IN CONVERSATION WITH ELLA HALIKAS

interview by JANA LETONJA

Model, influencer, and outspoken advocate for body inclusivity Ella Halikas is redefining what confidence looks like in the modern fashion world. Known to her followers as the “CEO of Confidence,” Ella has built a powerful platform rooted in self-love, empowerment, and authenticity. With her magnetic presence and unapologetic energy, she’s become a leading voice in the movement toward representation and diversity in fashion and media. Drawing inspiration from trailblazers like Ashley Graham, who’s also become a mentor and collaborator, Ella continues to expand her impact both online and in front of the camera, starring in major campaigns and sharing her journey with millions who see themselves reflected in her story.

You’ve built such a strong identity as the “CEO of Confidence.” How did that phrase come to define your brand?

Growing up as a woman means you’re constantly navigating expectations and opinions from others. How you should look, how you should act, what you should wear, and who you should be. Confidence is not only something you are born with, but rather something you practice and learn daily throughout years of growth, failures, lessons, and experiences. When I was younger, I felt this unstoppable level of confidence within me, but as I got older and hit my teen years, that confidence slowly started to shrink. Middle school and high school were some of my hardest years with confidence and self-love, always comparing myself to my peers and feeling inadequate with the changes in my body over the years. It wasn't until I transferred to my second year of college at the University of Hawaii that I learned to truly love myself again and embrace all of my insecurities.

I was tired of feeling unworthy, undeserving of love, and not allowing myself to fully shine, all because of my size and changes in my body. This was the turning point of fully stepping into my power and becoming the true "CEO of Confidence". I stepped into this role because I had to learn how to put myself first again. I learned that confidence isn’t loud, it’s self-trust. It’s choosing yourself even when others don’t understand your path. My journey has taught me resilience, self-respect, and the strength to define my own value, despite what society tells me to believe. 

What first inspired you to pursue modelling, and when did you realise this could be a real career path?

I first got inspired to model when I moved to Hawaii for college and found this new self-love within myself. I finally felt confident in my skin again and wanted to organically share that and post more online for my followers to see and feel inspired by. I've always loved modelling even as a kid, which I did for fun with my sister growing up. It wasn't until I saw Ashley Graham and other OG plus-size models take off in the industry that I realised I could pursue this career too. It wasn’t just about taking photos, it was about creating art, building confidence, and showing others that you can feel just as confident and beautiful at any size. 

Modelling gave me a platform, not just to create beautiful images, but to challenge outdated standards of what beauty, confidence, and success should look like. I realised early on that representation truly matters and that stepping into this industry with authenticity could inspire others to see themselves in a different light. I want to change the industry and have modelling feel more inclusive, empowering, and reflective of real people with real stories and help others feel seen. Pursuing this career isn’t just about me. It’s about helping reshape the lens through which the world sees beauty and how others see themselves. I knew modelling wasn’t just something that I wanted to do, it was something I was meant to do.

You’ve mentioned Ashley Graham as a major inspiration. What’s the best advice she’s ever given you?

Ashley Graham has been a huge inspiration and one of the main reasons why I pursued modelling to begin with. It's extremely surreal to go from being one of her biggest supporters to now calling her a close friend. She has been such a pivotal mentor in my career and has truly paved the way for us curvy and plus size models that are navigating this ever-changing industry. Her advice has been shown through her consistent work and how well she carries herself through this profession. She has always believed in me from the start and given such great advice. She told me if you really want something, you have to go get it yourself and keep showing up. No one will work harder for you than you will. Also, she recently told me that it's your agent's job to get you in the room, but it's your job to get called back in the room. 

What was the turning point when you felt the fashion industry started to truly see and embrace you?

A huge turning point in my career was becoming one of the top 13 finalists of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and shooting for the magazine in 2021. This was a huge dream of mine and I tried out for 3 consecutive years prior. Although, it wasn't necessarily all up from there. I had so many setbacks, failures, and rejections along the way and many moments of wanting to give up. I would say it wasn't until recently when I fully felt like I was given a real shot in this industry and making a name for myself. It wasn't one specific moment either, but years and years of hard-work, grit, determination, and picking myself back up that got me here today. The moment I stopped shrinking myself to fit in and started owning who I am, the industry started meeting me where I was at. That’s when everything shifted.

