ET CANADA WELCOMES BIG BROTHER CANADA ALUMS BRITTNEE BLAIR AND JEDSON TAVERNIER AS NEW ON-AIR REPORTERS

October 27, 2022

ET CANADA WELCOMES BIG BROTHER CANADA ALUMS BRITTNEE BLAIR AND JEDSON TAVERNIER AS NEW ON-AIR REPORTERS

The Reality TV Fan-Favourites Join ET Canada’s Nightly Broadcast Starting November 1

Stream ET Canada Live and On-Demand with STACKTV, the Global TV App and GlobalTV.com

For Immediate Release

TORONTO, October 27, 2022 – ET Canada is proud to announce that former Big Brother Canada houseguests Brittnee Blair and Jedson Tavernier are set to join ET Canada as reporters beginning this November. Alongside hosts Cheryl Hickey and Sangita Patel, and reporters Carlos Bustamante, Morgan Hoffman and Keshia Chanté, Blair and Tavernier will help deliver the latest in entertainment news to Canadian audiences on the award-winning nightly broadcast, airing weeknights at 7:30 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Global.

“I’m so thrilled to be joining the ET Canadafamily,” exclaimed Blair. “I’m looking forward to all of the adventures yet to come, and to sharing so many wonderful stories with our viewers.”

“I am beyond excited to start working on ET Canada!” stated Tavernier. “This feels like a full circle moment for me, after appearing on Big Brother Canada on Global, to be given the opportunity to work as a reporter on the same network. I’m looking forward to getting in the studio, learning from the other on-air talent, and interviewing some amazing people!”

Brittnee Blair is a well-known Canadian television personality, appearing as host of W Network’s Movie Date, and appeared as a houseguest on the third season of Big Brother Canada. A beacon and advocate for body positivity and self-love, Brittnee is an international plus-size model, who prides herself on encouraging women of all shapes, colours, and sizes to embrace their own beauty. In her spare time, she travels the world discovering and connecting with new places and people, through local cuisine and experiences.

Jedson Tavernier is a Toronto-based model, social media creator, fitness enthusiast and TV personality. After five years of playing varsity basketball at the University of Western Ontario and graduating with two degrees in Kinesiology, Jedson transitioned his talents to entertainment, appearing on the ninth season of Big Brother Canada. Jedson also lends his talents to the Toronto Raptors social media team, and has appeared in various broadcast commercials and brand campaigns. When Jedson isn’t working, he loves to read, stay active, and inspire those around him.

“ET Canada is thrilled to welcome Brittnee and Jedson to the team as our newest reporters,” said executive producer, John Kampilis. “With engaging personalities and strong social presence, Brittnee and Jedson bring their own brand of storytelling and perspective to the show, and we can’t wait to introduce them to our viewers on November 1!”

ET Canada airs weeknights at 7:30 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT on Global. For up-to-the-moment entertainment news, celebrity interviews and more, visit etcanada.com, and stream ET Canada live and on demand with STACKTV and the Global TV App.

Global is a Corus Entertainment Network and is available through all major TV distributors, including: Shaw, Shaw Direct, Rogers, Bell, Videotron, Telus, Cogeco, Eastlink, SaskTel and the new STACKTV, streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video Channels. The Global TV App is available on iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku streaming players, Roku TV™ models and at watch.globaltv.com.

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About ET Canada
Entertainment Tonight Canada is a Canadian Screen Award-winning, nationally syndicated entertainment news program hosted by Cheryl Hickey and Sangita Patel. Along with Carlos Bustamante, Morgan Hoffman and Los Angeles reporter Keshia Chanté, ET Canada brings viewers closer to the stars with exclusive interviews and specials with the biggest celebrities in Hollywood.

About Corus Entertainment
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that develops and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. Engaging audiences since 1999, the company’s portfolio of multimedia offerings encompass 33 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a suite of digital and streaming assets, animation software, technology and media services. Corus is an internationally-renowned content creator and distributor through Nelvana, a world class animation studio expert in all formats and Corus Studios, a globally recognized producer of hit scripted and unscripted content. The company also owns innovative full-service social digital agency so.da, lifestyle entertainment company Kin Canada, leading 2D animation software supplier Toon Boom and children’s book publishing house, Kids Can Press. Corus’ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, Magnolia Network Canada, The HISTORY® Channel, Showcase, Adult Swim, National Geographic, Disney Channel Canada, YTV, Global News, Globalnews.ca, Q107, Country 105, and CFOX, along with broadly distributed Canadian streaming platforms STACKTV, TELETOON+, the Global TV App and Curiouscast. For more information visit www.corusent.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Melissa Ferris
Senior Publicist, ET Canada
mferris@etcanada.com

