DOMINIQUE WOODSIDE: RISING FROM THE CONCRETE
Dominique Woodside, also known as La Diiva, is a remarkable New Jersey native whose journey transcends the runway. She wears many hats: plus-size petite model, pageant queen, student, teacher, and devoted mom of two. But her story goes far beyond these titles.
As a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, and postpartum depression, Dominique’s resilience shines through. Her New York roots led her to New Jersey at the tender age of 5, where she grew up in Woodbridge. However, her seemingly idyllic childhood was marred by abuse—both sexual and physical. Trusted family members exposed her to unspeakable acts, leaving scars that she carried in silence.
But secrets have a way of surfacing. When Dominique finally revealed her trauma, she embarked on a healing journey. Along the way, she discovered her passion for acting and broadcasting. As a professionally trained actress, she graced the stage and airwaves, sharing her voice with the world.
Her modeling journey began as a college student, where she not only walked the runway but also coached aspiring models. Dominique’s impact extended beyond the catwalk, as she helped produce and train models for Middlesex County College’s “We Set The Trends” Fashion Club from 2009 to 2014.
Life took an unexpected turn when she became a mother. Forced to take an 8-year hiatus from modeling, Dominique faced extreme weight gain, postpartum depression, and even attempted suicide. Yet, from this pain, she emerged stronger. Today, she wears her titles with pride: Ms. Full-Figured New Jersey 2023 First Runner-Up turned Honorary Queen, Kurvacious 2024 Valentine’s Day Fashion Show Model, and the 2024 10th Anniversary District of Curves Model.
Dominique’s advocacy extends to mental health wellness in parents and emerging plus-size petite models. She wants parents to know they need not suffer in silence during the postpartum period. Her story is one of resilience, empowerment, and breaking the silence—rising from the concrete to inspire others.
QSM: Can you tell us more about your journey from experiencing trauma to finding healing and empowerment? How did you navigate this difficult path and what advice would you give to others in similar situations?
Dominique: You know, what’s crazy is it took me so long to realize what was happening to me was traumatic and not normal. For me, believing it was normal was a form of comfort in order to make it through. I was about 16 when that comfort was broken, and the healing began. I was at a friend’s house watching a “Law and Order SVU” episode when the episode was so relevant that I detailed to my friend in a joking matter how similar my story was to the victim on TV. When I spoke about it for the first time, I couldn’t take it back, so I knew it was my time to reclaim the pain back. I started the pattern of finding healing in telling my story of what happened to me and encouraging others to tell their story as well. My journey started with telling my family and close friends. Doing this allowed me to connect with them and allowed them to tell me their stories as well. I tried therapy a few times but found no connection with the right therapist, so I turned to books. My biggest take away from my healing journey is, healing is like a large onion. Every time you peel back one layer, there’s another underneath until you get to the center which is the root and that…. That is the sweetest part of the onion. Once you get to the root, you can grow a new one. Grow, nurture, and take time with this new onion. It may make you cry, and you’ll make some mistakes, but you’ll learn with every new onion you grow.
QSM: WHEW!!! I can’t tell you how much I related to that! Let’s take a shift to let people digest that for a minute. Your story includes a transition from acting and broadcasting to modeling and coaching. How do you see these different forms of expression intersecting in your life and work?
Dominique: I’m sure we all know, dealing with customers and people in general is never easy. Being able to flex my style of communication helps with the challenges of communicating with someone who might not think the way I think or communicate the way I do. In acting you have to put yourself in the character's shoes in order to understand how to portray the role. Broadcasting allows me the opportunity to put myself in my listeners’ shoes and forward think what they’ll want to hear based on what’s going on around us. With modeling I think about what the designer would want (if not present) and what the audience would want to see in order to sell the garment. All of these together allowed me to be a model coach, in my past, to teach my models to have the same mindset. When we put on shows for Middlesex County College, we incorporated modeling, acting, dancing, set design and hosting. It was really an entire production. With graphic design, I use my skills to promote and drive in the clientele needed to sell myself in every avenue.
QSM: I know this feature drops in June, but I want to address something since it is still Mental Health Awareness month as we are doing this interview. Although I think every month should be mental health awareness. As a survivor of domestic violence and postpartum depression, how do these experiences inform your advocacy work, particularly in mental health wellness for parents?
