'My Giant Life' Star Krista Kay Reveals How She Laughs off the Body Shamers (EXCLUSIVE)

Updated: Oct 3, 2017 6:07 pm
By Anna Quintana

She might be on the "shorter" end of the spectrum when it comes to her My Giant Life co-stars, but for as long as Krista Kay can remember, she has always been the tallest woman in the room. Growing up in a small town in South Dakota, her six foot, six-inch stature definitely made her stand out — and she has developed a thick skin when it comes to body shamers.

"Middle school was probably the worst for me," she told Life & Style exclusively. "My main coping method was comedy. I would just agree with what people would say in a joking manner which takes the power away from the bully. How people treat you, reflects who they are and NOT who you are."

She also explained how sometimes people aren't even aware they are being bullies, like when strangers ask her why she doesn't play for the WNBA, even if she did play five years of college basketball and one year professionally in Australia. "Some people literally look at me like I’m a waste of life because I’m not in the WNBA," she said. "I started rebelling against the stereotype that tall people should be basketball players. Even though getting the opportunity to play professional basketball overseas was a huge blessing, it wasn’t fulfilling enough for me.

She continued, "Basketball was the first thing to give me a sense of purpose but as I have gotten older, I know I have such a greater purpose than just putting a ball in a hoop." Today, along with starring on the TLC reality series, Krista is also a life coach and working on her comedy.

"The most challenging part of being tall is getting asked the same questions about my height daily," she added. "It gets repetitive but since I have been doing stand-up comedy, I almost look forward to what people have to say because it can be really bizarre sometimes!"

Be sure to tune into My Giant Life on Sundays at 10 p.m. EST on TLC.

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‘My Giant Life’ Sneak Peek: Haleigh Faces Pregnancy Complications, Alicia Jay Struggles With Dating

By Megan French 1 day ago

Standing tall! In an exclusive sneak peek of season 3 of My Giant Life, six tall women, Haleigh, Alicia Jay, Katja, Lindsay, Krista and Coco all deal with different issues related to their extreme heights and beyond.

Haleigh, who is 6-foot-7, and her 5-foot-8 husband, Bryan, have made it through their first year of marriage and are expecting their first child together. “We moved to Tennessee, and we’re pregnant,” she reveals in the clip. “We weren’t supposed to be able to get pregnant, so this makes this pregnancy a little more delicate.” 

In the preview, the couple learn there may be some complications with the pregnancy. A doctor is seen telling them that he sees a “big issue.”

Meanwhile, Alicia Jay, is struggling with dating because of her 6-foot-6 height — and because she’s a virgin. “I love my height, but I definitely think it’s harder to date as a tall woman,” she says. “If I don’t get married, I could be a virgin until the day I die.” The clip teases an awkward interaction when she tells a man that she’s a virgin after he asks her to come upstairs at the end of a date. 

Lindsay, on the other hand, is dealing with roommates trouble. “A lot has happened in my life. I dumped my boyfriend. I relocated to Las Vegas because I needed a fresh start. I want to get a roommate. I am interviewing someone who I met on social media. Fun fact: She’s also really tall,” the 6-foot-9 blonde says. “When Krista walked into the bar, I was like, ‘Oh my god, it’s one of my kind.'”

However, things aren’t going as great as they both hoped. “You don’t really know the other person until you live with them,” Krista says, while pointing out that the freezer is disgusting, there’s hair in the refrigerator and Lindsay has a whole shelf in her closet of her roommate’s stuff.

“She has to realize she’s not the only badass in the house,” Lindsay quips.

Watch the preview above to see what’s going on with the rest of the ladies!

My Giant Lifereturns to TLC Sunday, September 17, at 10 p.m. ET.

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‘Tall Girl 2’ Coming to Netflix, Filming Begins in April 2021

by Kasey Moore @kasey__moore on March 3, 2021, 6:31 pm EST

The Netflix teen rom-com Netflix Tall Girl is coming back for a sequel according to two sources that suggest filming will be getting underway next month and wrap in the summer. Here’s what we know.

Just to quickly recap, the first Tall Girl movie was a smash hit for Netflix given its low budget and eventually went onto rack up 41 million views on the platform in the first four weeks available.

The film starred Ava Michelle, Griffin Gluck, Sabrina Carpenter and Paris Berelc and was a standard rom-com with the twist being the main character, Jodi, was very tall and very self-conscious.

Tall Girl was by no means a smash hit when it came to the critics, however. The movie currently sits at a 5.2 on IMDb with critic scores similarly low at 44%.

Back in October 2019 after the initial film had released, Ava Michelle spoke to EliteDaily and said there were talks for a sequel. She teased that she hoped fans would see Michelle go into her final year of school saying:

“I’m excited to see hopefully Jodi’s senior year and to see what happens there, but I really don’t know. There’s talk, but I really don’t know, we’ll see.”

