About Chenese Lewis

Chenese Lewis—dubbed “One of the Original Plus-Size Influencers” by Forbes—has been a driving force in the body positivity movement for over two decades. As a champion for self-esteem and positive body image, she has solidified her place as a trailblazer, empowering women to embrace their beauty long before inclusivity became mainstream.

Crowned Miss Plus America 2003, Chenese made history as the very first titleholder. Since then, she has partnered with numerous national brands, including modeling for Torrid and serving as the Coast-to-Coast Curves Spokesperson for Ashley Stewart. She was also featured in the National Eating Disorders Association’s campaign for the inaugural Body Acceptance Week. Recognized as an authority in the plus-size industry, Chenese has shared her insights as a commentator on Dr. Phil and HuffPost Live and has been quoted in USA Today.

A sought-after emcee and event host, Chenese captivates audiences with her charisma, wit, and authenticity. Her signature stage presence has made her the go-to host for major fashion and beauty events, including five consecutive years as host of the TCFStyle Expo, the South’s largest plus-size shopping event. She has also hosted runway shows during New York Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion Week, and international events in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her professionalism, grace, and style consistently elevate events to new heights of excellence.

Expanding her brand beyond fashion, Chenese hosted the Bronner Brothers International Mid-Winter Beauty Show—the largest multicultural beauty event in America, drawing over 35,000 attendees—and the New Orleans Natural Hair Expo for six consecutive years. There, she facilitated powerful conversations with leading natural hair influencers and interviewed top executives from national haircare brands before live audiences.

Her influence has also reached the mainstream. Chenese appeared on the cover of VICE Magazine UK’s 10th Anniversary issue, a globally distributed publication, and participated in the celebrity-driven NOH8 Campaign. In 2015, she was honored with the Fashion Icon Award by Baton Rouge Fashion Week for her groundbreaking work as a Louisiana native in the fashion industry.

A pioneer in podcasting, Chenese launched The Chenese Lewis Show in 2008—the first podcast dedicated to the plus-size industry. For over fifteen years, the show has spotlighted prominent brands, influencers, and celebrities, amplifying voices within the community. Recognized by Podcast Magazine and the Podcast Business Journal, and featured in the Chicago Tribune, the show has been praised by Ebony Magazine as “an important voice in plus-size fashion.” From 2010 to 2015, Chenese also served as a media correspondent for the Essence Music Festival, interviewing major figures such as Gladys Knight, Boyz II Men, Tina Knowles, Tyrese Gibson, and Valerie Jarrett, former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama.

As a philanthropist, Chenese has leveraged her platform to raise awareness for numerous social causes. During her tenure as President of the National Organization for Women’s Hollywood Chapter (Hollywood NOW), she produced the annual Love Your Body Day celebration from 2006 to 2011—officially sponsored by the City of West Hollywood. The 2010 campaign, featuring Chenese posing nude alongside America’s Next Top Model winner Whitney Thompson, went viral globally, earning international press coverage from outlets including E! News, People Magazine, Daily Mail Online, and CBS News, cementing her role as a fearless advocate for body acceptance.

Chenese has also showcased her versatility as an actress, earning acclaim for her comedic work as a cast member on BET’s hit show Hell Date and for her dramatic turn in the NAACP Award-winning stage play The Girls of Summer, where she portrayed a 1940s professional baseball player. Her credits extend to film, television commercials, and music videos.

A proud Louisiana native, Chenese currently serves as Immediate Past President of Friends of the Capitol Park Museum and sits on the Board of Directors for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. – Metropolitan Baton Rouge Chapter. She is also the Chief Creative Officer of Chenese Lewis Productions, LLC, a media company she founded in 2007.

Through every endeavor, Chenese continues to exemplify confidence, authenticity, and purpose—proving that beauty, talent, and influence come in all sizes. Recognized as a visionary and icon within the plus-size industry, Chenese Lewis remains unstoppable—continuing to inspire, innovate, and advocate for empowerment through self-love and representation.

Awards & Honors

2023

  • National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Metropolitan Baton Rouge Chapter – Powerhouse Award
  • The Full Figured Industry Awards – Icon Award

2022

  • Amra and Elma Social Media Agency NYC – 100 Top Body Positivity Influencers
  • Podcast Magazine – 40 Over Forty In Podcasting

2021

  • The Drum Newspaper’s People To Watch For 2021
  • Success Sisters Magazine’s Top 50 Entrepreneur Women to Watch In 2021
  • The Full Figured Industry Awards – 2021 Outstanding Podcast
  • Friends of the Capitol Park Museum – 2021 President’s Award for Board Member Excellence

2020

  • FORBES – Dubbed “One Of The Original Plus-Size Influencers”
  • Empowered Diva Awards Honoree

2015

2011

  • Project Curve Appeal – Curvy Icon Award
  • Miss Plus Top Model Awards – Woman of the Year Achievement Award

2005

  • Miss Plus America Pageant – Lifetime Achievement Award

2003

  • YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge Women of Achievement Honoree