Model Crystal Renn appeared on “Good Morning America” this morning to promote her book, Hungry: A Young Model’s Story of Appetite, Ambition, and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves. Crystal was discovered by a model scout as a teen in Clinton, MS, and was told she could be a supermodel. But there was a catch: She would need to lose 70 pounds off her 5’9″ frame first. She did and got a $250,000 contract.

But after starving herself for years, Crystal decided she didn’t want to abuse her body anymore and decided to let it be the way it wanted to be, which was a size 12. While this isn’t the usual size fashion models come in, Crystal says she has been more successful since being true to herself, appearing on the cover of four international editions of Vogue, in various ad campaigns, and on the runway for Vena Cava, Heatherette, and Jean-Paul Gaultier. We’re not models, but her message is one we should all heed: Be yourself and you’ll get farther in life. Aww … [GMA] Keep reading »