Since then, all has been quiet and of course, there’s been a global pandemic that likely halted any development.

It was then in December 2020 when DiscussingFilm got the scoop that Netflix was developing a sequel. They revealed that Sam Wolfson would be returning to write the sequel’s screenplay and news today backs that up.

Filming, as confirmed by ProductionWeekly issue 1236 suggests that filming is currently due to get underway in mid-April 2021 and wrap up in late May 2021. That means a 2021 release could be squeezed in but the more likely scenario is that it gets released sometime in 2022.

Here’s what you can expect from the sequel:

“After Jodi Kreyman gains popularity, her miscommunications start causing rifts with those around her and now she really needs to ‘stand tall’.”

The sequel will be filmed in New Orleans just like the first movie with McG, Mary Viola, Steven Bello and Corey Marsh continuing in executive producer roles.

Only Ava Michelle is currently listed to be returning but more familiar faces from the original will almost certainly return with a sprinkling of new ones too.

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"The struggles of being 6'2" and shopping on the high street"

Fashion as a tall woman is a minefield 

By Lateefah Jean-Baptiste - Apr 26, 2019

The older I get, the less shopping on the high street appeals to me. As you're rushing around trying to find the perfect outfit for your friend’s birthday next week, you’re greeted with large groups of sightseeing tourists, sellers trying to get you to donate to their cause, and loud music coming the crowd forming around the break-dancers - it can all be a bit daunting for anyone. But imagine how it must feel when you’re 6’2".

With palazzo trousers that fit like culottes, and mini dresses that literally just about cover our bums, it can be hard out here for a tall girl. Being a 6’2" woman means that most of the stores on the high street don’t cater to my long torso and even longer legs.

I remember when I was looking for holiday outfits for a girls trip on the high street. I entered my first store and saw a few bits that I wanted to try on, and honestly what happened in that fitting room next was nothing short of comedic. First I attempted to try on a jumpsuit, but what I ended up with was a camel toe. However, I didn’t give up hope and tried on the next outfit.

This one was worse than the first one. This time it was my long arms and 36-inch legs that were the problem. The long sleeves were more like ¾ lengths and the wide leg bottom half of the jumpsuit fit like boot cuts, just about reaching my ankle.

As I looked in the mirror all I could do was think that I resembled Shawn Wayans from the shopping scene in White Chicks, when he burst out of the clothes he tried on in the fitting room. Comical, but not the look I was going for.

By the end of my failed shopping trip, I wondered why I even bothered with high street stores and turned to what can only be referred to as all tall girls shopping safe haven; ASOS Tall.

I recently noticed that many shops that do have ranges created for tall women are usually online only. Topshop recently removed their tall section from their Westfield Stratford store and I don’t think I have ever seen a Dorothy Perkins or New Look tall section in store. Which is probably why the tall women I know prefer online shopping.

“I’m annoyed that a number of big high street stores have taken out the tall ranges and opted to put them online too. It’s just not fair, I should have the right to try things on in store like everybody else,” 6’2” Artist Kirsty Latoya told Cosmopolitan UK.

“I have a love-hate relationship with shopping because of my long limbs, combined with a lack of stores providing tall enough clothes. Some items like jeans are frequently labelled as tall but they come so far up my leg they look like pedal-pushers!”

Youtuber Gifty Appiah noticed that there weren’t many clothing hauls that catered to tall women in the UK. Which is why she decided to film a Tall Girl Haul, where she shares her knowledge on the hotspots for tall girls to shop.

“I remember being in desperate need of a last-minute outfit for a night out, which meant I had no time to order online. I was on the hunt for a lightweight jacket to throw on, and nothing catered to my long arms,” says the 6ft Youtuber.

“Usually I’ll have to buy a size 16 instead of my usual size 12 just to get some extra length, and that’s still never really enough. It’s extremely frustrating, but that’s the reality of being 6ft and trying to find clothes that fit.”

If we’re being honest, a lot of the high street brands’ tall ranges aren’t exactly oozing with a variety of patterns, styles and colours. I can’t even begin to explain how frustrating it is walking into a store, seeing a cute playsuit and thinking "I really hope they have that in the tall section", only to check the tall range (online of course) to be meet with a range of basic t-shirts, jeans and jackets.

But I know it’s not only us tall girls that go through this. Petite and plus-sized women have often shared their struggle to find clothes that fit on the high street. However, online stores like Pretty Little Thing, Boohoo and Missguided have petite and plus size sections, so I’m hopeful the high street is beginning to think about different body types.

I guess, because I’ve been tall all my life, I’ve learned how to navigate the high street properly. I know what shops to go to and what ones to avoid, and thanks to shops like Zara and Mango occasionally having some pieces that cater to my body type, shopping is becoming easier.

