For Liris, 32, who is now dubbed The Body and The Naomi Campbell of the plus-size modelling world, certainly came from humble beginnings. 

When starting out, her statuesque form, cat-like eyes, full lips and flawless complexion got Liris in the door of most model agencies, but she admits her voluptuous shape landed her on the shelf.

Liris, who grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, shares her candid journey to the top with FEMAIL, how she proved her doubters wrong and how she's hoping to take the UK by storm.

'I can recall studying all the major fashion magazines as a little girl so I could see Tyra Banks and my model idol, Naomi Campbell,' she said of her earliest fashion memories. 'I watched fashion TV for all the runway shows and obsessed over Naomi Campbell's runway walk. 

'I still idolise her poise, body and skin to this day and I practiced in my mother's heels back and forth in the kitchen. I'm honored that the plus fashion world calls me the "Naomi of Plus" because she's taught me from afar unknowingly.'

In her junior year of high school, she heard about a casting call in her area for a convention called Model Search America and immediately signed up. 

She was lucky enough to get callbacks from Zoli Models, Elite Models NY, Michelle Pommier and Seventeen Magazine - but there was a catch.

'They all loved me but wanted me to lose weight,' she said. Despite being a healthy size 10 (US 6), Liris received rejection after rejection due to her voluptuous shape.

And even though she chose an east coast giant, Wilhelmina Models, as her mother agency, casting reps still requested that she first lose weight and then come back in six months. 

Instead of giving into their demands or giving up on what she believed was her calling, Liris, who is 5ft 11in, and now size 18 (US 14), took matters into her own hands and created the vision for them. 

She became her own agent and utilised the urban market to achieve her dreams with the help of her agency. 

Liris began to spread like wildfire. Essence, Honey, XXL, The Source and Black Elegance magazines were the first to believe in her vision. With these successes, Glamour, Seventeen and Girl soon caught onto her refreshing image and began requesting Liris for their glossy pages.

She booked top videos for the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Jay Z, Puff Daddy, starred on MTV and landed film roles.

(dailymail.co.uk)