Ms. Full-Figured D.M.V. 2022 - Tazah Richardson
Photography- Steve Bennett
Stylist/ Body Painter- Cierra Lynn
MUA/ Hairstylist-Tazah Richardson
Tazah Richardson has been a fixture on the DMV plus size fashion scene since 2006. Her career as a Plus-Size Model, Modeling Coach, Make-Up Artist, and now the current reigning Ms. Full-Figured D.M.V. 2022 has permitted her opportunities from print to runway to television appearances nationwide, all as a freelance model. She attributes much of her success to keeping a positive attitude while navigating the, sometimes not so glamorous, plus modeling industry.
Teaching and coaching aspiring models and dancers is her passion. Growing up she had very positive role models in her life that contributed to her current success. Volunteering as a dance coach at Cardozo Sr. High was her way of contributing to the world she would like to see. She mentored young ladies to be positive influences in their communities in hopes to ensure they encourage others to come along after them. She taught them to pass on the blessings so they will forever be blessed. So it only made sense that she built her pageant platform around providing safe spaces for young artists to create and learn their crafts in the Washington D.C. area called F.A.D., which is an abbreviation for Future Artist of D.C.
Striving to achieve her goals so that she can create new goals is how she lives her life. Speak things into existence and share your knowledge with the next in line and you will be fruitful in all that you do.
Photography- Steve Bennett
Stylist- Ron Collins (Velve Doré)
MUA/Hairstylist-Tazah Richardson
QSM: Congratulations on winning Ms. Full-Figured D.M.V. 2022 last August. You have a long history with us; you are like family over here at QSM. So, it goes without saying that we were super excited when you won. You are a few months away from your one-year anniversary. What have you been up to with that crown?
Tazah: First, I want to thank my QSM family for all your encouragement! I am forever grateful for all you do to support the Ms. Full-Figured pageant system. It seems like just yesterday that Director Lorine Coleman-Ross was placing the crown on my head and now we are only a few months away from the crowning of our next Ms. Full-Figured DMV. I have been able to accomplish a lot during my reign. I established my non-profit, Future Artist of DC (F.A.D.). We held an art supply drive in December to put art supplies in the hands of young artists during the holiday. Currently hosting a clothing drive collecting business attire for the youth that are ready to enter the work force. I produced a 2023 Ms. Full-Figured DMV 2022 calendar to raise proceeds to fund events for F.A.D. and I am currently planning a young photographer / model meet-up.
QSM: Let’s backtrack to the why. You have been killing the model game for so long; what made you compete in pageantry?
Tazah: Life is all about evolving and I felt like it was the next step in my evolution. I am passionate about so many things, and I truly felt like I wanted to be more involved in my community while still incorporating the razzle dazzle that is Tazah lol. If I’m being honest, I was actually going through a pretty tough time in my life. I was going through a breakup from a very long-term relationship, and I was beginning to question “why I wasn’t enough” and dwelling on all the things that I considered to be negatives about myself. I needed the sisterhood, love, support, and comradery that comes with going through this process with the Ms. Full-Figured DMV division. It really brought me back from a dark place.
QSM: What challenges would you say you have faced so far on your journey?
Photography- David Hill (Hill Street Photography)
Stylist- Ron Collins (Velve Doré)
MUA/ Hairstylist-Tazah Richardson
Tazah: I’ve struggled with managing so many things at once. I still have a 9-5, modeling, doing makeup, model coaching, organizing events for F.A.D., and attending events as Queen, all while trying to manage a personal life. It is not easy, not that I thought it would be. I just wish there were more of me sometimes lol.
QSM: Tell us about your platform “Future Artist of DC” (F.A.D.).
Tazah: Future Artist of DC, affectionately known as F.A.D. is a non-profit organization designed to create a safe space for young creatives across all artistic mediums to cultivate their talents. We host events that provide resources, training, and networking opportunities to young artists. Most importantly, teaching them how to monetize their talents.
QSM: Who are YOUR plus icons? Modeling and/or pageantry.
Tazah: My two top plus Icons are Precious Lee and Alexis Henry. They are both not afraid to push the boundaries of fashion and beauty. They are both timeless beauties and neither of them have the traditional hourglass figure and are still extremely successful in their careers and it is representation for me. I can see myself when I see them on the runway and in top publications.
QSM: I want to tap in on something personal that happened to you not too long ago. You literally almost lost your life. Can you share some of those details?
Tazah: We going deep this time lol. I don’t mind sharing because what happened to me happens to so many women and my experience could help someone else. In 2019 I had an ectopic pregnancy that literally almost killed me. I was pregnant for about 2 months and didn’t know it. The baby was developing in my fallopian tube. My fallopian tube ruptured, and I was hemorrhaging into my lower abdomen. I felt that something wasn’t right, but I ignored my body. By the time I decided that it was time to go to the hospital, roughly half of my body’s blood had pooled up in my abdomen. The doctors had to perform an emergency surgery to drain that blood and I lost the baby, one of my fallopian tubes and almost lost my life. As I look back, I realize that I did not take good care of myself. I produced a full fashion show the very next day from a wheelchair. Everything in the world came before my health. I am still working on putting myself first but what black woman isn’t.
QSM: How has that experience changed your life?
Tazah: I learned to listen to my body and my intuition. If it doesn’t feel right mentally or physically, I act on it immediately. I carry this through every aspect of my life. I also have a greater appreciation for this one precious little life I have. I can’t take anything for granted anymore.
QSM: I remember that situation and I know I speak for all that love you, that we are so glad you came out on the right side of that. WHEW! Let’s get back to pageantry. I know that you will have to compete in Nationals soon, but do you see yourself competing in pageantry again in the future? Even if it is with a different system.
Tazah: Maybe one day I will compete again in the Exquisite category but one pageant at a time lol. This is an expensive process.
QSM: What did you learn from your experience that you can share? And what advice would you offer anyone else who wants to compete in a pageant?
Tazah: I learned to ask for help. I struggle with that, always have. In pageantry you need a team to be successful and you can’t be afraid to ask for sponsorship. Sponsorship is so helpful when trying to pay for gowns, shoes, hair, makeup, and jewelry etc. If I could offer any advice, it would be to focus on what motivated you to compete to begin with. If you lose sight of that, you can get distracted by what other people are doing, leaving room for self-doubt. If you’re going to reign as a Queen, there is no room for self-doubt. It's all about confidence, grace poise and trusting your first mind.
QSM: What’s next for Tazah?
Tazah: Folks should keep their eyes open for the next IssA LooK Posing Class, the Youth Photographer / Model Meet-Up sponsored by F.A.D. and of course I'll be competing in the Ms. Full-Figured U.S.A. brand pageant system in November!
QSM: Congratulations on everything! Please let people know where they can follow and support you and your platform
Tazah: You can find me on FaceBook @ Tazah Richardson or Ms Full-Figured DMV 2022. I can also be found on Instagram @Tazah_themodel , @MUATazah or @IssALooK.PosingClass
Future Artist of DC
My platform is “Future Artist of DC” (F.A.D.) Art is a voice and our children want to be heard. With this platform I intend to expose youth, predominantly at-risk teens to the many opportunities that art programs can provide them. Exposing the youth in DC to the art that surrounds them everyday in their very own city. I know first hand what artistic expression can do for youth that feel like they don’t have a voice and I want to give them the chance to be heard!
