Samyra: Artist, Advocate, and Icon

Meet Samyra, a Harvard-educated force who is redefining the game across multiple industries. With viral hits like “Plus Size Freestyle” and “Supermodel,” a powerful political voice, and a striking presence as a model, this artist, beauty mogul, and advocate is a masterclass in inclusivity, individuality, and self-preservation.

Navigating Adversity with Artistry

Samyra wears many hats, seamlessly blending aesthetics, artistry, advocacy, and resilience. Her journey is marked by significant moments, including a recent public exchange with rapper Cardi B. After Cardi B made derogatory comments about her plus-size fans, Samyra publicly called out the remarks. What followed was a defensive response from Cardi and fatphobic ridicule from some fans, prompting Samyra to share educational resources which were dismissed.

This incident highlighted the intense scrutiny Black women who deviate from conventional beauty standards often face. Samyra, simply by voicing her perspective, was thrust into a role of activism. However, as she emphasizes, the issue isn’t her voice, but the societal climate that necessitates it. She has since stepped back from social media to recenter, a move she defines not as weakness, but as self-love and a refusal to tolerate disrespect.

The Intersectionality of Fatphobia

Samyra has been vocal about the importance of speaking up against fatphobia, stressing its intersectionality with racism and misogyny. She points out that while outrage often follows derogatory comments about darker skin tones or certain hair textures, similar widespread condemnation is not always afforded when fatphobia is challenged. This disparity, she argues, invalidates the struggles of plus-size advocacy compared to other marginalized aesthetics.

She believes her call-out wasn’t just for herself but for young girls and anyone who looks like her. Samyra even noted that her intention was also to educate Cardi B, who has herself spoken about the impact of body shaming. “I really was speaking up not only for myself, but for young girls, for anybody who looks like me… And even for Cardi B—because she herself has spoken about how horribly the body shaming has affected her.”

A Legacy of Fat Black Feminist Thought

Samyra’s work is grounded in a rich lineage of fat Black feminist thought, drawing inspiration from thinkers like bell hooks, Roxanne Gay, and Sonya Renee Taylor. She acknowledges that she is “not the first or the last to advocate” and stands with a community of women who have paved the way, citing figures like Chastity Garner, Gabi Fresh, and Nicolette Mason.

Her resilience is also inspired by her mother, Sandra Miller, who pursued law school while pregnant with Samyra and passed her bar exam on her due date. This inherited strength is evident as Samyra navigates the pressures often placed on Black women to be superhumanly resilient and emotionally detached. She champions the idea that taking a step back to recharge is an act of self-love, not weakness.

Activism Through Art and Business

Samyra artfully blends her activism with her art, making her advocacy accessible and impactful. Her viral song “Plus Size Freestyle” has garnered over 80 million views, and her voice has been heard everywhere from recording studios to major events like the Sugar Bowl. As a model and consultant, she embodies the change she wishes to see.

She notes that fat Black women are often denied the individuality afforded to others, frequently reduced to stereotypes. Samyra actively challenges these limitations by gracing beauty publications and modeling for brands committed to plus-size inclusivity. For her, navigating life’s challenges and societal pitfalls isn’t a performance; it’s simply who she is. “I have just always strived to be authentically myself. Some people like to say I do too much. I haven’t done enough, actually. I’m just getting started.”