But, for the most part if I want a pair of good quality trousers, jumpsuit or mini dress I head straight online.

All women should have the luxury of trying before we buy. Just once it would be nice to walk in a store and pick up a cute jumper without having to roll up the sleeves, or some decent pair trousers that don’t fit like ankle grazers.

Between the strangers mumbling ‘wow she is tall’and asking if you play basketball or model (because you know all tall girls are good for is modelling and playing sports), to then not being able to find anything that fits – it’s enough to send any tall girl over the edge.

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Megan Swanson is a college student, a Christian music artist, and now, Miss Nebraska.

The Omaha woman, 21, was crowned Miss Nebraska Saturday night in North Platte. Swanson, who competed as Miss Douglas County, will now represent the state at the Miss America pageant in September.

"On Day One I woke up and the first words out of my mouth were, 'Mom, I'm Miss Nebraska! I'm Miss Nebraska!" Swanson told KETV. "I definitely pushed myself to the limit in all areas (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual), and am so thankful for every person who helped me and supported me along the way."

Swanson was a standout to the crowd and the judges at 6-feet tall, several inches taller with heels, and a powerful voice which won her a preliminary talent award. Swanson sang 'You Raise Me Up'.

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Here's a quick recap on who Kamillion is

Alja Kamillion was born on June 26th, 1989 in Jacksonville Florida in a family of 4 male children and 2 female ones. Kamiliion is known for her racy lyrics and raw image and the rapper isn’t shy to rub a few elbows with her rawness. Kamillion’s sound is a mix of R&B, heavy bass and gritty production. She has worked with notable names in the music industry such as Missy Elliot, Trey Songz, P Diddy Jordin Sparks, and Rihanna just to mention a few.

Here are 10 facts about Kamillion you probably didn’t know

1. She was born and raised in Jacksonville

Kamillion was born in Jacksonville in the Northside on Pearl Street. This area as she says, helped shaper her and provided a basis for her musical career to thrive as she has a rawness that she wouldn’t have otherwise had if she had grown in a different place. She was brought up in the Blodgett homes and her mother always told her that where she came from didn’t matter, what mattered was where she was going. This was the advice which she has found to be relevant as she progresses with her career

2. She is actually quite tall

Standing tall at the height of 6 ft., Kamillion is among the tallest women in music. Other notably tall women in the industry include Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa etcetera.

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ByMegan Gustashaw

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5 Surprising Things You Never Knew About Allison Janney (She Wanted to Be a Figure Skater!)

MIKE MILLER December 07, 2017 11:39 AM

With over 100 acting credits to her name and nearly 60 major award show nominations, Allison Janney is one of the most beloved and acclaimed actresses working today.

She’s made memorable appearances in classic films like American Beauty and Finding Nemo, and became a household name starring press secretary C.J. Craig on The West Wing. She’s also won awards for her work on CBS’s Mom alongside Anna Faris.

Now, Janney, 58, is earning major Oscar buzz for her role as U.S. figure skater Tonya Harding’s abusive mother LaVona Golden in the upcoming film I, Tonya, which details the skater’s career and 1994 attack on Nancy Kerrigan that got Harding banned for life from figure skating.

Here are five things to know about the star:

1. She’s won a TON of Emmys.

Seven to be exact, out of a whopping 13 nominations. She’s even won two Emmys for two different shows in the same year. Janney was nominated for The West Wing six times from 2000 to 2006, winning four. She’s received four nominations for Mom and three for playing Margaret Scully in Showtimes’s Masters of Sex. She’s also been nominated for 5 Golden Globes and 15 Screen Actors Guild Awards, winning six.

2. She’s fiercely loyal to Anna Faris.

Janney and her Mom onscreen daughter are tight onscreen and off. Speaking about how they support one another through good times and bad, Janney previously told PEOPLE, “We are a family there.” The actress was one of Faris’s most loyal confidants during her split with Chris Pratt. When the cameras aren’t rolling, Janney said the two are “hanging out at Stage 20 and gossiping and getting through the bumps in life.”

3. She’s really, really tall.

“I say I’m 5 feet 12 inches,” Janney told NPR in 2014.

“I’m definitely 6 feet. In my heels I’m 6 feet 3 inches,” she added. When she was a kid, Janney said, “I was always sort of a late bloomer in a lot of things … I felt like my career started late and I think it was because of my height — and maybe some of my confidence issues.”

Being the tallest woman in the room had its drawbacks. “I was playing 40-year-old women when I was 20. I didn’t get considered for ingenue roles,” she explained.

But having a head on the competition also had some positive effects. “[My height] also helped me in certain parts. It’s made me definitely more of a character actress in terms of my love of doing comedy. I get cast as either the smartest woman in the room or the drunkest woman in the room, and a lot of stuff in between,” she said.