Texture Talk: Meet Our Latest Curl Crush, Curve Model Brittnee Blair

America’s Next Top Model may not have gotten everything right when it comes to what the fashion industry truly entails, but the drama between contestants did have a certain degree of accuracy — at least according to model and reality-television star Brittnee Blair. Her own foray into the fashion world picked up speed when she moved to NYC in 2013. “I stayed in a models apartment during my first few months, and I saw some things,” she says. “Some of the girls were really cutthroat. I’m talking ‘Nair in your conditioner during fashion week’ cutthroat.” Another seemingly made-for-TV moment involved a roommate throwing a fellow model’s alarm clock out the window to ensure that she’d sleep through a casting call.

Luckily for Blair, these early experiences only worked to unlock a deeper sense of self-assuredness. “New York challenged me to love and stand up for myself,” she muses. “You learn that everyone has opinions — in castings especially — and eventually you also learn that you can’t take them to heart.”

6 Canadian Women on the Size-Inclusive Brands They LoveU

Here’s to fashion that celebrates people of all sizes

Let’s get real: Finding stylish clothes larger than XL isn’t easy. While there certainly has been a push for fashion brands to expand beyond straight sizing in recent years, limited in-store availability, exorbitant shipping costs and fewer styles to choose from are still common challenges. But the fact is, people of all sizes want to express personal style and wear beautiful clothes, made with gorgeous fabrics in a range of silhouettes, colours and prints. The good news is that there’s more choice available in inclusive or plus-size fashion than ever before, and the options are so good. To highlight some of them, we asked six impeccably dressed Canadian women to share the inclusive brands they love.

Bustle - beautiful plus sIze women in linGerie

The best part? Each of these plus-size ladies in lingerie has, in their own way, inspired women all over the world to embrace their curves and love their bodies. It only takes a quick scroll of the hashtag #beautybeyond size or #lovetheskinyourein to find proof. Their scantily-clad existence is a physical representation of the new standard of beauty we are marching towards — a gorgeous embodiment of beauty at any size.

Unwrap the Holidays Early this Year with Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas, Beginning October 22 Only on W Network

W Network's Movie Date Welcomes New Hosts HGTV Canada's Sarah Keenleyside, Food Network Canada's Noah Cappe, and Big Brother Canada alum Brittnee Blair

Throughout Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas and beyond, viewers can look forward to new W Network's Movie Date segments featuring new hosts, HGTV Canada's Sarah Keenleyside, Food Network Canada's Noah Cappe, and Big Brother Canada alum Brittnee Blair, as they join the network to serve up segments in the holiday decor, design, food and lifestyle space. Welcoming guest experts in every episode, W Network's Movie Date will celebrate the very best of the season while acting as the perfect complement to the upcoming holiday slate and continuing to serve as an extension of W Network content year-round.

Fabuplus magazine - Three Influencers to Watch, In Honor of International Women’s Day 2020

2. Brittnee Blair / @brittneecblair

• Brittnee Blair has it all! Between modeling for major brands like Lane Bryant and Macy’s, becoming a houseguest on Big Brother Canada 3 in 2015 (and living in the House for over two months!), and appearing in news outlets such as ESSENCE and TeenVogue, Blair’s made herself a household name in the curvy community.

• Beyond serving looks in international fashion spreads and campaigns, Brittnee Blair often takes to Instagram to share body-positive photos and nuggets of inspiration. In a September 2019 interview with HuffPost, Blair remarked that some of the best advice she could share would be “to always dream big, and after you dream big, do big things… If you want something bad enough, fight for it, work toward it, and it will become a reality.” Blair also recently met with folks at Procter & Gamble, where she gave her followers a look into the Pantene Gold haircare line. Formulated by Black PhD holders and scientists specifically for curly and textured hair, Blair showed her audience that there are more options on the free market for POC hair maintenance than ever before.

• You can find Brittnee Blair on Instagram at @brittneecblair, on Twitter at @miss_curvy_B, or online at brittneeblair.com.

Chatelaine - I’m Plus-Size, I Love Fashion And I’m Not Alone. So Where Are All The Killer Clothes?

