Joanne Borgella (May 29, 1982 — October 18, 2014)[1] was an American singer, plus-size model and reality television personality. She was signed to Wilhelmina Models in New York City, Miami and LA. She was the first winner of Mo'Nique's Fat Chance pageant as "Miss F.A.T." in 2005[2] and a top 24 contestant on the seventh seasonofAmerican Idol in 2008. Borgella died October 18, 2014, due to a rare form of endometrial cancer.
She was "Miss F.A.T." 2005, and the first season winner of Mo'Nique's Fat Chance. Borgella was represented by Wilhelmina Models 10/20 division in New York and Miami.[citation needed] She had been the face of Torrid, Ashley Stewart, Wal-Mart and Kohls department store and appeared advertisements featured in Seventeen, Essence and InStyle, among others.[citation needed] She was also one of the faces of Procter & Gamble a new campaign that many are calling a "movement" directed at the African American woman, "My Black is Beautiful".[citation needed]
Borgella appeared as a coach on MTV's Made in 2011.[4] In 2013 Borgella joined the cast of NUVOtv's show Curvy Girls.[5]
In October 2013, Borgella posted a video stating she had been diagnosed with cancer.[7] She said she was suffering from severe headaches and, upon going to the emergency room to determine the cause of those headaches, discovered that cancer had spread to her brain. Borgella died early on October 18, 2014, at age 32.[1]
