I've been on both sides of this fence. I was a 6 most of my life, then I spent a fews years in the size 14 range. I'm working my way back down and I'm now size 8-10. I must say, I was happy with my life but unhappy with my weight. I was more tired and I moved much slower. I didn't realize I moved slower or was tired until I lost about 35 lbs. Honestly, I don't care what any man tells you, but their is nothing sexy or cute about belly fat, bat wings (under arm fat) and dimples in your thighs, nor is asthma, snoring, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure or any of the other ailments that come with being over weight or obese. Fat is NOT healthy NOR is anorexia.

I dont know what hollywood talkin bout but down here in the south......everybody love them some thick black, sexy women. so skinnies, yeah boo boo keep hatin but i love to be able to walk and have a man say "damn she stacked"!!!!!!

Plus size and healthy, YES. Plus size and unhealthy, NO. There is nothing wrong with a THICK MADAM, however if the weight impacts her health then no amoumt of stylish clothes and make up can fix that.

Thank you Essence mag. for this wonderful feature/article. I'm a plus-size voluptous actress and Lord knows it's tough out there. Much thanks to Queen, Jill, Jennifer and Monique who are paving the wave for the rest of us. Thank you to the few Directors and casting directors who have taken a chance with us when skinny hollywood wouldn't give us a chance.

Thanks Essence for this great feature/article. I'm a voluptuous plus-size actress and Lord knows it's tough out there but this are changing in Hollywood. Thanks to Queen, Jill, Jennifer, Monique, etc. for opening up the door for the rest of us. Thanks to Directors that hire us as well despite what skinny hollywood is doing.

I too am plus size. When I was younger it bothered me, but as I got older it didn't matter. I now embrace my size and love it. As I tell everyone I'm secure in who I am. If I was ever a size 2 it was when I was 2. So ladies regardless of what size you are LOVE YOURSELF. Your opinion of yourself is the only one that really matters.

I have to agree with most of the responses here. I think beautiful women come in all shapes and sizes and the fact that society puts women who don't fit into this one particular box as plus size is unfair. It's also unfair that the term plus-size is said like it's a flaw. But I do want to inform a few of you that both Beyonce and Mariah are very small--not size 8 at all. You would be so surprised if you saw them in person. Please believe that when you are told that the camera adds weight, it truly does.

I love all of these ladies, as a full figured woman myself who l-o-v-e-s fashion...here do these queens get their clothes. I hate Lane Bryant where do they get their fab fashions in their/ our sizes?????????

More and more bothers are looking at women that reminded them of their mothers and grandmother in the hips and waist and thighs and butt. A man likes something to hold on to at night as well as in the day time when he is walking down the street with his woman.

I agree with a few ppl who posted that Toccora may not be plus size anymore. However, based on industry standards, which are probably what this spread is based around... she is. Plus size, has been considered at a size 8 in many European countries because thier sizes do run smaller, not saying that I agree, but, that is probably the reason why there are limited 'higher fashioned' pieces in the stores for plus sizes. Also, not everyone can make plus size clothing. I know you all have tried on pieces were the cut is way off. It is a REAL skill. We (I am a size 14), need just appreciate our beauty, because WE are definitely beautiful. Get over it. You are who you are, and if you don't like what is on the racks, start making your own. That is what I do. Maybe the spread could have been titled differently to appease everyone reading, however, it wasn't. SO, if you are FED UP with what you are given, turn lemons in to lemonade and become an entrepreneur.

It amazes me of what society calls plus-size. I'm a plus size woman and was very insecure at one point in time. But thank the Lord for men of God that keep reminding us of what the word of God says: I am fearfully and wonderfully made. It's never about the outer apperance. It's about the heart. We need more plus size fashion that is not cheaply made, affordable, and adorable. Just because I'm plus size doesn't mean that I dont want to look nice.

Also, what I see needed is some serious education on weight before a person can throw out empty comments. Language is powerful and once you tell the average person what he or she is...they will begin to believe it. Watch the language and show some respect! There is a new generation of thicker people born to us continously. Will we continue to dishonor them by telling them they are not 'normal'? Even Essence has disappointed me in the perpetuation of what is plus sized and what is not.

I'm so glad to see woman that look more realistic and not stick thin and emaciated looking. But Essence, identify more than 7, in fact, devote a whole spread to our beautiful woman with real bodies. I love Toccara, she is gorgeous!

I love this finally they have something on essences about full-figured,curvy women. I think they should have a contest on full-figured women that are not celebrities, but normal women with careers, what they like about there body, what was a neg. thing someone said to them and how did they overcome.That would be a great article for essences.

I am tired of people not actually making clothes for bigger women and I am a size 16-18 bottom; 14-16 top, and 5'10. So I know its hard for larger women. And the clothes made by universal designers are usually not fashionable either, if you beg differ take a Jones New York Plus or Liz Claiborne Plus outfit and try to find the same quality and style in the smaller sections, guess what its not there. They need to hire fashion designers who know plus women bodies and style, we are all not 5'2 and 50.