Lauren Chan – The Only Plus-Size Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie to Come Out As Queer

Lauren Chan is a size-inclusion activist, having made an impact on the fashion industry over the past decade as a model (JAG), fashion editor (Glamour), and exited plus-size clothing brand founder (Henning, acquired by Universal Standard). In 2023, she became a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit rookie and has since branched into television hosting. Chan identifies as AAPI and LGBTQ+; her pronouns are she/her.   

Laura opens the show by talking to Lauren about when she came out as gay and what her adolescence was like. This leads Lauren to talk about being married to a man for 13 years before she realized she was queer. Lauren talks in-depth about her realization and discusses what being a part of the LGBTQ+ community means to her.  

Lauren talks a bit about being Canadian but spending most of her time in New York, while still being able to go back to Toronto once a year. Laura then asks Lauren about being a size-inclusion activist and a plus-size model. This leads to a discussion about societies beauty standards and how they change over time.  

Before they wrap, Lauren talks about how she first got into modeling, and what that was like while being plus-size. Lauren also talks a little bit about her Chinese and Armenian heritage.  

For More On Lauren Chan:
Email – lowe@ssmandl.com 
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lcchan/?hl=en  Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/laurenchannyc/ 
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@lcchan 
Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenchannyc/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room–6052418/support.