“I wish we could get to a point where it wasn’t a big deal to feature a plus-size body on the runway,” says Brittnee Blair, a plus model and former Big Brother Canadacontestant.

The Kit - 6 CANADIAN WOMEN ON THE SIZE-INCLUSIVE BRANDS THEY LOVe

Here’s to fashion that celebrates people of all sizes
by Melissa Perdigao • March 09, 2022

Let’s get real: Finding stylish clothes larger than XL isn’t easy. While there certainly has been a push for fashion brands to expand beyond straight sizing in recent years, limited in-store availability, exorbitant shipping costs and fewer styles to choose from are still common challenges. But the fact is, people of all sizes want to express personal style and wear beautiful clothes, made with gorgeous fabrics in a range of silhouettes, colours and prints. The good news is that there’s more choice available in inclusive or plus-size fashion than ever before, and the options are sogood. To highlight some of them, we asked six impeccably dressed Canadian women to share the inclusive brands they love.

BRITTNEE BLAIR

For Canadian model (and former Big Brother Canada houseguest) Brittnee Blair,  fashion is a love language. “My style is ever-evolving. A lot of times it’s mood based, but I love to bring new looks to the table, whether it be for an event, a vacation or just a day out on the town. I’m here for comfort, but I’m also here for elegance and a loud statement. It’s the first way you introduce yourself without having to use any words.” Here’s where Blair shops.

For comfy undies: Knix

“Knix is my go-to! It’s seen me through hard workouts, period days and even growing through pregnancy with my daughter. I love that the brand is size inclusive (XS to XXXXL) with everyday pieces that last a long time.”

For great sports bras: Adidas

“Adidas is a staple in my wardrobe! It ain’t easy to find a heavy-duty sports bra that makes you feel secure and confident as a plus-size woman. Whether I’m downward dogging or taking a boxing class, the ta-tas are secured. They absolutely kill it when is comes to a good legging, too.”

For luxurious separates: Henning

“Henning makes me feel stunning and luxe. At times, I like to think of myself as a classic kind of woman, and Henning is my go-to for these moments. I’m talking cashmere, beautifully tailored suits, leather jackets and the dreamiest trench coats. Henning knows the way to my heart and has me feeling all kinds of beautiful. I appreciate that they understand how to bring luxury to all body types.”

For fun fashion: Loud Bodies

“Loud Bodies just gets it. I’m obsessed with how bright and beautiful this brand is. Everything is there, from the inclusive sizing (2XS to 10XL) to the eclectic selection of pieces. Not to mention they’re ethically and sustainably run and a badass female-owned business.”

For thoughtful designs: Lesley Hampton

“Lesley Hampton is not only an incredible Canadian female designer but she advocates for mental health and is a strong leader in the Indigenous community. Each piece feels so thoughtfully crafted and luxurious, and you feel seen and represented when you wear her clothes. They are strong, stunning and proud.”

Vitadaily.ca

Meet 7 Canadian Body-Acceptance Influencers to Follow Now

Brittnee Blair

Instagram: @brittneecblair

What inspires your body-acceptance work?

I want to live so fiercely in my own skin that hopefully it inspires other to do the same. I have a desire to create transparency about my body and our bodies. Yes, I have stretch marks and I love them as they grow with me. Yes, I have cellulite and I still love my body and watching it move.

Who do you hope to reach?

I hope to reach people (men, women, non-gender conforming) who are in search of being inspired to love themselves. I would love to reach people who are in search of transparency, and who want to be uplifted when scrolling through their feed.

What do you hope your posts offer?

I hope to be that beacon for those in search of positivity. I want my followers to be inspired to think about their bodies in a positive light.

What do you do when you’re feeling low?

I try to tap into what brings me joy in that moment. It could be dancing around my house with my dachshund, Stephen, baking my favourite cookies, doing a boxing or HIIT class, going for a walk, or meditating. When I don’t feel like doing anything, I acknowledge that and allow myself some “me time” without worrying about not being productive.

What are your tips for warding off negative self-talk?

We all have an inner saboteur, that little voice that tells us all those things we really shouldn’t believe about ourselves. I practice appreciating one thing about myself daily, whether it is physical, emotional, or mental. I try to keep a solid foundation so that when that inner saboteur creeps up, I can shut it down and remind myself that I am so much more than those negative thoughts. When in doubt, I ask myself “would you talk to your best friend like that

Instagram vs reality: The perils of social media on body image

Some women are attempting to counter the toxic environment of body perfectionism by promoting self-love, diversity and positivity on social media platforms.

