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.Pedota, Chris. "One couple's climb to hope Supermodel and husband tell their sides of coming back from his depression", The Kansas City Star, April 2, 2006. Accessed September 10, 2025, via Newspapers.com. "Emme and Phillip Aronson at home in Closter, New Jersey."
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.Witchel, Alex. "Size 14, 190 Pounds: A Model Figure", The New York Times, March 12, 1997. Retrieved October 11, 2007. When Emme was in high school, her family moved back to the States, settling in Houston. At Kent School Emme joined the rowing team, sealing a life's passion for strenuous exercise. In her book, she tells the story of Sam's 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."
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 rowingcuse.com. "'Night of Distinction' to Honor SU Athletics Alumni", Syracuse University Sports, Syracuse, NY, October 15, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2015. 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 Closter, 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.Toby Cole Signed to IMG
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".Emme's Cancer Battle: I need to be strong (interview in People magazine, Jan 2008)
Awards
Award Organization Year Hall of Fame Syracuse University Orange Plus 1994 Woman of Distinction – New York Girl Scouts of the USA 1997 S.A.R.A. Award Night of Distinction To Honor SU Athletics Alumni Syracuse University 2006 Letterwinner of Distinction Syracuse University 2008 Hall of Fame Syracuse Alumni Rowing Association 2013 Inspiration and Visionary Award Women & Fashion FilmFest Launches Online WEBFest featuring Panel Discussions with Fashion & Entertainment Leaders, Films & Webseries on Womenfashfilm.com Women & Fashion FilmFest (WFF) 2015 Fashioning Futures for Women Award Career Wardrobe Gala: Fashioning Futures for Women Award Career Wardrobe 2015
References
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