Lezlie Chan

“The atmosphere in the city wasn’t too ready for diversity when I first started as a plus-size model,” says Lezlie Chan, who shot to stardom after appearing on Extra Beauty, ViuTV’s beauty contest for people with a Body Mass Index of 25 and above. 

In a city overwhelmingly dominated by non-inclusive beauty standards, plus-sized models and entertainer constantly face hurdles and prejudice. In 2021, while still recovering from online bullying, Chan was offered a modelling job for a plus-size swimwear brand, which helped kickstart her career. 

Then, to keep the momentum going, she released her debut single and music video, “Ask to Breathe”. Chan has been passionate about writing and performing songs since high school, and now credits Doja Cat and Lil Nas X as her musical heroes. In 2022, she became an ambassador of the Women’s Festival Hong Kong and Sexual Violence Crisis Support Centre – Rainlily. “I’m enthusiastic about contributing to public welfare, and I want to encourage local women to freely discuss the topics of gender, sexuality and menstruation,” she says, hoping to challenge traditional aesthetic standards and promote gender awareness, social innovation and equality.

Even in her blooming singing career, Chan aims to ensure her message stays prominent and uncompromised by taking full creative control and acting as producer as well as performer. She’s also firmly believes that leading by example would help bring about the change the world needs – even if it starts on a small scale. “Being a plus-size model in Hong Kong has always been a challenge and there isn’t much demand in this field. Keep creating something new and be the innovative one to explore more.”

She’s hopeful for the future. In the next few years, Chan plans to release a full studio album, take part in a fashion show, try out sea diving and visit Antarctica.