Unfortunately, the trailblazing plus size podcastย The Chenese Lewis Showย hasย ended. After a year-long hiatus, the programโs host, multimedia maven and body-positivity activist Chenese Lewis, made the announcement earlier this month.
โThe decision to end The Chenese Lewis Show was not made lightly. This journey has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,โ the Louisiana native expressed in a press release to The Curvy Fashionista. โIโm deeply grateful to everyone who listened, shared, and supported this platform over the years. The stories told on this show have not only inspired others but have also shaped me personally and professionally.โ
The Chenese Lewis Show first blared through the digital scene in 2008, flaunting its title as a premier podcast dedicated to the full-figured community. The critically-acclaimed production garnered global recognition for its game-changing advocacy and awareness of issues within the plus size industry.
From her influential guests to groundbreaking topics, the pioneering personality shifted the narrative, setting the table for much-needed dialogue in spaces where bigger individuals often felt they had no fit. At a time when candid, thought-provoking conversations werenโt forefronted enough, Lewis brazenly led an uber-successful movement that singlehandedly helped shape many of the discussions surrounding โfatโ culture today.
The Chenese Lewis Show Left a Mark That Could Never Be Undone
By highlighting the importance of embracing self-image, Lewis encouraged listeners never to let the width of their frames stop them from showing up in rooms theyโd been afraid to walk throughโฆ and own it. The Baton Rouge beautyโs unapologetic approach accumulated a massive audience, on and off the air. Nearly two decades later, Lewisโ undeniable light continues attracting the crowdโbe it through the speaker of a microphone or at the pulse of societyโs fatphobic agenda.
Episode after episode, she delivered unparalleled content that went far beyond the click of a button or pull of a plug. However, although Lewis may be calling it quits on her broadcast, she assured longtime fans, โWhile this chapter is closing, my commitment to the plus size community remains as strong as ever.โ
If you didnโt know, Lewis has been a force to be reckoned with through her fearless push for larger-body representation and inclusion for (almost) 25 years now. Deemed โOne of the Original Plus Size Influencersโ by Forbes, this triple threat was crowned the inaugural โMiss Plus Americaโ in 2003. From there, she modeled for Torrid, served as the Coast-to-Coast Spokesperson for Ashley Stewart, and controversially posed nude alongside Americaโs Next Top Modelโs Cycle 10 winner Whitney Thompson for the NOH8 campaign. Butโฆ her stride to becoming one of the most respected in the game didnโt stop there.
With a spot on BETโs iconic prank series Hell Date, numerous brand collaborations, expert appearances, and philanthropic work, the super entertainer/entrepreneurโs impact (certainly) earned her the accolades to show for it. Itโs because of women like Lewis that women like us are audacious enough to showcase the confidence and esteem weโve spent the majority of our lives building.
โDeveloping my confidence and self-esteem has been a journey deeply rooted in the positive reinforcement and guidance I received from my family, particularly my mother,โ the Full Figured Industry Awards Icon Award recipient told Bold Journey Magazine in a 2024 sit-down. โBy turning my journey into a platform for empowerment, I have made confidence and positive body image my personal brand. I strive to inspire others to see their worth and potential, regardless of societal standards.โ
Thank you for 15 years of greatness, The Chenese Lewis Show.
What were your favorite interviews from The Chenese Lewis Show? Let us know in the comments below!