Dominique: You’re hitting me with the heavy stuff. In all seriousness though, I try to educate the masses and not just the survivors. I encourage survivors to know there are resources available to help them through whatever kind of trauma it is they are experiencing. I do my best to directly supply those resources to those who have contacted me directly or have access to my platforms. I am connected to so many people who can help them get to a better mental space, but they have to be ready for the change. I encourage everything from seeking a spiritual healing and connection, whether it be yoga or church, my personal choice is God. God saved me the first time I attempted suicide (I was 12 and had just received the beating of a lifetime) but was unsuccessful. I remember I had a dream that same night telling me “Your pain isn’t for nothing, you are destined for more. Now WAKE UP”. I encourage listening to books, like Tabitha Browns “Feeding The Soul (because that’s my business)” which helped me get in a better mental space right after my 2nd suicide attempt due to postpartum depression. Her voice was soothing and made it easier to connect with her because it was almost therapeutic. I encourage those who have access to it, find a therapist. I encourage those who need it to be consistent in taking their prescribed medication. I encourage musical therapy as well because good music can change your whole mood. But I also encourage those around to check on our family and friends. Sometimes we don’t ask for help. Sometimes our people are so used to us being strong that when we are having a hard time, we aren’t heard. So encourage us to get to a place where we spend time with those we love and care about, you never know where someone’s mind is and how you just simply popping up can change their entire day. So right now, I just want to take a moment. Hi mom, Dad or guardian. I know. As parents it can be so difficult to catch a break. From dealing with everyday life and now overstimulation from your child who is either mirroring you or showing you how different they are from you but it’s okay to take a break. Go for a walk with the kids or simply get them situated in a safe craft while you take a cold or hot shower to relax. Maybe even cry if you need to. Just know that these feelings of frustration WILL pass so allow yourself some grace.
QSM: Let’s talk more about your journey of coaching aspiring models. What are some key lessons you impart to them, especially those who may not fit traditional modeling standards?
Dominique: When coaching other models, I would try to make sure everyone leaves practice feeling and looking better than when they came in. I play no games when it comes to doing the job, but I would always pour into my models because you have no idea what someone is carrying with them throughout the day. We have a goal to accomplish but making sure you’re good is what matters first. I’ve had girls come to rehearsal with heartache and leave refreshed because we hype them up as they walk to remind them that there is still some joy in the chaos of life.
QSM: Can you share how being a mother has influenced your perspective on modeling and advocacy, particularly in embracing body positivity and representing diverse forms of beauty?
Dominique: I think it’s no secret that I’m plus sized. Now although I didn’t grow up with seeing plus sized women in the beauty industry, I saw me. Although very humble, I was always sure of myself at a very early age. With this same mindset, I instill in my girls, their friends and my nieces and nephews that THEY are their blueprint for beauty. As a mom of two beautiful but very different looking girls, I always made it my mission to make sure they always felt beautiful, even if they didn’t feel that way. I of course take my time to nurture their minds and dissect where the thoughts of “I’m not beautiful” would stem from. Once I get to the root of the issue, I acknowledge those feelings, so they get that I understand why they feel that way. After acknowledgment comes encouragement. Leaving room for my children to form their own opinions is so very important to me but just as important as not allowing their minds to be tainted by modern day beauty standards that aren’t always friendly to black girls who look different.
QSM: What challenges have you faced in balancing your various roles—modeling, advocacy, parenting, and education? How do you manage these responsibilities effectively?
Dominique: So let me be honest, I’m a serious work in progress. However, I work with what I have. I have purchased so many journals, organizers, and planners it makes no sense. All of which are meticulously written in with daily plans even down to the hour, but it took a long time for me to get there and I’m still learning. When I first started out, it literally took me a day to write out my day in a way that made sense to me. I just refused to give up. Even in moments when I wanted to or started to, I always came back to organizing my days, weeks, and months so that I wasn’t so overwhelmed. There is always something that needs to be done or planned and at times (most times) I’m overwhelmed. When I get too overwhelmed, I will have panic attacks. I remember being so overwhelmed and feeling loss of control that I was having blurred vision because my mind needed me to take a break from doing too much and just feel. I struggled for a while with getting involved in too many things at once but had to learn how to clear my head and use all available resources. These resources now include the journals and planners I mentioned but also, my phone calendar, my alarms, my phone reminders, post-it notes and sometimes even family and friends. I no longer have blurry vision because my village and my will to be better keeps me levelheaded. As well as keeping my 4pm-730pm hours during the week strictly for mommy time during the week. I schedule individual monthly dates with my girls to ensure we have set time alone. Everything else gets scheduled around that.