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Mel Walker JUL 28, 2020 2:50 AM PDT

It seems that hell has frozen over because rapper 50 Cent has decided to issue a public apology to a black woman after he mocked her for getting shot on both feet.

50 Cent, who only has love for exotic females, took to Instagram where he posted a lengthy mea culpa to femcee Megan Thee Stallion.

Recently, 50 shocked people for posting a mean and insensitive meme that made light of the Texan's shooting.

He wrote: "Damn, I didn't think this sh*t was real. It sounded so crazy @theestallion I'm glad your feeling better, and I hope you can accept my apology. I posted a meme that was floating around. I wouldn't have done that if I knew you were really hurt, sorry."

The post from 50 came just hours after Megan addressed the shooting incident in a video where she said: “I was shot in both of my feet. I had to get surgery to get the bullets taken out. It was super scary. Oh Lord, I didn’t think I was going to cry. I had to get surgery. It was super scary. It was just the worst experience of my life."

One fan replied: "No one ever understands the pain of losing a mother until you actually lose your mother. It is the most painful experience, and literally, it cannot be described. Praying for you Megan."

Another commenter had this reaction: "I actually appreciate this because 50 Cent doesn’t apologize to anyone. So this is a start. I’m sorry for those all who have to experience this main I really am. I pray for God’s healing and comfort to you all… man man man.” This follower stated: “He thought it was okay to joke about the situation, because meg is a TALL BLACK WOMAN. Men think tall women are mannish and don’t need protection from being violated! Period!"

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Snow fights cancer

Jason Werling • Updated Yesterday at 10:29 AM

About a month ago, Heather Snow bit her tongue. For someone who rarely holds back as a comedian and writer, this was not of the speaking variety. She really bit her tongue. 

The next day her tongue was swollen to the point where she couldn’t talk. Her visit to a Denver emergency room and several tests answered the question of the overly swollen tongue and why Snow was lacking energy for several months.

Heather was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Luekemia (AML), a treatable form of blood cancer.

Heather, a 1998 Perkins High School graduate, was active in various clubs, marching band as Pirette’s captain and competed on the swimming and track teams. After graduating from Penn State University she landed in Colorado where she is a stand-up comedian, writer and tech professional.

Her parents relocated to Colorado to help their daughter. Crystal Allen, Heather’s friend and photographer, scheduled a hospital room photo shoot to document the six feet tall woman’s new look.

Her sense of humor has helped her fight the disease and her writing has helped anyone who reads her blogs better understand the disease and everything involved with fighting it.

Snow and her friends (when she is too sick) have written updates every step of the way. Heather finds out she has cancer: Blog. Heather plans on a mohawk before her hair falls out: Blog. Skin rash from the chemotherapy:  Blog. Heather finds out her brother is a match for a transplant: Blog.

Many people still need matches, go to bethematch.org to see if you can help.

“It's mind blowing to me how little people know about how big of a difference they can make by getting on the donor list.” said Snow”

Read her blog at sixfeetofsnow.com and more updates at https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/m95b/six-feet-of-leukemia-heather-snow-family-fund. Heather’s friends have set up an account to help with expenses. Any excess funds will be donated to Leukemia/Lymphoma research.

The Perkins High School Class of 1998 will be selling T-shirts at the Perkins football game this Friday night against Tiffin Columbian to raise money for Heather. Donations are accepted as well. The class will be set up just inside the entrance to the main gate. Afterwards they will have shirts at Cloud 9 Bridal while supplies last.

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MODEL MONDAY: Taylor Rhoden Takes Her Confidence To New Heights Despite Being Told She Was "Too Tall" To Model

Keyaira Boone @pennedbykeyaira - Posted 13 hours ago

Name: Taylor Rhoden

IG: tall.tay

Agency: Bridge Models

Claim to Fame: Rhoden won an international modeling competition with lingerie and swimwear brand Curvy Kate.

In the minds of most people "model" translates to tall beautiful woman and Taylor Rhoden was among them when she entered the industry. But possessing one of the most important assets in the industry ironically threatened to restrict the beauty's career. In an exclusive interview the international model spoke to HelloBeautiful about breaking into modeling, loving her body's uniqueness, and being told she was "too tall" to model.

"To be completely transparent the modeling industry isn't all that I thought it would be," said Rhoden, who recently quit her full-time job to pursue her career. "I've had some great experiences. I've gotten to walk in fashion shows. I've gotten to work with great clients but one thing that's always kind of hindered me which sounds crazy is being too tall," she revealed. "I think the general population thinks that for models you have to be real tall and like the taller the better, you know. I'm 6'2 and that's honestly difficult for the modeling industry." The height of a runway model without heels usually caps out at just under 6 feet tall. Rhoden pointed out that most models she encounters are, "5'9 ,5'10 and once they put on their heels their 6 feet or whatever."

