Anansa Sims is the daughter of legendary supermodel Beverly Johnson and late music producer Danny Sims, and Sims has carved out her own remarkable career. The 36-year-old mother of three has been featured in Glamour, Boudoir and a host of other mags and sites, and she was in New York City to celebrate her famous mother’s new memoir, The Face That Started It All.
“I’m so proud of my mom. I’m just beaming. I’m so happy for her,” Sims gushed. “She was one of the first major black models. She broke through barriers and I feel like being a plus sized, curvy woman, I’m breaking barriers in a different kind of way. She really inspired me to step out, be the person that you are and do things that you don’t normally see.”
And what was the best advice that her supermodel mother ever gave her, career-wise?
“Put your chin down, smile with your eyes!” she shared, laughing.
But Sims obviously learned a lot more from her mother. Grace, poise and a willingness to push herself have made her one of the more visible plus-sized models in fashion. She revealed years ago that she actually booked more modeling jobs after she embraced her size. And Sims remembers one particular shoot that both confirmed that she’d “arrived” as a famous model in her own right, as well as cemented what she’d hoped to represent in her career.
“I did a shoot with Glamour magazine a few years back with seven of the top plus-sized models and we were all naked,” Sims recalled. “I never thought I’d do a nude shoot but it was basically to show that all bodies are beautiful. Curvy women are beautiful, thin women are beautiful — just love yourself and be true to yourself. That was an amazing thing to be a part of.”
Sims was out celebrating her mom and enjoying the festivities surrounding New York Fashion Week 2015. But she doesn’t play favorites when it comes to designers. At least — she doesn’t want to.
“I can’t remember exactly who this is! I’m going to find out!” she replied after she was asked about her gorgeous dress. “I’m looking forward to so many people [at Fashion Week 2015], but I don’t want to leave anyone out. I’m just really excited for all of the shows!”
