Melissa Owens Miller (born June 30, 1963), known professionally as Emme, is an American plus-size model, social reformer and body image advocate. Emme gained worldwide fame as the first full-figured model chosen for People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People, first in 1994, then for a second time in 1999. Emme is largely recognized in the 1990s as the leading model in the profession, as well as its highest earner.

Early life

Born Melissa Miller in New York City, Emme was raised in Saudi Arabia, and returned to the United States as a teenager to attend Kent School in northwest Connecticut. In her book, she tells the story of her stepfather instructing her at age 12 to strip down to her underwear while he took a black marker and drew circles on her outer thighs, hips, stomach and arms to highlight where she needed to lose weight. Syracuse University awarded Emme a full athletic scholarship and she became a member of the crew team; she is also a member of the Syracuse University Orange Plus Hall of Fame, where she was inducted for her significant contribution to women's athletics and to the sport of rowing In addition, Emme was invited to the U.S. Olympic Team trials, as well as several U.S. National Team trials. After graduating in 1985, she spent two years in Flagstaff, Arizona, where she was a reporter and morning anchor for the NBC affiliate KNAZ-TV.

Career

In 1998, she was the first plus-size model to be a spokesperson for Revlon. Emme had a sportswear line of sized 2–26 women's clothing sold at QVC under the me BY EMME label and the Emme Collection sportswear line manufactured by Kellwood and sold to department stores. A 16" collectible doll bearing Emme's name and likeness generates money to benefit body image and self-esteem organizations.

Personal life

Emme's sister Melanie is also a model. Emme married Phillip Aronson in 1989 and moved to New Jersey. In 2001, Emme's daughter Toby was born. She separated from her husband in 2007, and later finalized her divorce in 2008. Emme's daughter Toby Cole was recently in Teen Vogue and is signed at IMG Models.

Cancer

In May 2007 Emme was diagnosed with Stage 2a Hodgkin's lymphoma – a type of lymphoma that is often curable with radiation and chemotherapy. She had surgery and in November 2007 doctors declared that she was "cancer-free".

Awards