Busting the ‘Lucky’ Narrative: Unspoken Weight of Having Big Chest

Forget the term ‘lucky.’ Let’s talk about liberation. In a society that often equates large breasts with “luck” and “blessing,” Ulya Nikita Hagedorn and Jannel Mendee Calleja are breaking the silence on the complex realities of living with a big chest.

Ulya Nikita Hagedorn, or “MAMA” as her followers know her, admits that being called “lucky” for being big-chested is a label she’s not okay with. “When  I look at myself, what are the things that I like? Being big-chested has never been one of those.” 

Growing up, she battled insecurities like the rest – her nose, skin color, and body. But her chest? That was a whole other level. “People don’t realize what big chests look like without a bra,” she reveals. “There’s this standard Hollywood image, but every girl is different.”

Ulya acknowledges that her chest didn’t exactly fit the ‘model standard’ of what a chest should look like. “You don’t really grow up in a society where people normalize different-looking big chests,” she points out with a hint of sarcasm. It’s clear that societal expectations and the pressure to conform have affected her perception of her body.

Meanwhile, Jannel Mendee Calleja, better known as Mendee, an influencer, also knows this reality intimately. Mendee acknowledges that it is due to genetic components but quickly dismantles that it is a “walk in the park.” 

As a beauty queen and an influencer, she is more exposed to a world where appearances hold significant weight, and her body is often a topic of discussion.

Ulya’s perspective shifted after becoming a mother. Breastfeeding helped her appreciate her body’s capabilities and sparked a desire to reclaim her body on her own terms. “I realized how amazing my body was,” she shares, “but I also knew I wanted to feel comfortable in my own skin again.”

With a promise to herself, Ulya waited until Mako, her son, was done breastfeeding before finally pursuing the breast lift and reduction she’d envisioned. Last October 2024, she made it a reality and hasn’t shied away from sharing her journey ever since.

However, Ulya and Mendee want to clarify how important self-love is in body alterations. 

“I feel like before you get surgeries, you have to be strong mentally,” Ulya said. “You have to love yourself 100%. I even asked my best friend that time, I was like, ‘is it giving I hate myself?’”

Mendee’s openness about her breast lift journey also dares the notion that such procedures are inherently superficial or driven by insecurity. It was her choice for her well-being.

“It’s essential still for these people who want to undergo that change to love themselves before so they can truly love themselves after,” and in a world that constantly pressures women to conform, they have a powerful statement.

Women, as a whole, carry immense weight. We’re expected to be nurturing, strong, and beautiful, often simultaneously. We give so much—emotionally, physically, and professionally. Yet, when we face complications, whether it’s health issues, societal pressures, or simply the daily grind, the support we receive usually falls short.

This is a reality we must continue to challenge. We need to advocate for ourselves and each other, to continue demanding the understanding and support we deserve. We need to fight for the world to acknowledge the unseen loads that women carry.

“It takes a lot to accept. It takes a lot to be able to understand a woman’s body as it is,” Mendee advises. It’s a journey, not a quick fix.  “Comparing your body to other people’s bodies who have different needs isn’t something that you should be insecure of,” she concludes.

“Whether you’re big-chested or flat-chested, it doesn’t define you as a woman,” Ulya said. “It’s still important to care about how you look, but put yourself first.”