SHAQ SEEKS BIG & TALL AT PENNEY’S

Basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal headed the first in-store nationwide search for three new undiscovered big & tall models at the JCPenney in the South Point Shopping Center in McDonough, Ga. near Atlanta yesterday.

Joined by Wilhelmina Models casting director Olga Tavarez and former NFL defensive lineman David Carter who now works as a model in Wilhelmina’s aptly named Titan division, Shaq kicked off the promotional contest that will sign a trio of generously proportioned guys to model his exclusive-to-JCPenney Shaquille O’Neal XLG tailored clothing line for the fall/winter 2019 campaign. The three winners will also receive exclusive modeling contracts with Wilhelmina.

The contest ends on April 28 and Shaq will continue the search with additional store appearances at the JCPenney store in the Glendale Galleria in Los Angeles on April 18 and the Stonebriar Mall in Dallas on April 25. 

Interested guys who can’t make the live calls can also enter online by submitting their measurements and uploading a photo or video.

“The fashion industry is calling for a change, retailers are looking to be more inclusive, and consumers are craving to see a true representation of themselves. One of the most notable leaders in this space is JCPenney’s very own Big & Tall Style Ambassador, Shaquille O’Neal, who is addressing this unmet need first-hand with his own XLG suit collection,” the retailer explains. “That’s why Shaquille and JCPenney are teaming up with Wilhelmina to grow the Titan division and help give big & tall guys the representation they deserve.”