When it comes to shaking up the modeling industry, Taylor Tookes isn’t just walking the walk — she’s changing the game.
From gracing the covers of Grazia and InStyle as the first short model to strutting her stuff during NYFW with designer Chuks Collins, the 5’1” trailblazer is using her voice (and viral platform) to demand a seat at the fashion table for petite models everywhere.
“It honestly feels super empowering to be one of the models to shatter barriers,” she tells Celeb Secrets. “I feel really honored and ecstatic to be a voice of change.”
In our exclusive Q&A, the model and Height Revolution co-founder opens up about launching her career during the pandemic, the shower thought that sparked a global movement, and her dream of walking every official fashion week around the world. Oh— and in case you didn’t know, she’s on a mission to break a Guinness World Record too. Casual!
Keep scrolling to get to know Taylor’s story, her secret talents, and the inspiring message she’s sharing with every petite girl who dreams of owning the runway by reading our full Q&A below, and don’t forget to connect with the budding model by giving her a follow on Instagram at @taytookes.
Celeb Secrets: You’ve already made history as the first short model on the covers of Grazia and InStyle — no big deal! How does it feel to be shattering fashion’s height barriers one iconic moment at a time?
Taylor Tookes: “It honestly feels super empowering to be one of the models to shatter barriers but – no big deal haha! I think it’s something that’s long overdue and I feel really honored and ecstatic to be a voice of change. I truly hope this can lead to something more inclusive for all short women who have always been turned away for something they couldn’t control (their height).”
CS: Take us back to the beginning — your modeling journey started during the pandemic, which is not exactly the easiest time to break into fashion. What made you go for it, and how did you turn those challenges into opportunities?
TT: “I had no clue what I was doing. I didn’t really think it would be a rough time because I knew about the power social media had and still DOES have nowadays. Realizing people get discovered more through social media in today’s world rather than in person gave me hope. I just put myself out there because my thought process was – if nobody speaks out, then I’ll just do it myself and I don’t care if I’m the only one doing it. I was fed up with never seeing anyone like me make it big and get the representation they deserve in an industry that cries wolf about diversity & inclusion. I’d post my portfolio on Instagram and scouts, casting directors, designers started to notice me and would reach out to me for shoots, music videos and campaign opportunities. I still remember a casting director reached out to me to be in a HUGE music video during the pandemic but because I had no control over if I could fly out or not, I had to sadly turn it down. I still mope about that.”
CS: NYFW runways are usually reserved for the 5’10” crowd, but you strutted in and stole the show. What was running through your mind when you made history with Chuks Collins?
TT: “I think Chuks is so cool. He’s one of the few designers who actually understands the need for inclusion in the industry. If you look at his runways and presentations, he works with models of all sizes and I think that’s awesome. In my head, I was just thinking ‘Woah it’s really just me here!’’ but it also felt lonely. I was the only person under 5’6 in the room. I wanted to do well for the short model collective but I also wanted to have more than just one short girl.”
CS: Let’s talk “Height Revolution!” What sparked your mission to advocate for petite models, and what’s the biggest change you want to see in the industry?
TT: “Height Revolution was literally a shower thought. To be very transparent and real with you, I had just come across a casting for a huge agency. They were saying “all sizes welcome” but had a height requirement. I was FED UP. I took like an hour stewing in thought, frustration and anger in the shower and realized NO ONE is consistently holding these people accountable for hypocrisy and performative activism. Finally, I was like – absolutely not, let’s just do this already. I remember putting out a little ‘PSA’ on my close friends story telling my fellow models what I’m going to create and I asked if anyone else would like to join because I know we are all fed up – it’s just a matter of who is going to speak up and be the voice of change consistently. Two models came forward and although one left due to their own personal commitments, Marissa (co-founder) and I became the two models who would run Height Revolution. I literally just want to see inclusion for everyone. That’s all.”
CS: Social media played a huge role in launching your career — what’s your secret sauce for building an online presence that turns heads (and books gigs)?
