Crystal Renn was born in Miami on June 18, 1986. When she was a teenager, Crystal's family moved to the small town of Clinton, Mississippi. At 14, her mother enrolled her in charm school, where Crystal met a scout who told her she had the potential to become a supermodel. Crystal eventually moved to New York to pursue her dream, but after a few years of working as a high-fashion model, she reassessed her personal and professional goals and reemerged as a plus-size model. It was the best decision she could have ever made.

After years of forging a unique identity in the fashion industry, Crystal's career is in full bloom. She has worked with some of the world's most renowned fashion photographers, most notably Steven Meisel, who has shot the beauty for numerous Vogue editorials. In addition to appearing in magazines like i-D, Arena Homme, and V Magazine, she has graced the covers of Elle Italia and Harper's Bazaar Australia—the only plus-size model ever to do so. Crystal has also worked her seductive stare in ad campaigns for Lane Bryant, Mango, and Dolce & Gabbana, and off the pages, she has walked for Vena Cava, Elena Miro, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

In fall of 2009, Crystal published a book entitled Hungry, which chronicles the ups and downs of her compelling life and career. The model hopes that through her story women will shun self-hatred and gain the confidence to accept their bodies and to love themselves for who they are.