R.I.P. to FFFWeek™ Plus Runway Model of the Year – “Mia Amber Davis”
Today is a sad day for the plus-size community. I am literally shaking as I write this entry. It was announced late this afternoon that plus-size model and pioneer, Mia Amber Davis, suddenly passed away. Mia was truly in the prime of her modeling career. I am honored to say that I got a chance to meet Mia on several occasions and her sweet demeanor will forever be remembered by me. Next month Mia was set to receive her award for “Plus Runway Model of the Year” at Full Figured Fashion Week™ in New York City. I already know that this event is gonna be bittersweet for all who attend this year. I am deeply saddened by this news tonight.
Beginning her career as an intern then production assistant for several television shows, such as “Ricki Lake”, “Showtime at the Apollo,” “Def Comedy Jam”, “VH1 Hard Rock Live” and many others, Mia soon became a producer at the nationally syndicated “Ricki Lake Show”. Mia also went on to produce several pilots and produce a dating show, “Change of Heart.” Mia was the Senior Booking Producer for the Star Jones Show on Court TV as well as Sports and Pop Culture program, “With All Due Respect” starring NBA Legend, Sir Charles Barkley. She also had the opportunity to work with some of the Food Networks, fan favorites as a producer for, “The Next Food Network Star: After Party” and Mia was currently the Supervising Producer of one of TV’s longest running courtroom dramas, “Divorce Court.”
While producing, an acting opportunity presented itself and Mia Amber burst onto the silver screen as “Rhonda” the full figured co-ed in the DreamWorks feature film “Road Trip”.
With the success of “Road Trip” Mia landed her first magazine cover (“Belle”) and Mia Amber realized that she wanted a coveted place in the world of plus sized modeling. Mia did her research, reinvented herself by losing 90 lbs., and was blessed with the opportunity to represent Ashley Stewart as a “Great Woman of Style.”
As a model Mia Amber also worked with Just My Size, Richard Metzger, Monif C., Queen Latifah for Curvation, Abby Z., Lane Bryant and numerous others. As an Ashley Stewart campaign model Mia Amber was selected to be the face of The Butterfly Bra designed by another curvy triple threat, R&B superstar and actress, Jill Scott.
Mia graced the covers and pages of numerous magazines and appeared on countless television shows. The determined Mia went toe to toe with the infamous Janice Dickinson on Oxygen’s, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency as well as Anti- Fat Activist Meme Roth in a highly publicized segment of CNN’s Campbell Brown. That inaugural appearance on CNN led to other appearances by Mia on the news network as the go-to pundit for size acceptance.
In 2008 she was appointed Creative Editor-at-Large for Plus Model Magazine.
Mia believed in stepping out on faith to realize her dreams and traveled internationally as a speaker at seminars for aspiring models.
In an effort to help aspiring plus models make an impact on the industry, in 2009 Mia Amber began a career as a Style Consultant.
In February 2010 Mia Amber was honored to be the host of the inaugural, “Queens Fashion Week,” a role she cherished because it gave her the privilege of representing her hometown of Queens, NY.
2010 saw Mia victorious as she was handpicked from hundreds to appear with Kimora Lee Simmons as the only plus size model to shoot a campaign for Shinto, Kimora’s new skin care line. Mia was elated to work with Simmons, a fashion icon.
(Above) Mia in “BET’s Rip the Runway”, March 2011
Mia Amber began blogging (www.MiaAmber.WordPress.com) as a way to keep in touch with her fans and answer the multitude of questions asked of her daily by models and model citizens alike!
(Above) Myself & Mia in NYC at the JMS Fashion Show, October 2010
(Above) Mia & Myself at the Sk Wilbur Show, September 2010, NYC
(Above) Mia & Myself at “The Tropical Divas” Fashion Show, Richmond, VA, July, 2009
(Above Photo) by Burt Smooth
This YouTube video was just posted by Mia 4 days ago:
This is A WONDERFUL HOMAGE TO MIA! I am so very saddened and sorry to hear the news as well, I just found out this evening.She will greatly be missed in the Plus-Size woman’s world and my continued thoughts and prayers are with her family. Thank you for the LOVELY DELIVERY!
This is a wonderful post. I am still in shock of her sudden passing.
I’ll admit I didn’t know much about her (I’ve seen her face, but it was lovely to learn more) Very sad indeed, all my thoughts with all who were close to her. Thank you for sharing
This is a wonderful post, Bella. I love that you shared so much about the many facets of her life.
Truly sad . . .
Well done! Thank you for this.
Mia will be missed.
My sympathy goes out to her family… and even to those whose lives she touched, perhaps, without truly realizing her impact.
May her soul rest in peace.