QSM: Recently, you launched a graphic design business. What inspired you to start this venture, and how does it integrate with your other professional and personal endeavors?
Dominique: I have been doing graphic design on and off for 11 years now. I’d make birthday party flyers for my daughters, friends, and family. I fell in love with it over time and increased my skills playing around on my favorite apps like Pixlr and Canva. During my time as a delegate with Ms. Full Figured NJ in 2023 I dove right into my graphics by making all of the promotional flyers and videos for my Instagram and TikTok in order to raise funds. Since I’m going to nationals now, I figured what better way to launch another part of myself than to sell my skills. Thus launching Delleon Graphics!
QSM: How has your background in acting and broadcasting enriched your journey as a model, advocate, and now a business owner in the graphic design field?
Dominique: As a model and advocate, being able to connect with your audience using your story is imperative. In my broadcasting and acting journey, I learned how to not be afraid of being vulnerable in order to connect with my audience and make an impact. Using my story to reach those who have been through things I’ve been through, from domestic violence with a family member to postpartum depression well after having children, my stories are unique but not one off. My graphic design skills will continue to reflect knowledge when posting information on my platforms that will be deemed relevant, encouraging and educational, which I feel is most important. We can all overcome with the right mindset.
QSM: What unique perspective do you bring to your graphic design business, and how do you see it complimenting your work in modeling and advocacy?
Dominique: Social media is such a great way to spread information and encourage others to be better. I’ve made TikTok’s reflecting on my mom life experiences, providing moments to take a deep breath for parents who may just be having a rough day or rough moment and I’ve provided affirmations to encourage people to keep going. So with my graphic designs I’m prepared to do the same work. You never know who you can come across and how much impact just a simple flyer can make on someone expecting their first child or celebrating the birthday they didn’t know they’d make it to that year. As it pertains to my modeling, I use my graphics to create my comp cards, business and promotional flyers to promote myself.
QSM: Can you explain how you transitioned from being the first runner-up to becoming an Honorary Queen in the Ms. Full-Figured New Jersey 2023 pageant? What does this title mean to you and your work?
Dominique: December 16th, I had the esteemed pleasure of being granted Ms. Full Figured USA New Jerseys First runner up, rising star and Ms. Social Media. I was honored to be recognized for the hard work and dedication I had put into bettering myself on my journey to the crown. On May 4th, 2024 I was honored with being crowned New Jersey’s 2023 Honorary Queen and will now be going to nationals to represent New Jersey. With this new title, I will continue to encourage moms to remember that postpartum will not be the period to their story but instead the semi-colon for continuation.
QSM: What are your future aspirations, both personally and professionally? How do you envision continuing to make an impact in the areas of modeling, mental health awareness, and now graphic design?
Dominique: Professionally, I look forward to changing my basic customer service background to breaking into my tech career. I’ll be working hard to gain more exposure to receive more jobs within the modeling industry, which isn’t always easy for a plus size petite model and learning from the best. I look forward to creating and posting more mental health awareness content for my nurturers (parents/guardians). I’m excited to see my graphic design business grow and thrive over time while learning so much more. As far as parenting goes, I look forward to my continued growth within this journey and all the journeys I take on. It sounds like a lot, but I love it! Last but not least, I look forward to my journey to the national crown. The race is just beginning.
QSM: Please share where people can follow and support your journey.
Dominique: Everyone can find and follow me on TikTok and Instagram @ladiiva_x3. For graphics you can follow me on @DelleonGraphics
Photographer for all images - Philip Drew @photosbypdrew
Styling and Creative Direction - Tawana Blassingame @tawanablassingame
