The idea of plus-sized models have become common in the West, but they are still a rare sight in Asia.

However, with how well-received Chinese model Gong Zhen is, we think more plus-sized women might aspire to be just like her.

The 1.7m tall Shandong native weighs 80kg — plus-sized female models usually weigh more than 70kg — and has been photographed more than 700 times for ads aimed at larger women since her modelling debut in 2020. 

Today, the 29-year-old commands about 3,000 yuan (S$547) a day and is considered one of the top-performing plus-sized models in China.

According to a recent interview with Ziniu News, Gong Zhen comes from a wealthy family. She used to run a restaurant but decided to shutter it due to low-profit margins.

She was talent spotted when she was asking for a refund from a shop owner on WeChat.

Apparently, the shop owner was captivated by photos of Gong Zhen on social media and convinced her to come to southern Guangdong, a province in Guangzhou to work as a model.

We are guessing the business owner saw there was money that could be made.

According to Chinese online retail consultant agency Market IDX, plus-sized womenswear online sales hit 15.6bil yuan (S$2.8bil) in 2020.