"So being flat footed 6'2 has always been a barrier for me," she continued, adding that, "it's something that I'm still trying to break through."

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I am so honored to have been crowned Miss Tall NYC 2017 on May 5, 2017, in Manhattan by the Tall Club of New York City ! I am excited and proud to be representing New York City while competing in the  Miss Tall International 2017 Pageant this July 3 - 5 during the Tall Club International Annual Convention July 3 - 9, 2017, in Portland, Oregon . I am asking for your help to be able to compete in the Miss Tall International Pageant and to send a Founding & current Board Member of Tall Club of NYC, 6'3" Nashwa Shalaby! along with me to represent tall women, our tall city, and the tall Northeast Coast, as we gather with our tall international brothers and sisters in Portland, Oregon. 

As measured by Guinness Book of World Records, I am in the category of 10th Tallest Woman in the World and the World's Tallest Female Comedian. I aim for every man, woman and child on the planet to see me, a Samoan-Celtic American female, born of the High Chiefs of Samoa, the Black Douglas of the Scots, the Red Adairs of the Irish; I am the great great great grandaughter of Margaux Constantine - a French pirate & John Marshall - 1st Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court, the only to also serve as U.S. Secretary of State. 

As a woman at  6' 5-1/2" barefoot at the beach, 6'7" in sneakers on the courts, 6'8" in cowboy boots, 6'9" in drag queen heels, 280 lbs, 11 years of college, born of free nations, chiefs, pirates, immigrants, statesmen, veterans, fisherfolk, factory workers, secretaries,  nurses and miners, couldn't we, once and for all, be rid of the idea that women are the weaker sex? 100% of humans come from women.

Join us in promoting positive facts about tall women, about all women.  In my year's reign as Miss Tall NYC 2017, I am linking with empowering movements everywhere - in schools, neighborhood groups, businesses, municipalities - in recognizing and promoting women and girls, of all shapes, colors, sizes, as the leaders and treasures that we are, while celebrating our allies of all genders, as we all hoe this row together. 

Thank you for helping me compete and hopefully bring home the crown of MissTall International 2017.

Love always,
#MissTallNYC2017 
#TheReignBeginsWithTallLove 
#WeAllHaveABrightFutureTogether

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BYJULIE MAZZIOTTA @julietmazz

06/21/2016 AT 09:45 AM EDT

At 6'9", landing acting gigs is no easy task for actress Lindsay Hayward. And her bad head shots aren't helping.

To reignite her career, Hayward hires a photographer for new head shots in this exclusive clip from Tuesday's episode of My Giant Life.

"I'm here to get my head shots done, because last time I took head shots was a few years ago, so I definitely want to update my new, more radiant look," Hayward, 28, says in the clip. "I think that it's going to do wonders as far as getting my further in my acting career."

But as it turns out, Hayward is looking for less of a head shot, and more of a body shot.

"As a six-foot-nine-inch actress it's very, very important that I get full-length body shots because nobody believes how tall you are."

Hayward hates her old head shots because they were shot from an unflattering angle – by someone shorter than her – giving her a double chin.

"Everyone's looking at me from way down here and like I'm way up here, and when they look at me I've got that double chin angle, you know what I mean? It's not very flattering," she says. "Because I do have that as an insecurity, I need someone who's not taking that shot all the time."

"If I could change anything about my looks I would make my face a little bit thinner here," Hayward admits, pointing to her neck.

Luckily, she found a photographer, Sharon, who understands – even if she was a little surprised at Hayward's size.

"Holy cow, okay!" Sharon says. "I am used to working with much smaller people, so I was not expecting her to be as tall as she was."

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Woman who grew to 7ft tall thanks to undiscovered tumour marries man over a foot shorter

Laura Abernethy - Wednesday 9 Jun 2021 5:03 pm

From the age of 10, Elisane Silva started to notice she was much taller than her classmates, and even her family.

At that stage she was already 5ft 9 but she kept growing, and now the 26-year-old stands at 6ft 8in.

Her mother Ana Maria Ramos is just 5ft 4in and father Luiz Jorge is 5ft 7in so they didn’t think it was down to genetics.

They later discovered her stature is down to a benign tumour on her pituitary gland, which has caused an overproduction of growth hormone and a condition called giantism.

Elisane, from Salinopolis, Brazil, had no idea about the tumour until 2010 when she had tests on live TV, as her family was unable to pay for them.

Known unofficially as ‘Brazil’s tallest woman’, she married Francinaldo Da Silva Carvalho, 31, in 2015 and he stands at just 5ft 4in – 1ft 4in shorter than her

‘Since I was ten-years-old, I always noticed that there wasn’t something quite right as I was the only one in my family and class that stood at a staggering five-foot-nine-inches,’ Elisane said.

‘My mother is only five-foot-four-inches and my father is just five-foot-seven-inches, so it was a shock to our entire family when I was the tallest member at so young.

