Paloma Elsesser: Movies & Box Office

Paloma Kai Shockley Elsesser (born April 12, 1992) is an American plus‑size model who has become a prominent figure in the fashion industry for her advocacy of body positivity and diversity. Born in the London Borough of Camden to an African‑American mother and a father of Chilean‑Swiss descent, she spent her formative years in Los Angeles before relocating to New York City in 2010 to study psychology and literature at The New School. Her multicultural background and academic interests have informed her nuanced approach to modeling, allowing her to navigate both commercial and high‑fashion realms with confidence. Her career launched after she was discovered on Instagram by renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath, leading to runway appearances for Nike, Fenty Beauty, Victoria's Secret, Proenza Schouler, and Mercedes‑Benz, as well as editorial spreads in American Vogue, Vogue España, Teen Vogue, Elle, W, Wonderland Magazine, and Glamour. In 2018 she shared the cover of British Vogue’s April issue alongside an international cohort of models, and she made her screen debut in the Safdie brothers’ Uncut Gems (2019). The following year she graced the cover of American Vogue’s January 2021 issue, and in 2025 she appeared on the cover of Vogue Adria. Her historic win as the first plus‑size Model of the Year at the 2023 Fashion Awards cemented her status as a trailblazer, and she continued to break barriers by walking in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in late 2024. Beyond the runway, Paloma uses her platform to challenge industry norms, championing inclusivity and inspiring a new generation of models to celebrate all bodies.