Meet Esther Cluff of Leavenworth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Esther Cluff.

Hi Esther, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi, I’m Esther. I’m a type one diabetic who has psoriasis. I started modeling in 2017 to show the world that beauty is not defined by perfect skin or body. I do not look like the girls in Victoria’s Secret catalog, but that is okay. I have curves and a non-working pancreas, but I am still beautiful. When I started modeling, I was constantly told that I would never make it far in this industry because I wasn’t skinny or pretty enough. Today I want to tell the photographers that they never believed in me, “look at me now.” Whenever I was told I was good enough, I was more determined to show them that I, a curvy diabetic, could be a model. I was constantly overlooked because they did not want an imperfect model for a shoot.

I almost gave up multiple times because I was not getting gigs. Initially, I was not getting shoots because I would not let them edit my body or pump out of the pictures. I was told multiple times that they thought I was pretty enough if I let them Photoshop my body to look skinny or if I let them remove my pump and my psoriasis. I told them that was not okay with me and that I would rather be a real woman with my pump and psoriasis than give women and girls false hope of getting the perfect body. Finally, in 2018 I started to get selected more for shoots. That was my break. I was doing at least 2-3 shoots a month, which was great. I changed directions and went into boudoir modeling, which needed to be added to my modeling career. It was so life-changing as I was finally to show the world I was imperfect, but I had my self-confidence, and that was all that mattered. I love showing off my insulin pump and the site permanently attached to me. I love showing my psoriasis and that even with it, I was beautiful. Life was great.

I ended up getting married to my amazing husband in 2019. He is so supportive and sometimes models with me. After getting married, my modeling started to slow down as we moved from Arizona to Kansas City due to his job. I was stressed about starting my modeling career all over again in a new state; once again, it was rough because I was getting overlooked because of my diabetes and my psoriasis. I kept going and trying to get my modeling off the ground in Kansas. In 2022 I ended up pregnant with my daughter, and even though I had a rough pregnancy, I kept modeling to show the world that even with me being pregnant, I would still be beautiful and our bodies are amazing no matter what. I took a small 3-month break after she was born and then came back to show the world that having a child does not mean your dreams are on hold. I may have a few more curves now, but I am still beautiful, and I can still be a light to women and girls with psoriasis and diabetes or curvy girls that want to be a model.

Few people have been there since the beginning, and I would like to thank you for helping me get where I am today. First off, to my husband, Aaron Cluff, who supports me and wants me to achieve my dreams. Thank you for standing next to me through the ups and downs of getting where I am today. Second my parents, David, and Cheryl Cluff, for telling me that if I put the work and tears into my dreams, I can shoot for the stars. I also thank Rob Vega and Shaun Conway for believing in me and supporting my dream. Lastly, Thank you to my best friends, Abigail Cranford and Andrea Jones, for always hyping me when I feel down and can not keep going. I love you.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a rough road for me to get where I am today. One of my struggles is being told that I am not skinny enough. That me being a type one diabetic inst photogenic and that I should not be modeling and promoting having diabetes. Having psoriasis is gross, and I should be ashamed of my body and how it is failing me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a model. I specialize in boudoir modeling. I am proud of showing the modeling industry that was having people with diabetes and psoriasis makes me beautiful as any supermodel. What sets me apart is that I have curves and diabetes, and psoriasis.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those just starting.
My advice is not to give up even when it gets tough. You have to put the tears and sweat into your dreams. You are not going to be given your dream on a silver platter. Do not let people pressure you into not holding your ground with boundaries. Follow your gut. It never fails you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esthercluff2406/?hl=en

Image Credits
Vagabond Perception, Weknd_pix, JustBphotography, MaingoGrey, Fotographixia, and Nverbenec