KENDRA SALMON - This is what confidence looks like
Kendra Salmon, a plus-size model hailing from New Jersey. She is an esteemed healthcare worker serving on the Oncology Unit at a local hospital. Kendra is an active member of The Ruff Ryders Lifestyle community. Recently, she achieved the prestigious honor of being crowned Miss Congeniality at the Miss Full Figured Caribbean Pageant. In the year 2020, Kendra was appointed as the brand ambassador for My Beautiful Fluff. Throughout her three-year modeling career, she has collaborated with several exceptional photographers, including Ariel King Cary, Jose Pagan, Terence Latham, and Zakiyah Caldwell.
Kendra’s ultimate goal with modeling is to inspire a multitude of women to embrace and appreciate their natural beauty. She is eager to collaborate with designers and has a particular interest in working with Fashion To Figure, Savage Fenty, Fashion Nova, and Pretty Little Thing. An interesting fact about her is that although she doesn't have any biological children, she deeply loves and cares for her two nieces and nephew as if they were her own. Among her notable accomplishments in modeling, she recently won the Show Off Your Fluff contest for My Beautiful Fluff and has graced the cover of Faschic Magazine twice. This year, she will once again compete in the Ms. Full-Figured Caribbean U.S.A pageant with hopes of securing the crown. Participating in the pageant pushed her outside her comfort zone, and she thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the experience. The bond within the Ms. Full-Figured sisterhood is truly incredible.
She can be contacted through Facebook at Bella Donna or on Instagram at bella.donna_beauty.
QSM: As a healthcare worker, what motivated you to pursue a career in this field?
Kendra: As a healthcare worker, what motivated me to pursue a career in this field is my heart for helping others. And seeing my family members in the health field changing the lives of others. If you can help someone please do, you never know what they are dealing with.
QSM: What do you find most fulfilling about your role as a healthcare worker?
Kendra: First, I love my amazing coworkers. They are all amazing people who like me want to do nothing but put the patients and their needs first. In some cases, we are the last group of people they see. We are all about making the patients reassured that they aren’t fighting this battle alone.
QSM: Speaking from experience, healthcare is a demanding field; so, what self-care practices do you prioritize to prevent burnout and maintain your own well-being with all the different hats you wear?
Kendra: I practice little mini getaways. It doesn’t have to be anywhere far it can be somewhere as close as Atlantic City. I meditate with sage often. I visit a day spa at least once a month to get in some me time. Last but not least, I love to go shoe shopping, preferably for a nice pair of heels. That’s my happy place because a Queen should never buy boring shoes. Always practice self-care because you are no good to anyone if you don’t make yourself a priority.
QSM: What inspired you to pursue a career in modeling, and how do you believe your unique background and experiences will contribute to the industry?
Kendra: What inspired me to be a model is my love for pictures. I love getting pampered for photoshoots such as makeup, hair, clothes etc. I love how I transform into my alter ego Bella Donna. She is very fierce, bold, and courageous. My friend Rasheedah encouraged me who is also a plus size model that if this was something I was passionate about that I should go for it. I’m very grateful that I did because if you can believe it, you can achieve it.
QSM: Modeling often requires individuals to adapt to various styles, trends, and creative directions. How do you approach versatility and adaptability in your work, and how do you ensure that your personal style shines through in every project?
Kendra: I have always had my own style. But I can also go from wearing an evening gown by the railroad track to being a mermaid by the water. I make sure I leave my mark in whatever I do. You will remember this face.
QSM: The modeling industry has undergone significant transformations in recent years, with a greater emphasis on diversity, body positivity, and inclusivity. How do you envision yourself contributing to these important movements, and what steps have you taken to promote a more inclusive and representative industry?
Kendra: I began modeling at the age of 40. There is absolutely nothing I can’t do. Age has never stopped anything that I am aiming to go for. I do a lot of body positivity photoshoots because beauty is all about how you feel on the inside. I envision myself continuing to encourage women to step out of their comfort zones and just do it. Never say what you can’t do, just give it a try.
QSM: Between being a healthcare worker and a model…. Let’s talk about Ruff Ryders. Whaaaat? Lol
Kendra: I’m a part of the Passaic County Ruff Ryder bike club. I have been a part of it for 10 years. My biker name is Short Stakks.
QSM: Ok Short Stakss, let’s talk pageantry (lol). This is your second year competing in the Ms. Full-Figured Caribbean U.S.A pageant. What inspired you to participate in the pageant? And then to come back and do it again?
Kendra: I have always known about the brand. The one person who inspired me to do the pageant was the 2021 crowned Queen Lajuan Henry. She is not only one of my biggest cheerleaders, but she is my friend. She is also my designer. She designed my culture look and evening gown for the pageant last year. Even though I didn’t win, I didn’t walk away empty handed. I gained a beautiful sisterhood. I also placed Ms. Congeniality and I was very grateful my amazing sisters chose me. I have always had a nurturing personality and a huge heart full of love for others. Earning that crown was an amazing experience that I’ll never forget. I came back for the crown a second time because I don’t give up. It’s all in God’s timing and I believe in myself to know I Kendra Salmon representing Jamaica deserves that crown.
QSM: Other than winning the crown, what do you hope to achieve through this experience?
Kendra: Other than winning the crown I would love to achieve men and women knowing the importance of a mammogram. I want to achieve the fact of knowing women of any age and size can achieve anything they put their mind to.
QSM: How do you believe the Ms. Full-Figured U.S.A pageants contribute to society, and what message do you think they send about beauty standards?
Kendra: I believe the Ms. Full Figured USA pageant contribution to society is a wonderful platform where size has no barrier on Beauty. Women of different lifestyle, cultures and backgrounds come together as an amazing sisterhood.
QSM: How do you personally define beauty beyond physical appearances, and how would you encourage others to embrace their own unique beauty?
Kendra: To me beauty begins with the heart first. Beauty to me starts within you. You can have the prettiest face with the nastiest demeanor. We all are beautiful in our own special way. Beauty is also how you treat others. I would encourage others to embrace their own beauty by always being true to yourself. Never dim your light for anyone. If you feel you are beautiful that’s all that matters. Self-love is always important.
QSM: What is your platform and why is it important to you?
Kendra: My platform is Breast Cancer Awareness and the Importance of a Mammogram. The main reason why it’s so important to me is because I have worked on an oncology floor for 15 years. And I have seen it not only affect women but men as well. I have seen patients lose their life to breast cancer and they mentioned they wish they had got their mammogram and annual checkups. This is one disease when it is diagnosed it doesn’t only affect you, it affects everyone around you. Please take care of your body, you only get one.
QSM: Good luck on the pageant and in everything else. Hopefully we can announce in our next issue that you took home a crown.
Kendra: Who would have thought little Ol’ Jamerican Kendra. Born in Queens raised in England who went to catholic school would be on Queen Size Magazine cover. Let alone entering a pageant. Thank you so much Tawana for this amazing opportunity. I am forever thankful.
images (blush jumpsuit and pink & black suit) shot by Philip Drew @photosbypdrew
images (with snake and pink dress) shot by Marcus Harris
