Erin Heatherton battled with her body image.
Erin Heatherton's Instagram post
The blonde model landed one of the most sought-after jobs in fashion when she became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2010, just two years after first walking for the lingerie giant.
Erin hung up her wings in 2012 after feeling the pressure of having to look perfect all the time and becoming stressed with worry about her figure, but since she made the decision to stop working for the company she has felt empowered.
The 27-year-old revealed her battle in an emotional post to her 695,000 followers on Instagram.
Along with a sultry photo of herself in fuschia underwear and a black tank top emblazoned with the logo 'Empowered by Failure', she wrote: "The breakdown to breakthrough moment in my life has allowed me to become the truest version of myself. In my moment of 'failure', I stood in the face of adversity. I was struggling with my body image and the pressures to fulfil the demands of perfectionism upon me. I am not perfect.
"Through this struggle, however, I found the strength to love myself. I stood in my power. I thought of one of my favorite quotes, 'Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a men's character, give him power' - Abraham Lincoln.
"I look back on that moment now, and I embrace it. This feeling I once perceived as "failure" was, in truth, a powerful awakening for me to stand behind my purpose in life. I stepped away from hiding behind a fabricated version of myself. I no longer put actions behind my fears and insecurities. I made a choice to redirect my energy to be a catalyst for change. To create a channel for women to become the truest versions of themselves, along with me. (Stay tuned for more...) In the end, if you aren't being true to yourself, then what the f*** is the point. #rebelwacause #empowerment#womensempowerment#empoweredbyyou (sic)".
Erin made her breakthrough appearing in Diane Von Furstenberg's catwalk show in 2006.
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