Plus-Sized Beauty

Background:

"I was always a big kid and I'm okay with that, but I know that it would have been better growing up if I had seen role models who had figures like me, beauty comes in all different packages." Mia Tyler.

Plus-sized model and actress Mia Tyler, the daughter of rock star Steven Tyler and half-sister of actress Liv Tyler, has become a model for H & M's “Big is Beautiful” range and the face of Canadian plus-size retailer, “Pennington's.” Represented by the Wilhelmina modeling agency, Mia also has graced the pages of Teen, Mode, Vogue, USA Today Weekend, and the cover of Flare.

Mia, who took up TV hosting as a VJ on MTV2 in 2001 and joined the reality TV series “Celebrity Fit Club” in 2005, has appeared in the films "A Little Bit of Lipstick" (2000), "People Are Dead" (2002), and "Rush Hour 3" (2007). She will next be seen in an upcoming film called "Inheridance."

On a more personal note, the 5' 8" model/actress with 12-16 dress size was married to Papa Roach drummer Dave Buckner from 2003 to 2005. In 2007, she was reportedly engaged to guitarist Brian Harrah.

"Beauty comes in all different packages. If you're a size 12, then you're not any less beautiful than a size 4." Mia Tyler.

The Tyler Legacy

Childhood and Family:

Daughter of iconic rock band Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler and his then-wife Cyrinda Foxe, Mia Abagale Tallarico was born on December 22, 1978 in Hanover, New Hampshire. Mia's parents divorced in 1987, and she stayed on with her mother, who died in 2002 from a brain tumor.

Mia is the half-sister of successful model and actress Liv Tyler (born on July 1, 1977), whose mother is actress and singer Bebe Buell. Before finding out that they were sisters, the two met from running with the same crowds, and became good friends. At the time, Liv was under the impression that her father was Todd Rundgren until her late teen years. Mia also has two more half siblings, Chelsea Anna Tallarico and Taj Monroe Tallarico, whose mother is clothing designer Teresa Barrick.

"Although Liv and I didn't know each other growing up, there were so many things we had in common even before we met. Like we used to always get perms. This photo is from the first year we hung out together. Liv was in seventh grade, I was in sixth, and we're both growing out perms. We put on this frosty pink lipstick. We thought we were so cool!" Mia Tyler.

In 1990, Mia moved to New York City, where she attended Manhattan's Professional Children's School.

“I only know one life, and that is rock & roll. It is only fitting that I marry a rock star, I am used to the lifestyle. I need someone that understands where I am coming from.” Mia Tyler.

At the taping of MTV's Icon: Aerosmith in 2002, Mia met her Papa Roach drummer, Dave Buckner. They wed onstage during an Aerosmith concert held in the MGM Grand Garden Arena after her father, Steven Tyler, asked the crowd, "Hey Vegas, I need a favor, my daughter wants to get married tonight. Can I get a witness?" She was married to Dave Buckner for two years before divorcing in 2005, citing irreconcilable differences. In 2007, Mia reportedly got engaged to guitarist Brian Harrah.

“I see myself married with kids and happy in ten years, why not? I deserve that, I will make a great mom, and a decent wife, I want that, so I will get it I believe.” Mia Tyler.

In her spare time, Mia enjoys watching hockey, football, basketball, and baseball. She also likes to play with her five dogs, Diva, CC, Steve Perry, Bibble and Pig, and one cat named Dooders.

“I am so not the girly-girl. I like black clothes, but my favorite color is also pink. I like guy sports, watching them as well as playing. Hard rock is my music, and fast is my speed.” Mia Tyler.

A Little Bit of Lipstick

Career:

"I was still a spoiled daddy's girl. Not a wussy one but, you know, I was sitting on my butt doing nothing. No aspirations. So I thought, 'Well, it's money and I haven't made any of my own yet.'" Mia Tyler.

At age 17, Mia Tyler started appearing on television on MTV's “House of Style,” the premise being about models, fashion, and rock. She followed it up with a role in a CBS series pilot, titled “Michael Hays” in 1997. In the following year, she landed a modeling job, posing for clothing line/retailer Lane Bryant.

Her big break came when she decided to accept a modeling spread from Seventeen magazine, after which she graced the pages of Teen, Mode, Vogue, USA Today Weekend, and the cover of Flare. She is represented by the Wilhelmina modeling agency and has become a model for H & M's 'Big is Beautiful' range, joining the other H & M alumni that include Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, and Gisele Bundchen. She has also become the face of Canadian plus-size retailer, Pennington's.

After a cameo in the Coen brothers' comedy film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000; starring George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson), which is loosely based on the story of Homer's "Odyssey" and the 1989 novella "A Dozen Tough Jobs by Howard Waldrop," Mia landed a lead role, as Laura Simon, a full-figured teen working at a crumbling regional theater, in writer/director J.T. Foster's romantic comedy movie "A Little Bit of Lipstick" (2000).

In 2001, Mia took up TV hosting as a VJ on MTV2. Meanwhile, she appeared as The Body Snatcher in Kevin Ford-directed decent independent film, "People Are Dead" (2002; also starring Angela Bettis), in which she also served as an associate producer. She also took part in the reality TV series “Celebrity Fit Club” in 2005, where she lost 18 lbs.

Mia was recently seen playing Marsha in Brett Ratner's third installment in the martial arts/action-comedy "Rush Hour" franchise starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, "Rush Hour 3" (2007). She now reunites with Angela Bettis and writer/director Kevin Ford in his new film, "Inheridance."

“I have always been pudgy, it has never bothered me, I have always felt pretty, happy, and loved.” Mia Tyler.

Awards:
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