‘I began experiencing intense pain in my bones and a lot of pressure build up in my head which I believe was due to the excessive rate I was growing, so we decided to visit a medical professional./p>

‘They suggested performing a few routine tests to get to the bottom of why I was so tall, but as my family were unable to pay for the medical costs, this wasn’t an option.

‘However, a national television network approached my family after hearing my story and in 2010, we flew to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where I appeared on national television and had all my tests done for free on behalf of the network.

‘Although this was embarrassing, I was just glad to finally have an answer and to stop the pain that I was going through as a result of my height.

‘As I received the results, medics found that I had a benign tumour growing on my pituitary gland which had caused an overproduction in my growth hormone and was the reason for my condition.’

Growing up wasn’t easy for Elisane and she was often bullied, with people calling her names like ‘giraffe’, ‘lamppost’ and ‘giant’.

The comments impacted her mental health significantly and she eventually left school completely.

‘I remember locking myself up at home as I felt so sick with the hurtful comments and words people were constantly saying to me,’ said Elisane.

‘I decided to give up and it was the hardest decision I have ever had to make, as I wanted to continue studying but I knew that I wouldn’t last any longer in that environment.

‘At the time, I was seventeen-years-old, so my parents didn’t have much to say on the matter and I was really lost about where to go next in life.’

In 2011, she met Francinaldo and they quickly fell in love, despite the height difference.

‘I felt an instant connection the moment I met him, that I didn’t even notice his height. Francinaldo stands at just five-foot-four-inches, which is nearly two-foot shorter than me – but I didn’t care,’ she said.

‘Although he was curious about my height and condition, he didn’t make any evil comments, nor did he judge me for the way I looked.

‘I fell for him right there and then, as he was the first person to treat me like a human being and not some freak of nature.

‘Although there is an obvious height difference, we don’t see it as an issue as we love each other just the way we are and wouldn’t want anything to change.

‘In 2012, Francinaldo proposed to me and even though I was just a teenager, I wanted to spend my life with him.’

They married in September 2015 and went on to have a son, Angelo, three, who is currently 3ft 1in.

Elisane said: ‘Although we used to get comments from people in the street when we were walking together, I’m no longer the centre of attention now we have our beautiful son.

‘Angelo is already three-foot-three-inches at three-years-old, but I don’t believe he will grow to be as tall as me because I don’t think my condition is hereditary.

‘I think he will grow up to be average height – but even if not, he should embrace the unique asset he has been given.’

Elisane is now working towards becoming a professional model, which has been a dream since she was a teenager.

She said: ‘Although I haven’t been successful just yet, I usually go out and take professional photos of myself and add it to my portfolio to pass on to agencies.

‘Despite no agencies picking up on them yet, these photo sessions have helped my levels of confidence immensely and I have started to love myself for who I am.

‘I get comments from those online who see my photos, who have called me the ‘tallest woman in Brazil’ and although this is probably true, nothing has been made official yet.’

Although she spent many years feeling self conscious about her height, she says her family have helped her learn to love who she is.

She added: ‘I have learned to love myself for my unique height, as there’s no-one quite like me and I think that’s rather special.

‘I have found a good man to love, have a wonderful son, a beautiful family and I am grateful that God has taught me to overcome these obstacles in life.

‘Don’t let people’s evil comments interfere with your life, as it’s not for them to judge you based on how you look or who you love – stay true to yourself and you’ll live happily.’

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Pakistan's tallest woman, Zainab Bibi, passed away on Thursday.

Zainab was admitted to Allied Hospital Faisalabad, two months before. She was 46 years old at the time of death. She was reportedly suffering with diabetes and osteoporosis.

Zainab was 7 feet 2 inches and in 2003 was declared the world's tallest woman, earning her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

In an interview to Dawn newspaper last year, she said that she was striving to make ends meet owing to her illness and lack of financial cooperation from the government. And her sister had to sell pakoras in order to make ends meet.

After that Zainab Bibi was handed over a cheque worth Rs 2 million by the government by the government of Nawaz Sharif to ease her predicament.

Her funeral ceremony will be held in her ancestral village Rajana, Toba Taik Singh.

The star of over 75 feature films and television programs and internationally recognized for her 5-year starring role as Lt. Stephanie Holden in the tv series BAYWATCH, Alexandra Paul began her acting career at age 18 starring in the highly rated telefilm PAPER DOLLS. She then starred in the Warner Bros. motion picture AMERICAN FLYERS opposite Kevin Costner, DRAGNET opposite Tom Hanks & Dan Ackroyd, EIGHT MILLIONS WAYS TO DIE opposite Jeff Bridges & Andy Garcia, Stephen King’s CHRISTINE, SPYHARD with Leslie Nielsen and two films opposite Pierce Brosnan.

