Mariel de Leon signs with New York-based modeling agency

Mariel de Leon added another feather to her cap after being signed to a New York-based modeling agency. The former beauty queen announced via Instagram that she is now under True Model Management.

Mariel admitted that she initially thought modeling in New York was impossible to achieve.

“As a ‘bigger’ girl, I never thought I’d be able to fulfill my dream of modeling in the U.S... I grew up being surrounded by + seeing + hearing what the public and media said was ‘model worthy’, ‘beauty queen worthy’ or even just ‘beautiful’ thinking that I’m supposed to drastically change myself into something that I’m not just so I could ‘fit in’ or succeed ; Especially coming from an Asian country wherein the standards are even harder to measure up to... Well, thank God times have changed and the industry is now more diverse and accepting of different types of women and men!” she wrote.

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I’m so excited to finally announce that I am now signed to True Model Management (@truemodelmgt) in NYC! 🖤 As a ‘bigger’ girl, I never thought I’d be able to fulfill my dream of modeling in the U.S... I grew up being surrounded by + seeing + hearing what the public and media said was ‘model worthy’, ‘beauty queen worthy’ or even just ‘beautiful’ thinking that I’m supposed to drastically change myself into something that I’m not just so I could ‘fit in’ or succeed ; Especially coming from an Asian country wherein the standards are even harder to measure up to... Well, thank God times have changed and the industry is now more diverse and accepting of different types of women and men! No matter the size, color, race, or background: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND YOU ARE WORTHY! Through the years I have learned to love myself even through rough times and even if nobody else did. Now, I am the strong and confident woman I’ve always wanted to be. Or should I say ‘confidently beautiful’ and thicc! 🍑 Thank you True Model Management for taking a chance on me! I won’t let you down. See you soon, New York! ✨ Thank you, Lord. 🙏🏻 P.S. I’m still signed under LVD Management (@leovdominguez) for work in the Philippines! 🖤 Photography: @sevenbarrettophoto @sevenbarretto Styling: @aldrin.ramos Makeup: @carissacielomedved Hair: @kiel.hair #truemodelmanagement #truemodel #truecurves #curvymodel #curvyfashion #plussize #plussizemodel #curvesarebeautiful #curvyconfidence #nyc

A post shared by MARIA (mariel) DE LEON (@mariadeleonofficial) on May 30, 2019 at 3:24am PDT

She said that she has learned to embrace herself over time and that she has grown into the confident woman that she is today.

“No matter the size, color, race, or background: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND YOU ARE WORTHY! Through the years I have learned to love myself even through rough times and even if nobody else did. Now, I am the strong and confident woman I’ve always wanted to be. Or should I say ‘confidently beautiful’ and thicc!” she stated.

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MARIA by @sevenbarrettophoto . . . #truemodel #truecurves #beauty #model #photoshoot #browneyes #curvyfashion #curvymodel #curvesarebeautiful #curvyconfidence #nyc #naturalbeauty

A post shared by TRUE Model Management (@truemodelmgt) on May 29, 2019 at 5:12pm PDT

Mariel added, “Thank you True Model Management for taking a chance on me! I won’t let you down. See you soon, New York!”