Iskra Lawrence famed for flaunting her "rolls" in undies revealed her mum signed her up to model when she was only 12.
The curve model, 32, from Kidderminster, had her eyes set on a career in posing in front of the camera since a young age.
Mum-of-one Iskra, who now lives in Texas, US, got her big break with Aerie in 2014 after she flaunted her curves and "rolls" in lingerie for a campaign.
READ MORE: Model 'laughed at' over body gets last laugh by becoming curvy star with 5m fans
This was monumental for the body positive movement which catapulted Iskra – and fellow curve models – into the mainstream.
But, where did Iskra's stardom start?
At the age of just 10 she knew she wanted to model – and was eager to get to work.
Iskra then convinced her mum to sign her up for a modelling agency at the age of 12.
The model has now gone onto front huge campaigns as well as being signed to leading modelling agencies, becoming an Instagram star and CEO of her own brands.
She has now reflected on where it all began.
Speaking to Daily Star about the first Aerie campaign, Iskra said: "People had not seen a lingerie campaign with a girl just sat like comfortable in her rolls because everyone has rolls and they sit down, you know?
"And it was just like it was very unposed.
"It was very real, it was not Photoshopped.
"It shouldn't have been game changing but it was.
"So ever since then I think it's just it blew up because it was relatable as that's what women look like in lingerie.
"And now so many brands followed and dropped the Photoshop or just have been more inclusive and not been so posed in a kind of that prefabricated model vibe.
"So it just feels like a relief honestly to see some so much change."
However, the industry did not look the same when Iskra first began her career.
The days of glossy magazine models with ultra airbrushed skin and Photoshopped waists were rife.
But, that was not something young Iskra thought she would have to battle.
"Oh my gosh, I was so young," she admitted.
"I was maybe like 10 or 11 and I entered Elle Girl's 'Search for a Supermodel when I was 12.
"I couldn't like officially kind of be in it till I was 13 but we had like everything ready.
"So as soon as I turned 13, my mum helped me apply – obviously, I was too young to know what to do myself.
"But, I always loved dressing up.
"I always dressed up in my mum's clothes, and shoes, and they were very eclectic.
"I love Kidderminster, but I knew I wanted to explore the rest of the world and it was like, what job allows you to do that?
"And it was like, modelling sounds like a great job to be able to do that."
Now based in Texas with her two-year-old son and husband Phillip Payne, Iskra is certainly booked and busy.
Although Aerie did not renew their contract with Iskra in 2020, she has not been short of work since.
She is currently signed with three modelling agencies – FORD LA, Models 1 UK and WME – all while juggling her job as CEO of skincare brand SaltAir and Self Funding Planner.
Iskra continues to post untouched content to her 5million Instagram fans and advocates for more diversity within the modelling industry.
While she thanks her mum for the support and encouragement to start modelling young, Iskra took the industry by the reigns to establish her career.
"Yes [I thank my mum]," Iskra shared.
"You need that parent support and I know it's a career that a lot of parents get scared by or intimidated by because there really is no rule book.
"There's no manual and especially 20 years ago there was no safety precautions.
"You know, there was no you still is no official union for models and not many protections.
"So it's definitely a scary industry to kind of want a young child to go into but they know I was very sensible.
"I've always had a bit of a wise head on my shoulders.
"So I think they trusted me which was very, very nice to know that they trusted me to make sensible decisions."
Her parents were not wrong to trust Iskra and her ability to act wisely.
The stunner previously told us she was once considered too small to be plus sized and too big for a straight sized model.
Early in her career she was even laughed at by a past agent as they said she'll 'never' make it.
But, it's quite clear that she got the last laugh.
She stuck to her guns and gave the cold shoulder to those who doubted her ability to succeed in an industry she didn't fit the supposed 'mould' of.
You can follow Iskra on Instagram here.
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