Plus-size model is a term applied to a person who is engaged primarily in modeling plus-size clothing. Plus-size models also engaged in work that is not strictly related to selling large-sized clothing, e.g., stock photography and advertising photography for cosmetics, household and pharmaceutical products and sunglasses, footwear and watches. Therefore plus-size models do not exclusively wear garments marketed as plus-size clothing. This is especially true when participating in fashion editorials for mainstream fashion magazines.

Synonymous and interchangeable with plus-size model is "full-figured model," "extended-sizes model," and "outsize model".

Fashion designers are starting to look more closely at the earning potential from plus-size clothing, and have used plus-size models for their advertising campaigns and catwalks. Jean-Paul Gaultier and John Galliano both used plus-size models in their Spring 2006 showings in Paris. Gaultier also used plus-size models Marquita Pring and Crystal Renn in his Spring 2011 Ready to Wear show. Italian plus-size fashion house Elena Mirò now regularly stages biannual prêt-à-porter shows during Fashion Week in Milan. Mark Fast and William Tempest each used plus-size models during their own London Fashion Week showings for Spring 2009, and again as part of All Walks Beyond the Catwalk event held on September 19, 2009 in association with the British Fashion Council. Mark Fast also used plus-size models in Fall 2010, Fall 2011, and Spring 2012.

Whitney Thompson (born September 26, 1987) is an American fashion model and is the winner of the tenth cycle of America's Next Top Model.

Before her appearance on the show, Thompson worked locally in northern Florida and appeared on the cover of Jacksonville magazine three times. She attended Duncan U. Fletcher High School and the University of North Florida, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega.

Thompson competed against 13 other contestants to win cycle 10 of America's Next Top Model. She was selected as one of the finalists to enter the Top Model house. Some of the judges^[who?] criticized her performances and personality as being "too pageant" and "fake".^{[citation needed]} Thompson received a first call-out during the music-themed photo shoot, and won one CoverGirl of the Week title, from the final photo-shoot challenge of cycle 10. She landed in the bottom two a total of four times.

Thompson competed in the finale against Anya Kop and won the title, making her the first plus-size model to win the show.