Why Gigi and Bella Hadid's Model Cousin is Quickly Turning into a Body-Positive Star

Does the name Joann van der Herik ring a bell?
It might be because she’s the younger cousin of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid. The 18-year-old, however, is coming into the spotlight on her own turns as a body-positive model.
Just recently, the up-and-coming star debuted her UK lingerie campaign for Debenhams, where none of the images were airbrushed or photoshopped.

Blessed 🙌🏼 My body wasn’t airbrushed or photoshopped in any way!! I want to thank @thejemmitchell for taking these amazing photos, @kennethsohmakeup for the beautiful make-up, @luciadebieux for the great styling and @choccy_tv for making my hair look lovely 💇🏼‍♀️ and last but not least, a BIG thanks to the best agent ever @12plusuk thank you for always supporting me! Couldn’t have done it without you guys. And also thanks to all my followers for believing in me and always commenting nice and positive on my Instagram, I appreciate you guys so much ❤ #BodyPositive #NoPhotoshop #LoveYourCurves #BeautyBeyondSize

A post shared by Joann (@joannvdherik) on Feb 6, 2018 at 6:21am PST

In an Instagram post of herself posing with underwear from the brand’s SS18 Gorgeous DD+ lingerie, Joann started her caption with the following statement: “Blessed. My body wasn’t airbrushed or photoshopped in any way!!” She does on to thanking her followers for always being very supportive and positive.

‼THIS IS REALITY‼ Yep, this is how I look like when I’m sick. No pants, no showing my good sides, no makeup. I want to show you all that even people with many followers can look and feel like sh*t. People on Instagram aren’t perfect. You’re not alone. I’ve been sick for 3 days now, I’ve felt unhappy, uncomfortable and insecure. I def not look my best right now and that just makes me wanna avoid the mirror. I just want to lay in bed feeling ugly and sorry for myself. But I know that’s not a solution. Instead of doing that, I’m showing you all: my biggest insecurities. I’ve talked about it a couple of times, but my belly rolls and my legs are my biggest insecurities and I feel like showing them makes me beat my insecurities and learn to love them instead. The second picture is my bare face, without washing it or even combing my hair/eyebrows, I think there are still too many people who are afraid to go outside like this. You should all realize that you’re already beautiful, make-up just lightens up the best parts of your face. It doesn’t make you more beautiful. Because you already BEAUTIFUL AF. I know it’s hard. It’s hard showing your insecurities. It’s hard realizing you’re beautiful when you feel like you’re not worthy of anything. I’m lucky I’m confident enough to do it now, but I’ve not always been this confident. It’s a tough road. But realize a few things: if your future daugther or son had your body, or even your best friend, your sister, your brother, would you tell them to hate it? Would you tell them they’re ugly? That they should lose weight? That they can’t wear whatever they want? That they aren’t worthy of love? No. You would tell them that their size does NOT define them. So don’t treat yourself differently. #BeautyBeyondSize #BodyPositive

A post shared by Joann (@joannvdherik) on Feb 6, 2018 at 3:52am PST

This isn’t the first body-positive post that the model has shared. Joanne is known for celebrating her natural self, most recently sharing a photo of herself in her underwear, completely makeup-free. “This is how I look like when I’m sick. No pants, no showing my good sides, no makeup,” she wrote, adding, “I know it’s hard. It’s hard showing your insecurities. It’s hard realizing you’re beautiful when you feel like you’re not worthy of anything. I’m lucky I’m confident enough to do it now, but I’ve not always been this confident.”
At only 18, Joanne is already touching many of her fans. This is only the beginning for her!