Brittnee Blair, a 32-year-old plus-size Black model from Toronto, is among them.

She says not having social media during her childhood years was both good and bad.

On the one hand, the school bullies didn’t follow her home, but on the flip side, she says it would have been amazing to be able to connect with others who looked like her and she could relate to.

Brittnee Blair says she was fortunate to miss the Instagram era growing up during her middle school years when children are at a really vulnerable and impressionable age. Photo credit: Bryan Whitely

On her Instagram account, which has 50,000 followers, the part-time TV host describes herself as “Miss Curvy B”, sharing what she says are “genuine and authentic” moments and “being unapologetically” herself.

While most of the feedback from her followers has been positive, Blair has also had her fair share of pushback and online trolls, for which she has set boundaries by either blocking accounts or certain words.

“Life is too short to be worried about what other people think,” said Blair.

8 Curvy Models You Need To Know

Brittnee Blair

Why you should know her: She was featured in Essence in "Curvy Model of the Month" in 2014 and has also appeared in campaigns for Macy's and Canadian clothing company Addition Elle.

How did you get your start as a model?
"I was born and raised in Calgary, Canada. When I was seven-years-old, I was out to lunch with my mom, and our server approached my mom and me, wondering if I'd be interested in modeling. He turned out to be a scout for a local modeling agency. My mom and I went into the agency later that day, and I had officially entered the modeling world. I'd done a few jobs around the city, but later on, at the age of 14, I decided that I didn't want to model. I was getting lumps and bumps, a.k.a. hips and breasts, and didn't look like other girls. When I was 19, I was helping my best friend get into photography and told her I would be her model for the day. I showed my mom a few of those pictures, and she sent them to my old agent. When I went in to meet with him, and he told me all about plus-size modeling and encouraged me to get back into that world. Later, I got the courage to submit my photos to the top-ten plus-size agencies in the world, and Ford Models Toronto signed me. I then went on to sign with Ford Models in New York and moved to New York City. I'm now modeling full time with JAG Models. It's been such an amazing experience."

What does beauty mean to you?
"Beauty is an air of confidence. It's the way a woman carries herself and takes pride in who she is, who she surrounds herself with, and the life she lives. Beauty is the courage to stand out and stand up for what you believe in, even if it doesn't suit the norm."

What do you think of the term "plus size"?
"I'm quite indifferent when it comes to the term. To me, plus size is simply a differentiation in a measurement. I receive comments like 'I can't believe you're considered plus size,' as though it's something I should be offended by. I take it upon myself to simply educate people that it's something I'm proud of, and really just a measurement. It's also a beautiful community that unfortunately has had a negative stigma. Fashion--especially plus-size fashion--has evolved so much, even in the past five years. Although it may take time to open people's eyes, I have faith that eventually we will get to a point where people won't even question it."

Did you have a certain "I made it" moment in your career?
"My biggest 'I made it' moment was when I saw my picture hanging in a store window for the first time. It was such a surreal feeling. I remember standing on that street in New York City, staring at this giant photo of myself in the store, and saying to myself, 'I made it, I'm doing this!'"

Who inspires you most?
"It's a toss-up between Beyoncé and Tyra Banks. They are both amazing, ambitious, successful women. They inspire me to break beauty standards, to go after what I want, and to try and make a mark in this world. Both their style and grace inspire me."

Any advice for women and girls who look up to you?
"I'm truly humbled and grateful to anyone who looks up to me. The best advice I hope to give is to always dream big, and after you dream big, do big things. There are so many times we tell ourselves no or talk ourselves down from going after our dreams or something we really want. But that's the last thing you should be doing. If you want something bad enough, fight for it, work toward it, and it will become a reality. The last piece of advice I can give is to love yourself wholly, truly, and unconditionally. We're not perfect, but as long as we're trying our best, that's what matters most. Once you love yourself, everything will fall into place."

What's up next for you?
"I'm focused on continuing to work toward making a bigger mark in the fashion industry. I hope to eventually break into the television world a bit more and to host a TV show."

10 Plus Size Canadian Influencers To Follow On Instagram

You may recognize Brittnee as a former Big Brother Canada contestant. But now, she’s a booked and blessed plus-size model walking runways in North America and looking goddamn fab on the ‘gram. Honestly, y’all need to follow this babe as she’s always glowing up the feed.

What It’s Like To Fall On Your Face At Toronto Fashion Week

KATHLEEN NEWMAN-BREMANG

LAST UPDATED SEPTEMBER 5, 2019, 12:29 P.M.

