Ella Halikas, a rising force in the modeling world, recently turned heads with a stunning photoshoot that blended bold fashion and powerful advocacy. Known for her role in promoting body positivity and inclusive beauty, Halikas stepped into the spotlight once again by recreating the iconic Victoria’s Secret Angel look—this time with a message that went far deeper than glamour. Her shoot wasn’t just about style. It was about challenging outdated ideals and reshaping the conversation around confidence, health, and what it truly means to be beautiful.

From the moment the photos hit social media, the world took notice. Dressed in lingerie inspired by the signature looks once dominated by size-zero supermodels, Halikas embraced her size 14 figure with pride. The bold imagery quickly went viral, not because it was provocative, but because it was liberating. It struck a nerve in a fashion industry that for decades has clung to rigid standards and rarely celebrated body diversity.

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Halikas didn’t grow up feeling confident in her own skin. In fact, she’s candid about the fact that her journey to self-love was anything but easy. She recalls that during her junior year of high school, her body began to change. She developed more curves and gained about 20 pounds while in college. At the time, these changes felt shameful, especially with the constant stream of comments and criticism from those around her.

She remembers family members making offhanded remarks like “You look bigger” or asking if she was okay due to her weight gain. These comments chipped away at her self-esteem and pushed her into unhealthy habits. Halikas admits she went through a phase of extreme restriction and binge eating, living on repetitive meals like chicken and rice, only to later overindulge out of frustration and stress. She would wake up at 5 a.m., even in the snow, to hit the gym before class, driven by a belief that being smaller equaled being happier.

But over time, something shifted. Halikas began to question the narrative she had been fed about health and beauty. She realized that her worth wasn’t tied to a dress size or the number on the scale. With a renewed sense of purpose, she began advocating for herself—and for every person who’s ever felt unseen because they didn’t fit into society’s narrow definition of beauty.

In May 2020, Halikas made the bold decision to chase her modeling dreams full-time. She moved to Los Angeles with determination in her heart and confidence in her mission. Within just one year, she achieved what many aspiring models spend years hoping for—she landed a coveted spot as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model. Her success wasn’t just a personal milestone. It was a powerful statement that beauty comes in all sizes and that determination can break down even the toughest industry barriers.

The Victoria’s Secret-inspired shoot was a natural next step in her advocacy. Partnering with photographer Henry Jimenez Kerbox, Halikas recreated the iconic runway aesthetic, but this time with an empowering twist. The images were breathtaking—angel wings, sultry lingerie, confident poses—but what stood out the most was the unapologetic self-love radiating from every frame.

For many, the shoot was more than just beautiful photography. It was a healing experience. Halikas received messages from women who finally felt seen, from girls who had never imagined someone with their body type could look so fierce in a setting traditionally reserved for ultra-thin models. One fan wrote, “This level of beauty and confidence gave me chills,” while another praised the photographer for choosing models of all sizes and showcasing their undeniable beauty.

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Halikas is clear about her mission. She’s not chasing clout or superficial praise. She wants people to know that you can live a joyful, vibrant, and healthy life at size 14. Her message is simple yet radical in a world still obsessed with shrinking bodies: confidence doesn’t come from fitting into a mold—it comes from breaking it.

She continues to speak openly about the emotional toll of growing up in a society where fatphobia is normalized. She shares how comments from people she loved made her doubt her worth and how she internalized the idea that she had to change her body to be accepted. But those days are behind her. Today, Halikas is on a mission to ensure others don’t have to fight the same battles alone.

Her message has resonated globally, especially among young women who have long searched for representation in mainstream media. The viral success of her photoshoot has opened up conversations about inclusivity in fashion, and the importance of showing bodies in all their natural forms. It wasn’t just about lingerie or aesthetics—it was a cultural moment, one that demanded people rethink their assumptions about beauty.

Halikas credits her growing confidence to learning how to love herself as she is. “I wasn’t always confident,” she admitted in a recent interview. “I actually was a lot smaller before, but I’m happier now. I feel stronger and more at peace with my body.”

That peace has turned into power. With a strong presence on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Halikas uses her voice to advocate for body diversity and mental health. She’s become a role model not only for aspiring models but also for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t measure up.

Her story reminds us all that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s found in confidence, in courage, and in the decision to show up unapologetically as yourself. Whether she’s walking a runway, posing for a viral photoshoot, or sharing raw, honest reflections online, Halikas is proving every day that she belongs—and so does everyone else who’s ever been made to feel like they didn’t.

Ella Halikas is not just modeling clothes—she’s modeling what it looks like to love yourself fully and fiercely. And for that, she’s become one of the most important voices in today’s evolving fashion landscape