In 2014, Alexandra has already starred in the web series MENTOR and the movie DIRTY. Earlier, Alexandra starred in the independent film CHRISTMAS SPIRIT and the made for tv movie NO ONE TO BLAME.  In 2011, she was a spokesperson for the Volt, a plug in car by Chevrolet. Alexandra Paul starred in THE BOY SHE MET ONLINE and co-starred in A BEER TALE in 2009. In 2008, the independent film TRU LOVED, in which Alexandra played a gay mother, swept film festivals. That year she also starred in the movies A DATE WITH MURDER, FAMILY OF FOUR, A SISTER’S SECRET and CHRISTMAS CRASH. She guest starred in the Emmy nominated series, MAD MEN, and co-starred in the independent film, JAVELINA. Alexandra is also featured in the highly acclaimed, award winning documentary WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR, now out on DVD and a top ten documentary on Netflix.Her other roles include ROUGH AIR opposite Eric Roberts, ABOVE AND BEYOND opposite Adam Baldwin & Costas Mandylor, EXPOSURE opposite Ron Silver, REDEMPTION OF THE GHOST opposite Diane Ladd & John Savage, the Disney Channel telefilm BRAINIACS, BREAKING UP REALLY SUCKS, a short lesbian-themed film for POWER UP Films, and a recurring role in the final season of MELROSE PLACE.

For 4 years, Alexandra hosted the extreme sports series WILD WATERS on the Outdoor Life Network, in addition to hosting the WE network series WINNING WOMEN for two seasons. She also hosted 150 episodes of the environmental cable access talk show EARTH TALK TODAY.

But being in front of the camera is far from Alexandra’s only interest. Alexandra was honored by the ACLU of Southern California as their ’2005 Activist of the Year’ for her long history of fighting for the environment, voting rights and peace issues. In 1997 the United Nations commended Alexandra for her environmental activism. In 1999, she won the International Green Cross award. She walked across America for over five weeks on The Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament, and has been arrested over a dozen times for protesting at the Nevada Nuclear Test Site.

Alexandra has been driving electric cars since 1990. She is a vegan and will not use any products tested on animals. She has traveled to Nicaragua with a medical aid group, to Lousiana to help animals after Hurricane Katrina,  to South Africa to register voters and to Sierra Leone to promote family planning.She is also a certified EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), has been registering voters once a week for 15  years and speaks fluent French. A dedicated and accomplished athlete as well, in 1997, Alexandra spent nine months training for the WORLD IRONMAN TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPSin Hawaii (a grueling 2.44 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile marathon), which she completed in 13:18:52.  In June, Alexandra swamp around Key West, a 12.5 mile race.

In addition, Alexandra wrote, produced and hosted JAMPACKED, an educational film broadcast on PBS about the human overpopulation crisis, which has won several environmental awards. She followed that up with THE COST OF COOL — FINDING HAPPINESS IN A MATERIALISTIC WORLD, which won a CineEagle award. In 1986, she (along with producer / manager Daniel Sladek) founded YOUNG ARTISTS UNITED, a successful non-profit organization dedicated to helping teenagers in need. Alexandra has also personally spoken, classroom-by-classroom, to over six thousand Los Angeles teenagers on the issue of human overpopulation. In 2000, Alexandra and her twin sister Caroline were the recipients of the Christopher Street West Rainbow Award for their ongoing support of gay and lesbian rights. In spite of her busy acting career, Alexandra continues to find time for social activism and athletic competition:

• In 2003, Alexandra spent 5 days in federal jail for protesting the war in Iraq.
• In 2004, Alexandra competed in a 6.2-mile ocean swim off the coast of Bonaire, in the Dutch Antilles.
• In March 2005 she captured worldwide media attention for her arrest during a protest to save some of the last remaining GM EV1 electric cars from destruction.
• In September, 2006, Alexandra swam 10 miles in the Maui Channel Swim, an ocean swim race from the island of Lanai to the island of Maui.
• In August, 2009, Alexandra raced an 11 mile ocean swim race from Denarau Island to Beachcomber Island in Fiji.

Alexandra’s favorite book is Atlas Shrugged  and her favorite man is her husband, triathlon coach Ian Murray.

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Playing a woman discovering sexuality in the '50s makes actor Allison Janney think of — of all people — her mother. Janney's mother and father got married in their early 20s, and she doesn't believe her mother had sex with anyone else.

"I remember my mother talking to me about the birds and the bees," she tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross. "Of course, I had already known [about them], probably years before she came to me. But remembering the way she talked to me about it — it's just everything about her reminds me of Margaret Scully."

