Icelandic model Isold Halldorudottir talks about why the media needs to do a better job of showing the beauty of "fat" people, shares how to be your true self, and offers tips on spreading positive body energy on Instagram using the hashtag #fatgirloncam.

"I'd rather challenge the status quo than be a 'normal' person." Isold Halldorudottir, a model/body positive energy advocate. Her confidence is hard-won. The 23-year-old Icelandic girl grew up feeling like an anomaly and desperately wanted to look like 'normal' to others, even suffering from an eating disorder.

In 2016, she realized it was time to put away her apologies and show her true self.

So she started tagging her photos with #fatgirloncam, giving a whole new meaning to the word "fat," which has its own negative connotations. For the past four years, she has been an active advocate for body positivity and was recently asked to be the face of the Marc Jacobs Perfect perfume line.

You grew up in Iceland, what was the popular aesthetic there?

Thin is normal. People who weren't thin enough were seen as outliers and freaks, so I had a hard time making friends growing up. Even today, I sometimes feel like eyes are watching and judging me, but I'm used to it.

How does it feel to be treated like an outlier?

Iceland has a small population of just over 360,000, so being treated like an outlier can be extremely lonely. I remember having very few friends as a child, and the chances of meeting new people were almost nil.

It's interesting to look back now because I know that most of my classmates probably felt the same way I did, but they didn't know how to express themselves.

Have you tried to appeal to the popular aesthetic?Every day! I used to think of eating disorders as wonderful, thinking that if I stopped eating, everything would be fine. I'm constantly trying new diets, or following a fitness program, and doing everything I can to lose weight.

I even asked my friends at school to help me eliminate lunch so I wouldn't overeat. To this day, I am plagued with guilt every time I eat, constantly trying to prove that I am hungry and not greedy.

When did you decide to be yourself, and how did it feel?

I had just turned 21, and I realized I was spending a lot of time pretending to be someone I wasn't. Seeing myself full of 'shortcomings' in front of everyone, I stopped hiding and began to live the life I wanted. I feel free to let go of all doubt.

What does modeling mean to you?

Modeling has helped me get to know myself, get out of my comfort zone, and have the freedom to explore everything I love to support the things I think are so important, like diversity. I also met a lot of talented people, such as photographers, stage designers, makeup artists, stylists, creative directors, etc. Each one of them touched my life. Modeling is everything to me.

What do you think of the beauty industry's attitude towards plump figures? How can things change?Plump people have long been overlooked by the media. We've been left out on purpose, feeling excluded. The only way to change that is to have not just one seat in the market, but many.

I don't want to be a spare, I don't want to be my own plus-size spokesperson, or my own humble shop spokesperson. I have the right to share a stage with others, the right to stand in the C position.

What do you hope to achieve through social activism?

In general, to help those who feel abandoned by the world. Everyone has the right to feel equal, especially at a time when racism is rife. The most important thing is to speak out, to take action, to demand justice. Not only do it now, but always do it.

You tagged it with #fatgirloncam. What do you want to do with the word "fat"?

For years, people have used the word 'fat' to knock me down. Trying to use it to insult me, bully me, destroy me. To put it bluntly, it's just an adjective. It describes who I am, but it doesn't define me. My worth doesn't depend on my weight. Calling someone fat or thin is supposed to mean one thing, but somehow one is a compliment and the other isn't. That's what I want to change.

What does it mean to you to be the face of Marc Jacobs' latest campaign?

Arguably, it has made a difference. Somewhere in the world, someone looks at it and thinks, 'I could be that person.' I didn't have the opportunity to experience this as a child, because I didn't see similar images of myself in the media or in life.

Working with Marc Jacobs is not only a dream come true, it's a true inclusion. All I've ever wanted to do is make everyone feel less isolated. This AD makes sense!The theme of the AD is "You're already perfect." In what ways does this sentiment resonate with you?

It can give you great energy and dare you to accept that you are born perfect and do not have to submit to the standards of the masses. Still, I don't think self-acceptance exists.

You don't need to accept other people's vision, but to challenge yourself now. In this way, the opinions and opinions of others will not affect you in the future, but will promote your further growth.

Beyond ads and catwalks promoting inclusion, what needs to be done to change the perception of full-bodied people?

Ultimately, we need to let go of the assumption that no one is perfect. Imperfections, insecurities, or our shortcomings all stem from a system that makes money off of our self-doubt.

Beauty, they say, depends on the viewer. But why let strangers define your worth? If society is to progress comprehensively, it must break down these stereotypes and rebuild a mindset of contentment.

What makes you think you're perfect?

It's perfect to actively carve out space for yourself, both in the modeling industry and in your personal life. Growing up, I was always afraid to get in people's way and never let myself be the center of attention. Today, I try to challenge my insecurity until it disappears completely.