Tess Holliday Reveals She Identifies As Pansexual

Tess Holliday says she identifies as pansexual in a new interview with Nylon.

The 33-year-old, who married husband Nick in 2015, tells the publication: “I’ve been thinking a lot about my relationship to my own queerness, and I think the word ‘pansexual’ speaks to me more than bi does… I feel like a lot of stuff in my life now makes sense.”

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🌊TESS ON THE BEACH 🌊 Bask in the brilliant glory of @tessholliday on the cover of our July Beauty issue. Tess opened up to NYLON’s Editor-in-Chief @gabriellekorn about everything from her abortion to her evolving understanding of her sexuality (she thinks pansexual describes her better than bi). Tess also talks with Gabrielle about what it’s like to experience both sides of cancel culture, the damage done by current beauty standards, and, of course, how good her butt looks in her bathing suit—very! Get to know this fierce, complicated, fucking funny, gorgeous superstar at the link in our bio—and get excited about all the beach beauty inspo in the photos within. #effyourbeautystandards #tessholliday Editor-In-Chief: @gabriellekorn Photographer: @lindseybyrnes Executive Editor: @kmiversen Fashion + Beauty Editor: @jennaroseigneri Art Direction: @daniokon, @lutkie Social Media Director: @casualpasta Producer: @luvnidleness Videographer: @daniokon @grettasw Line Producer: @charlottecprager Stylist: @meaghanpoconnor Style Assistant: @gessflyy Hair Stylist: @hisvintagetouch Makeup Artist: @shablamgela Location: @visitpuertovallarta

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“A lot of the things that I felt when I was younger make sense. A lot of the relationships that I had make sense. I definitely have a sense of relief.

“I can connect with people on a more intimate level than I was before because I don’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not.”

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In our July Beauty cover story, @tessholliday asks NYLON EIC @gabriellekorn: “Why is it controversial that I chose to talk about my abortion?” Which, great question! Why *is* it a problem to talk about women’s healthcare in 2019? Oh, because the patriarchy seeks to shame anyone who falls outside its idea of what a woman should be? Pretty much! Which is why Tess wants to normalize all the things that marginalized people are taught to be quiet around. Read more of what she has to say in our cover story with her, at the link in bio. Editor-In-Chief: @gabriellekorn Photographer: @lindseybyrnes Executive Editor: @kmiversen Fashion + Beauty Editor: @jennaroseigneri Art Direction: @daniokon, @lutkie Social Media Director: @casualpasta Producer: @luvnidleness Videographer: @daniokon @grettasw Line Producer: @charlottecprager Stylist: @meaghanpoconnor Style Assistant: @gessflyy Hair Stylist: @hisvintagetouch Makeup Artist: @shablamgela Location: @visitpuertovallarta

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A pansexual is a person who is attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender identity.

The plus-size model adds, when asked if she would ever enter into a romantic relationship with a woman: “I might not know, like, what to do. But I feel like I’d figure it out.”

Holliday also says of her decision to have an abortion after welcoming her second child: “Why is it controversial that I chose to talk about my abortion? And the fact that I got an abortion when I was in a marriage and could have financially supported a child, why did I feel so much shame for that?

“Why is it controversial to talk about the fact that fat people deserve to take up space and deserve to be sexy?”