Tara Lynn, a plus-size model, was looking thinner than usual on Spain's November Elle issue where she flaunts her legs in shorts next to a Spanish caption which reads "mujer real" or real woman.
Compared to a French Elle cover in February 2012 where she looked much more like her normal weight, Lynn looks digitally thinner, United Press International reported.
According to UPI, comments on Lynn's Facebook Page were positive and credited the cover as a step toward increasing body diversity, yet others were confused and questioned why the magazine digitally altered her weight.
Lynn graduated with a degree in languages and speaks fluent French and Arabic before being picked up by fashion magazine V, skyrocketing her into her position as a top plus-size model, according to The Guardian.
Lynn said in an interview with The Guardian that she started modeling because she needed money to finish her studies. In the interview she said though her size has never been considered "right" by the usual fashion standards, its right for her.
In 2010 Lynn was featured on the cover of Italian Vogue, getting editorial work and not just commercial work, which Lynn said is still very rare.
"We're getting cast a little bit more and starting to see a diversified body image in shoots," Lynn told The Guardian.
While growing up Lynn said she looked at magazines and compared her body to them, always wishing her legs were smaller or that she was skinnier herself.
"One day, I remember seeing this brunette, plus-sized model in a homecoming shoot," she said. "It was amazing. Seeing that one image during my adolescence was such a relief. I wish there had been more."
Lynn said the idea young women seeing a picture of her and becoming more accepting of themselves is exciting. Before becoming a model, Lynn said she worked out six days a week.
"It wasn't grotesque, but my collar bones were visible, my hips were sticking out, you could see my ribs," she told The Guardian, but even with a rigorous workout schedule she was still a UK size 12.
"I'm just made big," Lynn said.
The plus-size model said she exercises regularly with hiking or yoga and has allowed her body to find its natural, healthy shape, according to The Guardian.
No official statement from Elle Spain or Lynn about the November cover.
