Liris Crosse

Liris Crosse, dubbed “The Body” and “The Naomi Campbell of Plus,” is a model, actress, and pioneer in the fashion industry for full‑figured women and Black women. Known for pushing curvy models into mainstream fashion, The Huffington Post named her one of the “Top Ten Most Popular Plus Models,” and Dose.com named her one of the “Top 20 Models Destroying Traditional Beauty Standards.” She was also one of the first plus models to win the model portion of the reality series Project Runway during Season 16.

Liris has graced magazines from American Vogue, Essence, British Cosmopolitan, to Vibe, and appeared in major campaigns for Lane Bryant and Ashley Stewart. She has walked runways for Project Runway, BET’s Rip The Runway, Lane Bryant, Patricia Fields, Chuks Collins, Renee Cafaro, Guvanch, Rene Tyler, Dur Doux, Gita Omri, and Yutee Rone. She also served as the spokesmodel for bridal retailer Maggie Sottero Designs, becoming the first Black plus model to walk Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week with the brand.

Earlier in her career Liris helped change representation in music videos, appearing in Jay‑Z’s “Do It Again,” Beenie Man’s “Who Am I,” Lloyd Banks’ “On Fire,” Big Pun’s “It’s So Hard,” and Lil Zane’s “Not Tonight.” She later became one of the first video vixens inducted into XXL Magazine’s “Eye Candy Hall of Fame.” She has appeared on album covers including Pete Rock’s “Soul Survivor” and Platinum Reggae Volumes 2 & 4, and even became the first plus model to have a video game character modeled after her in the Def Jam Icon video game.

Liris has expanded into acting, appearing on shows and films including Law & Order: Organized Crime, Law & Order: SVU, The Wire, The Best Man, and Baby Boy. She recently appeared as Officer Tanisha Carling on Season 2 of Law & Order: Organized Crime and has filmed supporting roles in Miracle on the Precipice, Tecie, Turn Away, and Seek No Favor.

With over two decades in the industry, Liris continues inspiring women worldwide through her Life Of A Working Model Bootcamp, where she teaches the fundamentals of modeling. Hundreds of models have gone on to sign with agencies and walk major runway shows. Her bestselling book Make The World Your Runway encourages people everywhere to step into confidence and purpose.