Yumi Nu’s modeling career started a little earlier than most. “I was a baby model,” Nu says with a laugh. “But as a baby, all you do is poop and sleep, so I got taken out of that very early.” The 24-year-old model-musician may have missed out on her chance to be the next Gerber spokesperson, but her current career more than makes up for it. Nu has risen through the ranks in the last two years to become one of the industry’s top curve models, but 2021 has seen her experience the kind of crossover success that turns runway stars into household names.
Over Zoom Nu is affable and energetic. Dressed in a minimalist blouse with her long dark hair parted down the center, she looks the part of model-off-duty. Nu’s rise to prominence has coincided with the increase in size representation in prestige publications and during fashion month. These days it’s not unusual to see models like Ashley Graham, Paloma Elsesser, and Precious Lee in campaigns and on covers.
