My Rock YOur Beauty Story: Diane Chu
Written by: Diane Chu
The Rock Your Beauty Fashion Show is a magical night. The positive energy radiates from the event leaders, models, and every single person in the audience. I have had the privilege to walk in the show as a model, and the bond that we form backstage can only be described as a sisterhood. There isn’t any other environment better than one in which we celebrate our unique beauty. We are women of all sizes, colors, backgrounds, and abilities, and we each have a powerful story.
As a little girl, I was deathly shy and insecure about my size. I have always been the smallest in my grade, short and tiny, and, without a doubt, the last to be picked for teams during physical education class. My size made me timid, too scared to make friends; I just faded into the shadow.
Through focusing my time on studying and reading, I was able to leverage my knowledge to set myself up for success in school. During my time at the university, my brain and work ethic gave me confidence. Knowing that I was dedicated to my studies and excelling in my course work proved that I didn’t need to stand in the shadow and that I could shine brightly in my own special way. Finding my confidence shifted my whole life trajectory. Learning how to build genuine relationships by getting to know people for who they are deep down inside has translated into not only business relationships but lifelong friendships with incredible human beings. People can be gorgeous from the outside, but if they have a pure soul, they are stunning to be around.
If I could go back in time and tell that shy little girl that she would grow up to be powerful and beautiful, she would have been equipped with the confidence to guide her through her teenage and young adult years. Knowing that beauty is from within, that if you are authentic to being a good person and show kindness to others, beauty will radiate from the inside.
My hope for every girl, young lady, and even woman in adulthood in the audience at the Rock Your Beauty Fashion Show leaves that night knowing that beauty is in every form. I hope every audience member is energized to support each other and lift each other up. I hope every girl sees a woman on stage who looks like her, sees them as beautiful, and, in turn, sees themselves as beautiful.