In 2008, Whitney Thompson made waves when she became the first-ever plus-size winner of “America’s Next Top Model.” These days, she’s parlayed her win into a successful modeling career — and a turn as an entrepreneur. This past month, Thompson launched TheBoldandTheBeautiful.com, a dating site geared specifically toward plus-size women and the men who love them.
Thompson says she was driven to start the site after her own frustrations with online dating. (And yes, apparently, even models have trouble dating, too). “[When] I would [call myself] a ‘plus-sized model’… guys would expect me to be a really big girl.But if I said: ‘I’m a model,’ [they were] disappointed that I’m bigger. Either way, I wasn’t what the guy was looking for.” Enter her new site, where, she says, “Unlike other dating sites where members feel pressured to fit a certain mould, posting older ‘flattering’ pictures or even lying on their profiles, everyone here has the freedom to be their true selves.”
And for the privilege of finding that special someone, Thompson is charging $40 a month. She thinks it’s worth it, though. “‘I created this site so people don’t have to stress over their profile, but can focus on the fun and excitement of meeting and dating other incredible people of all shapes and sizes.”
[Daily Mail]Original by Julie Gerstein
