Best Selfie: Model Jennifer Atilémile on the 'iconic' career milestone she'll never forget

In 9Honey's weekly series Best Selfie, we present stars with memorable photos to see how they react. Expect memories of joy, heartbreak, and insecurities, all retold through the lens of time.

In the world of fashion and modelling, Aussie Jennifer Atilémile is at the top of her game.

With her striking appearance and unique story, her journey in the industry has been nothing short of impressive.

We sat down with Atilémile to chat about her old Instagram photos, and she took us through all the moments and modelling shoots – from some of her favourites, to others she would perhaps rather forget about.

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Looking back at her photos, Jennifer reflects on the transformation she has undergone throughout her career.

One particular image stands out – a time when she decided to bleach her brows, in an attempt to feel like an alien in her own skin.

Her agent swiftly stepped in to tell her, "You have work on Monday. You must dye your eyebrows back straight away."

Another Instagram photo took her back to her university days, when she and her friends frequented a cocktail bar in Melbourne.

It was the early days of Instagram, where she reveled in the novelty of filters.

"I was very, very cool with filters. I thought it was so artsy," says Atilémile.

Atilémile also reflects on a significant milestone – her first-ever magazine cover shoot, pictured below.

Shot in Australia, it marked a full-circle moment for her, as it was with the same photographer who captured her first campaign.

"I mean, it's something that you dream of. Every model wants to be a cover of a magazine".

Born in Melbourne, Atilémile grew up aspiring to be a model.

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She is now known for her global campaign to promote racial and body diversity in media, advertising, and fashion within Australia.

Among her collection of Instagram photos are snapshots from her iconic appearances in Sports Illustrated and Victoria's Secret.

These accomplishments hold immense significance, especially the latter, as Atilémile was the first Australian curve model to grace the pages of Victoria's Secret's catalogue.

"I never thought, growing up in Australia, just, like, the state of the world, that curve girls would be able to be Victoria's Secret models," she recalls.

"So I can now tick that off my bucket list and, you know, cheer for a new big girl."

To her, these milestones symbolise a triumph of diversity and inclusivity, breaking barriers and defying expectations.

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Atilémile's journey has not been without struggle. In her teenage years, she encountered the harsh reality of the modeling industry when she was asked to lose weight when she was already underweight.

"I think most people know my story by now, but I was in the line for Australia's Next Top Model. I was very underweight at the time and being 15, they wanted to sign me. But I was told to lose more weight," Atilémile explains.

Atilémile's mother, acting as her anchor, stepped in and declined, making the decision that ultimately shaped her path.

It was a pivotal moment that allowed Atilémile to focus on her education, complete her undergraduate and master's degrees, and rediscover her passion for modeling on her own terms.

On returning to modelling after university, she recalls, "I felt comfortable with my body and comfortable with being able to share that".

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Recalling the challenges COVID-19 quarantine, Atilémile says the period became an unexpected opportunity for personal self-discovery.

With no heat products touching her hair for over a year, her natural curls made a comeback.

She marveled at the revelation her curly hair had been a part of her all along, despite never truly noticing it before.

It was a moment of personal growth and acceptance and a reminder of the beauty that can emerge during challenging times.

Watch Jennifer Atilémile's reaction in the full episode of Best Selfie in the video above.

New episodes of Best Selfie drop every Friday exclusively at Best Selfie.