Natalie Ross is ready for the road

Caribbean carnival has long been a space where body positivity thrives, and where revellers can be themselves unapologetically. For Natalie Ross, a curvy and confident self-proclaimed soca-junkie, this acceptance of revellers regardless of their shape or size, is just another reason to celebrate the carnival experience.

The 36-year-old Kingston native, whose mantra is ‘live life to the fullest’, got a chance to live out her lifelong dream jumping Miami Carnival for the first time in 2022. Ross described the experience as truly liberating despite lingering North American societal ideals of what the ‘carnival body’ should look like. “I can understand people being self-conscious about their bodies. However, once you’re marching it’s all about fun and enjoyment. Everyone was revelling and having the time of their lives. Therefore, I don’t think people should let their physical differences hinder them from participating in the beauty of carnival.”

Ross took her best friend, Lisa-Marie Fowler, as her ‘plus-one’ after winning a five-day all-expenses-paid trip to Miami, as part of the Smirnoff Miami Carnival Experience promotion last year. The duo experienced the thrill of Miami Carnival road march, the soca explosion of J’ouvert Mas and an unforgettable concert, dubbed Twisted, featuring Afrobeats star Burna Boy.

“I have done road marches in the past, but this was my first time all decked out in costume. Once we landed in Miami, the activities commenced with a bang. We were decked out in all-white for the Burna Boy concert which was amazing. The best part for me was crossing the stage. Carnival is such a magnificent production. The joy of being onstage dancing and showing off your costume was unforgettable. The carnival costume chosen was Dragonaires and I felt comfortable and confident in it,” Ross asserted.

Designed by Jamaican Jessica Campbell, the gorgeous red costume with red and gold feathers was as an ode to soca icon Byron Lee.

Coming off the excitement of Miami Carnival, Ross is excited to be back on the road this Sunday and is set to jump with Xodus.

For curvy girls who might still be hesitant about entering the carnival space, Ross is encouraging them to boldly step out in all their glory. “Once you’re marching it’s all the experience. Don’t allow societal expectations to limit you. I cannot think of anything that I would do differently. The Smirnoff Carnival Miami Experience was epic! We Jamaicans guh hard when enjoying our culture and the diaspora is just an extension of that. I love to see persons outside of the Caribbean enjoying our culture and it should be encouraged.”