Story & Lesson Highlights with Cambria Francesca of Los Angeles

Cambria Francesca shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Cambria , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
First thing in the morning, I’m woken up by my pocket bully, Niko, pawing at me to wake up for cuddles. After about 30 minutes, I take him down stairs to have his morning biscuit and take him on a walk. 30 mins later we are back in the house and I’m preparing his food and my morning lemon water and then wrestling with him to wash his little paws before we head back upstairs to check my morning emails and post my content for the day on my socials for about an hour before heading back downstairs for my overnight oats.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Cambria Francesca, a plus-size, disabled model, actress and content creator represented by Bicoastal MGMT; a chronic illness survivor and a proud Patient Advocate with Lupus LA .

With nearly a decade of experience in the fashion industry, l’ve dedicated my career to pushing for greater inclusivity-not just in size, but in ability representation and access.

My mission is to remind the world that body diversity doesn’t end at size. Disabled bodies belong here too-in fashion, in film, and at every table where decisions are made.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
As a kid I was 5’8″ by time I was 10 yrs old and basketball was my life. The first time I remember feeling powerful was beating the boys at school in basketball and seeing the respect but also resentment I received for just being a girl. I remember making it my goal for a long time to prove I was better than the guys. Stronger, smarter, faster. I pushed myself academically and physically because I realized I was always underestimated, not just by men, but by the world and I set out to show them and shut them up. That was before I learned that I had all the power I needed in me and stopped striving to prove anything to anyone but myself.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Loss… loss of not having a father in my life, loss of innocence at a young age, loss of my home, loss of my family, loss of my health.

I gave myself the grace and the permission to mourn. Mourn the Daddy Daughter relationship I would never have with my father so that I could forgive enough to create a new type of relationship. Mourn the little girl I didn’t get to be and allow her to live in me now. Mourn the loss of my foundation so that I could find that within myself, mourn the people I’ve lost so I can remember everything they’ve taught me. Mourn the body I once had, so I can fall in love with the one I live with every day.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
No, the real me is a lot messier, life is messy and unpredictable and mine particularly so, so I think I work hard to make my public image more curated while still aiming for transparency but not always being comfortable with the vulnerability it takes.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Living in California. I have been here for 10+ years and have grown soo much, but I can also only grow so much here.

I’m ready for the next chapter, be it the East Coast or International markets… Cali will always be home, but LA is not where I see myself 10yrs from now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://my.facecardhq.com/francesca
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambria__francesca
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cambriafrancesca?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cambriaplusmodel
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@cambriafrancesca
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cambriafrancesca

Image Credits
Anastasiya Sazhina – @anastasiya_s_photo
Tiffany Rose – @trosephotos