then I started modelling when I was 17. At the time, I was probably more going through denial, or less awareness of it. I was quite recovered, but then I think I had my head in the sand, thinking I can live the rest of my life normally and I never have to think about my eating disorder again. But, there have been loads of work situations where I now realise - in hindsight - were so detrimental to my mental health and I never should have done them. I understand they were all necessary to get me to where I am now, and it probably was a terrible idea, but at the time I thought it was a good idea. Now, I can look back and see that situation triggered a relapse. In terms of work: being a model and having an eating disorder, it’s hard to think about whether you are engaging in diet culture from a work perspective, or whether you’re engaging in diet culture from a relapse perspective. Even now, that line is really blurred, and it’s hard work.

What is it like to be in the modelling industry when you are recovering from an eating disorder? What steps do you take to protect yourself?

Strength has only come in more recent years, but it might be that I turn down certain jobs, or I have to remove myself from certain situations - be it a casting, or working with certain clients that I know might make my recovery harder. It’s been really difficult to put myself first in the workplace, as opposed to just in my day to day living, but it’s something I’m incredibly proud of. Now, I feel like I’m strong enough to say: this might be great for my career, but it’s not great for me, and that’s more important.

What do you think about body diversity in beauty and fashion?

I think body diversity in the industry has really improved, and it’s something I’m so happy to see, but I still do recognise a selection process for certain body types, or which might be more ‘palatable’ for the consumer, which is something that needs to be improved on.

How did you come out as bisexual?

A lot of it was gradual. I first started to realise around 16, and I think that also came with the cliché thing of, I might get with a girl on a night out and it might be funny, and then I realised I wanted to do that when no one was looking. I’ve acknowledged the fact I was incredibly lucky, and I never felt ostracised for my sexuality. I personally found it harder to talk about the past few years when I became more serious about it, but that was an internal shift on how I felt about myself, as opposed to how I felt I was perceived. Now, some shame has come around it - not to do with friends - but n the gay community, I don’t feel like I fit in a certain category. I find that quite hard. I don’t feel gay enough, but I’m not straight, so I don’t feel like I fit in with the others.

What does love mean to you?

Love is vulnerability, and love is connection, and love is sharing something, and I think that goes beyond sex or any binary concept. I identify as bisexual, and I think what I’ve learned is that love is anything you want it to be.

Tell us about a unique celebration in your life

I celebrate myself. I celebrate self-love, and I try to do so on a daily basis, even if in a very small way. I celebrate community, and I celebrate connection. I celebrate all the things that make us messy and human, and I just try and have a good time.

What is unique beauty?

To me, unique beauty is self-expression and vulnerability and it is you in your individual form. We are all unique in our own way, and I think that’s what makes us special.

What are you uniquely proud of?

I’m uniquely proud of my journey with mental health, and the fact that I’m able to sit here and speak to all of you about it.

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