Curve Model Natalie Nootenboom Talks Self Love, Unity and Breaking Stereotypes

by Harper Whelan

Natalie Nootenboom burst onto the modeling scene in 2017 and made history as the first curve model to walk for Anna Sui during New York Fashion Week. Five years later, the 5' 11", Japanese-Dutch stunner continues to reshape the fashion and entertainment worlds by promoting body positivity for all shapes and sizes; she recently strutted the catwalk for Rihanna's Savage X Fenty, appeared in campaigns for Forever 21 and Gap, and made her acting debut in a soon-to-be released movie. What's up next? You'll see Nootenboom and her sister, Yumi Nu, in the Victoria's Secret Mother's Day campaign.

We caught up with Nootenboom to talk about what an exciting--and scary-- time it is to be Asian, if she considers herself a role model, and what changes still need to be made in this age of wokeism.

You started modeling during a time of great transition in the industry. Did it make it easier for you to become an Asian curve model?

One hundred percent. I remember being a young girl and thinking “I want to be a model, but I can’t because I’m not a size zero” and feeling helpless because those were just the rules back then. I’m very blessed because the rules were changing by the time I decided to enter the industry. Many models who came before me had to face many hardships and obstacles just to get their foot in the door. I'm so grateful to them for making it all possible.

Even though Asians are more represented in media, entertainment, and literature these days, what's preventing us from being fully represented? Do you think we’re almost there or do we have a long way to go?

It’s hard to say. The good thing now is that it has become more trendy to be inclusive. That means those who are not inclusive stick out like a sore thumb. People want to be represented at the end of the day. People want to feel like they can relate to the characters they watch on TV or the models they see in ads. And if businesses don't give people what they want, they won't survive.

Even though the entertainment industry has embraced Asians, there’s a lot of anti-Asian sentiment all around. How do you explain this dichotomy and what do you think we can do to foster more understanding, awareness and even love?

It's definitely very strange because, on one hand, we're being represented in more positive ways than ever in media, and on the other, we're being blamed and struck down. I’ve seen it first hand. The biggest thing is to find ways to eliminate "the us vs. them" mentality and instead go more towards a team effort; a "we are all the same and in this together" mindset. One way I can think of is to keep pushing for that positive representation because then there's no excuse for ignorance. No one can say they learned to hate Asian people because it was in the media that programmed them. It would be non-existent.

This is clearly still a problem, even during this time of “woke culture.” What were some other big challenges and how'd you try to overcome them?

I’ve gained and lost weight a lot over the years. I feared that when I lost weight I wouldn’t be considered body positive anymore. At some point, the lines were blurring between the fat acceptance and body positivity movements. No matter what you decide to do—losing, gaining, or maintaining weight—just respecting your body along the way is body positivity. It’s between you and you—not the audience watching.

A lot of people—especially young girls—look to you for inspiration and guidance. Do you feel a sense of responsibility to deliver important messages to them?

I don’t feel a huge responsibility because I don’t do it for them. I keep in mind that people will look up to me regardless if I intend to be a role model or not. I’m just being myself. The truth is that I don’t want anyone to try to be like me. I just want them to be themselves, and if I can encourage them to do that by living my truth, then I’m happy.

Social media plays such a huge role in your profession. Has it also hurt you?

It's had both positive and negative impacts. Professionally, it has offered ways for clients to see my personality more; it helps people to feel like a part of my journey. It can keep me updated on people's lives. On a personal level, it wasn't that good for my mental health because I started seeing it more as a rat race, a comparison game, and a meter for personal validation.

Have you ever taken a break from social media?

Yes, in fact, I recently deleted my social media. It was the best decision I've ever made! It was hard at times to adapt to social environments where everyone was glued to their phones or asking for my Instagram. But I felt a mental clarity, an ability to engage with life and the present moment in a way I never could before. In the future, I plan on having someone run my Instagram. It helps to have one so people can feel like they know what I'm up to. It also helps to have someone run it. That way I can save all my mental focus for my other projects without distraction.

You recently made the jump to film. How different was it from modeling and which one gives you more satisfaction and joy?

I find acting more exciting. Acting to me is way more emotionally involved and a deeper performance art. Both require you to play parts in some capacity. In modeling, you play an emotion like happiness or flirtiness. In acting, you’re playing a person, a character. You're building a world from scratch. To do that takes far more creativity, and it challenges me as an artist and a performer to reach inside myself.

You also sing and write. Are you equally drawn to all of your talents or do you connect to one more than the others?

I think it depends on how I’m feeling and what phase of life I’m in. If I’m feeling inspired by my imagination, I will write. If I’m feeling emotional, that’s when I bring out my microphone. I would say in this time of my life, music is where my heart is.

Did a person or event inspire you to start acting, modeling, singing, and writing?

I had a lot of influences and inspirations growing up. I was surrounded by creative and ambitious people in my family. Adriana Lima was my idol when it came to modeling. I used to watch YouTube videos of her in Victoria’s Secret ads, and I was completely infatuated. Growing up, when I would watch TV, I didn't focus on the characters but rather on the actors playing the characters. Any time there was a talent show, I would go up and perform. When I was about eight years old, I would listen to Lady Gaga and film myself dancing to her music. I’m a performer at heart. I seemed to do it before I knew what it was. Performing was the common denominator.

Is there a quote or piece of advice that you remember and live by?

“Our greatest fear isn’t being inadequate, it’s being powerful beyond measure”. - Marianne Williamson