There was a moment when Brittnee Blair was on her hands and knees, in the middle of the runway of Hilary MacMillan’s Toronto Fashion Week spring/summer 2020 show when she stopped and thought, "what would Naomi Campbell do?" Blair was on her second walk in her second outfit of the show. Her first strut down the catwalk at TFW’s Fashion House in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood had been shaky, but she made it. The next time, she didn’t. Her foot slipped out of her left heel and every model’s nightmare came true — she went tumbling down to the ground as Toronto’s fashion elite looked on in shock.

"Naomi would get up and she would walk," Blair says she told herself, recalling the supermodel’s famous tumble in ’93 during a Vivienne Westwood show. "So, I got up and I walked. I thought, 'I’m not going to ruin this show. I'm going to serve lewks!''' And serve she did. The crowd's gasps turned to cheers of support as she as she picked herself up and continued her walk, which wrapped around the intimate venue and concluded by climbing up a staircase. She finished her walk with one shoe on and without breaking her model-stare, to a roar of applause.

Afterwards, I found the 30-year-old Calgary native leaving Fashion House dressed down in a denim skirt and sweater (and bravely, a pair of high-heeled boots). Despite having just fallen on her face in front of about 100 people, Blair was laughing. "My shoes just got hot and sweaty," she shrugged. "There’s only a thin strap — very Kim K — and I popped right out of them. She makes it look flawless, but I slipped right out." She added: "I couldn’t believe they were clapping for me. I was like, 'Thanks y’all. I needed y’all right now!' Ultimately, I’m disappointed that it happened but I’m happy I got back up."

We Tried It: The Best Plus-Size Jeans for Fall

Five women tried on countless pairs so you don’t have to! Check out what their fave denim styles look like on size 14 to 24

Finding a good pair of jeans that fit in all the right places is hard for anyone, but as a plus-size woman it can feel like mission impossible. I know stylish jeans in size 14+ exist—I see them on my Insta’s Explore page all the time—so why do I so rarely have success behind the fitting room doors?

Like many things in life, I’ve come to realize that the best way to know if those stylish-looking jeans are actually going to fit well IRL is to seek out recommendations from women who have actually tried them—and loved them. That’s why I rounded up four other babes, from size 14 to 24, to share their Holy Grail pairs of denim for fall. And we couldn’t resist a little photo shoot in the process, now could we?

Brittnee Blair, model, size 16

“I love the way these jeans fit! At first I was nervous to rock them, as I’m used to wearing high-waisted jeans and these are low-rise—but these are really well-designed. My bottom looks lifted and fabulous, the waistband feel structured and comfortable and the length is just right.”

Vintage stretch relaxed boot jeans, $69, torrid.com

This Curvy Model Flaunts Self-Love In Everything She Does And Wears

We love how Brittnee Blair bares every curve on her figure via sexy swimsuits, short-shorts, and bodycon dresses.

This international model’s curves are complimented by her infectious smile that radiates pure joy. She’s constantly stimulating self-love and reminding us to live our absolute best lives. You may have seen her modeling for notable brands such as Old Navy, Macy’s, Ashley Stewart, Lane Bryant, and many more.

ESSENCE caught up with this hard working curvy girl shared some beauty and fashion notes that are bound to uplift your style.

2 Alberta house guests in the finale of Big Brother Canada

Wed, May 17: Big Brother Canada Season 3 house guest Brittnee Blair joins Global Calgary to discuss the chances of winning for two Albertans in the finale of Big Brother Canada season 5.

http://globalnews.ca/video/3458226/2-alberta-house-guests-in-the-finale-of-big-brother-canada

TeenVOGUE: 13 Curvy Models You Need To Know

BRITTNEE BLAIR                                                                                                               7/15

Brittnee hails from Canada and is known to most there because of her role on Big Brother Canada 3. She's also modeled for Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart, and Fashion to Figure.

Nora Swimwear: Nora Girls - Brittnee Blair

This week is Brittnee Blair – a 26-year-old plus-size model who came in fourth place on Big Brother Canada in season 3. Brittnee has modelled for  brands like Macy's, Lane Bryant, and Ashley Stewart. 

First off Brittnee, tell us a little bit about yourself!

My name is Brittnee Blair, I'm a 26 year old plus-size model with Jag Models in New York and B & M Models Toronto. I'm passionate about people, my family, my friends and traveling.