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Allison Janney: ‘I would get cast as 40-year-old women when I was still in my teens’

Janney, who didn't find success as an actor until she was in her late 30s, thinks things are looking up for women – even very tall women – in Hollywood

By Tara Brady

There is a story from Hollywood's golden age that tells us that Lana Turner, upon visiting her tailor, looked over at a dress dummy for the Irish-born Greer Garson and sniffed: "She's a very tall woman."Was Turner being euphemistic? Perhaps not. It's not easy being tall in Hollywood. Just ask Allison Janney.

"It was really hard for me to get cast in anything for a long time," she says. "I would get cast as 40-year-old women when I was still in my teens. There just wasn't a lot of work out there for people of my height."

No wonder she is giddy talking about Spy, a new espionage caper from Bridesmaids director Paul Feig that brings together Janney (1.83m) and Miranda Hart (1.85m) as handlers for unlikely CIA operative Melissa McCarthy (1.6m).

"I've known and admired Melissa forever," says Janney. "And we hit it off immediately with Miranda, who is just glorious. We really want to work together again. We're going to have to find or write a play for tall women."

Spy boasts a plot that is at least as good as the last two Bond films, with plenty of Pink Panther-worthy bumbling. Even better, Janney gets to boss Jason Statham around.

"I only knew him as the consummate screen tough guy," she says. "But it turns out he's charming and funny and loves to be silly. He's just delightful. And it was just a playful shoot. I think I made up a new swear word."

Standing up for herself

In truth, we're not too surprised to see The Stath cowering and sulking at Janney's every command. As CJ in The West Wing, she was quite capable of slapping down her own president ("That's fine. Just don't show off"), while her steely stand-off with the ultrasound technician in Juno is perhaps that film's finest moment.

"People talk about mom roles," says Janney. "But mom roles can be pretty interesting."

She has, indeed, recently taken home an Emmy – her sixth – for her work on Mom, the Chuck Lorre-produced multi-camera sitcom concerning a mother (Janney) and daughter (Anna Faris) who are both recovering addicts.

"Mom is the best day job I ever had," she says. "It's two weeks on, one week off, which is very civilised after the 17-hour days on The West Wing. Glorious even. So I've been able to do HBO's Masters of Sex , which I loved doing also, alongside Mom.

"I'm so grateful to have stumbled into such a great show at this point in my career. It manages to take very serious topics like addiction and make them funny. Because in the end, isn't that how people get through things?"

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Ana Lúcia Hickmann Corrêa (born March 1, 1981) is a Brazilian model who has worked for Victoria's Secret, Nivea, L'Oreal, Clairol, and Bloomingdales. She has appeared in the South African version of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and on the covers of Brazilian Vogue, Marie Claire, and Elle.

She currently distributes her own clothing and cosmetics lines, manages a photography studio and a DJ agency, and co-hosts the daytime program Progamma da Tarde, (with Britto Júnior and Ticiane Pinheiro) on the Brazilian TV network Rede Record. One of the regular guests on her show is magician Mario Kamia, who performs a range of tricks and illusions. Some of Kamia's illusions involve using Hickmann as his assistant, including dividing her into three in the Zig-Zag Girl and sawing her in half using a Buzz Saw.

Hickmann, who is of German heritage, was once listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as "The model with the longest legs", measuring 46.5" (118 cm, measured from hip to heel) out of a total height of 73". Since 2002, the Guinness Book no longer lists this title.[citation needed]

She was ranked #47 and #85 on the Maxim Hot 100 Women of 2004, and 2005, respectively.

On February 14, 1998 she married former model Alexander Corrêa. In August 2013, Hickmann announced that she is pregnant with the couple's first child, a boy. The news came with much joy, as the couple had wanted a baby for some time.

Source: Wikipedia

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• Residence Basel, Switzerland
• Date of Birth November 6, 1987
• Birthplace Belgrade, Serbia
• Height 6' (1.84 m)
• Weight 152 lbs. (69 kg)
• Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
• Status Pro (August 2003)

Personal

Started playing tennis at the age of five after watching it on TV (a match of Monica Seles), remembering the phone number to a local tennis school and begging her parents to take her; was given a racket for fifth birthday and immediately fell in love with the game

Mother, Dragana, is a lawyer; father, Miroslav, is a businessman; brother, Milos, is four years Ana's junior; the whole family likes sports, but none played tennis before Ana

Best shot is the forehand; likes all surfaces

Has been part of the adidas Player Development Program since 2006 and has consequently worked on and off with coach Sven Groeneveld

Likes watching movies (especially thrillers), reading and listening to music (pop and R&B); also enjoys shopping, fashion; favourite TV shows are 24, Lost, Revenge and Prison Break

Favourite food is sushi; favourite drinks are water, fresh pineapple juice and mango smoothies

Speaks fluent English, Serbian and some Spanish

Favourite places to visit are Melbourne, where she has some family, Mallorca, Paris and Rome

Self-described as strong-willed, sensitive, determined and extremely competitive

Most admires her family for all the support they give her

Admires Roger Federer for his professionalism on and off the court

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