You’ve become such an important voice in the body inclusivity movement. What does that responsibility mean to you personally?

Body inclusivity isn’t just a professional conversation for me, it’s personal. It’s about waking up daily, looking in the mirror, and choosing happiness and gratitude over comparison and criticism for what I see. Being comfortable in my body is an ongoing journey and I embrace that openly with my audience. Self-confidence is truly a marathon and not a sprint. Having this responsibility means living authentically and taking care of myself. I know that visibility and representation sparks change.

When people can relate and see themselves in you, they see possibility and beauty in themselves in a way they may not have seen prior. My responsibility is to show my supporters that beauty doesn’t come in a one-size fits all. Your body is not a trend and you are not supposed to fit into a box. Being a voice in this movement means using every opportunity and every shoot to highlight how powerful and beautiful diversity truly is. If my journey helps even one person feel seen, then I’m fulfilling my responsibility. 

What progress have you seen in the modelling industry when it comes to body diversity, and where is there still work to be done?

I've seen some progress in the modelling industry when it comes to body diversity, but not enough. With some bigger brands like Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated, including more diverse shapes, sizes, and colors has been amazing to see. I hope other brands follow. I would love to see high fashion brands become more inclusive to other shapes and sizes, as I feel like this part of the industry has remained stagnant. 

You often talk about confidence being something you build, not something you’re born with. What are some daily practices or mindsets that help you stay grounded?

For me, confidence isn’t just a mindset, it’s a daily practice. One of my biggest practices that keeps me grounded is spending intentional time with the people I love. My family and close friends remind me of who I am outside of the industry and outside of all the pressures that come with being in the public eye. Being around them centres me and reminds me that I’m supported, valued, and loved for who I am outside of my career. I also make space to workout and move my body, as this helps me the most with my mental health and inner strength. Even just going for a walk helps ground me throughout my busiest, most chaotic days and helps me reset.  

How do you handle the pressure or criticism that can come with being a public figure in the body positivity space?

It can definitely be hard and this job requires emotional strength. Although, you get to a point where you find empathy for the people that leave criticism and hate comments on your page, as you realise they are just projecting their own hurt and insecurities onto you. Not everyone will understand your journey or your purpose, or even want to, and that can sometimes be difficult. You know who you are at the end of the day, so their words no longer have power over you. Also, therapy has been a great tool and outlet for me in this industry and has helped me tremendously. It gives me tools to process criticism in a healthy way, separate my identity from other people’s opinions, and stay mentally grounded when the pressure feels heavy.

Beyond modelling, do you see yourself expanding into other creative areas, maybe designing, hosting, or creating your own brand?

Yes, definitely. I want to do it all. I’ve always been someone who thinks big, dreams bigger, and loves building things from the ground up. I am extremely motivated and driven to expand my work and purpose through other areas and projects. There are many projects I'm working on behind the scenes that allow me to be creative and show different sides of myself, whether that’s storytelling, coaching, designing, or creating spaces that instil confidence in others. I’m excited about expanding into other creative worlds because I don’t believe in limiting myself. If anything, modelling has opened the door to even more possibilities.

I have been coaching and consulting women on the side to help grow their confidence and personal brands online to help them achieve their dreams as well. This has been super rewarding for me, as there is room for all of us to win. Also, I have been co-designing and creating with various brands to help bring size inclusivity to the fashion industry, so be on the lookout soon. Ultimately, I see myself creating a world where my voice, creativity, and experiences continue to come together and empower others on a greater level. Modelling is just the beginning.

You call yourself the “CEO of Confidence.” What’s the next bold step you want to take in your career or advocacy?

The next bold step I want to take in my career is to expand my voice and creativity and step into a creative director role. Also, I would love to share more of my story in depth and become an author as well. I also want to continue pushing the industry forward and advocating for more inclusivity, more representation, and more authenticity. Modelling will always be a part of my journey, but the next chapter is about leading, teaching, and elevating others to step into their own power and confidence. 

TEAM CREDITS:

photography BONNIE NICHOALDS
styling JOA FREY
makeup BEITA COHEN
hair ADIR DANA
interview JANA LETONJA