TT: “I don’t know, I think it’s just being yourself. People might think it’s cliche and corny to say that, but it’s just the truth. Being authentic is the best thing you could do for yourself. People like authenticity and I think it’s exhausting to wear a mask. Who wants to do that for their entire career? Literally no one. Why wouldn’t you want to be yourself? Are you not the only person on this planet who IS… YOU? That’s your strength, so own it. Just put yourself out there as yourself, not as a character unless that’s your niche.”
CS: You’re about to land features in Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. Have you had your “pinch-me” moment yet, or are you still in full takeover mode?
TT: “Both!!! I am very much still in full takeover mode but I am also very much in “Wow, this is really my life!” mode. It still hasn’t hit me that I’m that one short model that gets approached by these amazing, well-known, well-renowned magazines, agencies, designers, stylists, casting directors.. And it’s all because I had the balls to stand up for short women in fashion. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I hadn’t decided to take a stand and speak out so boldly.”
CS: Who are the models or fashion icons that inspire you, and how have they shaped your approach to breaking barriers?
TT: “Plus sized models and Aariana Rose Philip. Plus sized models were once 100% discriminated against. They were NOWHERE near a runway, the public was NOT pleased, it was a total NO for a very long time. We are not where we should be with plus size models’ acceptance in the fashion industry, but it has progressed so much and I love that for them. They spoke up consistently, they truly rode for each other and helped each other fight for their spot at the table. Keep in mind, they are not “standard size” either, just like petite models are not. The fact that they still made a way is inspiring to me – even if there aren’t many plus size models on the runway, there are still a few. Aariana is one of the first transgender disabled models to hit a runway. She is not only an inspiration to me, but has the sweetest soul too. We are nowhere near where we need to be for disabled models either, but she is an example that it can be done. I feel like if that could happen for people who aren’t standard size or people who “fit the norm”, we are included in that box as short models, so it can happen for us too.”
CS: Fashion campaigns, magazine covers, and NYFW runways — what’s the next major goal on your vision board?
TT: “I really want to do like.. some sort of a world tour but obviously I won’t be singing or dancing. It’ll just be me on the runway. I want to take a year to go to every country where they hold an official fashion week and walk the runway. I literally have my list already made so honestly 2026, let’s go.”
CS: We LOVE a strong support system! How has the Black community uplifted you throughout your journey, and how do you hope to pay it forward?
TT: “I would not be where I am without the black community. My community rides for me and I truly appreciate that. I appreciate the designers, casting directors, stylists who have seen ME and have uplifted me. They know it’s a whole different ballpark being black in this industry and it is very refreshing to be surrounded by people who understand it. They know the opportunity meter is different for us, so the fact that we are able to help each other out and elevate together is honestly everything. I want to do a lot for the black community. I want to uplift and sponsor short black models when I am fully able.”
CS: If you could manifest a dream collaboration — whether it’s a designer, a brand, or a fellow model — who would it be and why?
TT: “Christian Siriano. Period. I love everything about him and I LOVE that he is one of the only designers who actually understands and actively speaks out about genuine diversity. He’s so cool to me.”
CS: What’s your message to every petite girl out there who dreams of owning the runway but feels like the industry isn’t made for her?
TT: “I want them to know – Actually let me talk directly to them – I want YOU to know the industry IS meant for you and everyone deserves a spot at the table because the table is large enough. You wear clothes, don’t you? That’s exactly why you belong here too. Fashion is for everyone to enjoy – it isn’t and shouldn’t be reserved for a certain size, height, race, etc. Everyone deserves to feel and look amazing.”
CS: Okay, we ask everyone this — since we’re Celeb Secrets, what’s one secret people wouldn’t know about you? Any fun hidden talents or guilty pleasures?
TT: “I don’t really know. I think I’m a pretty open book.. I don’t know if people know but I want to beat the Guinness World Record for most spoken languages. I’ve got a few under my belt, but I want to learn maybe 4 this year or more if I can. I can also name one song from literally every country. Yes, every country.”
