hen Karlo Gomez set up a FaceTime photoshoot with Ericka Jane Link, fresh off another FaceTime photoshoot with Alyssa Ross, we knew magic was about to happen. Ericka's natural beauty and free spirit practically leaped off the screen, making the shoot a mesmerizing dance between spontaneity and raw authenticity. Ericka embraced the intimacy of being captured in her personal space, showing the world that confidence comes from within, and makeup is definitely optional. The result was a glowing reminder that sometimes, the best beauty is the kind that’s unfiltered and unapologetic.
Ericka’s journey to confidence is a lesson in self-acceptance. Her advice to girls struggling with self-esteem is simple yet profound: whatever you do, whether you choose to follow the crowd or stand out, you’ve got to love it. If you don’t love what you’re doing or how you’re living, it’s time for a change. Confidence, after all, is about being true to yourself.
For Ericka, ditching makeup became part of her self-love journey. She found power in showing off the insecurities she once tried to hide—her skin, her realness. By embracing her natural face, she’s helping other girls realize they don’t need a full face of foundation to feel beautiful. Confidence doesn’t need to come with concealer; sometimes it’s just about owning your skin as it is.
Mainstream media didn’t make it easy. For years, Ericka—like so many of us—was bombarded with images that defined beauty as size 0, flawless skin, and symmetrical features. But times are changing. Companies are starting to embrace the beauty of imperfections—acne, stretch marks, cellulite—and in doing so, they’re showing millions of girls that real beauty isn’t about perfection. Ericka knows this firsthand. It’s refreshing to see beauty redefined and plastered on billboards and ads that celebrate the authenticity of being a woman.
Ericka hasn’t yet experienced stretch marks or cellulite, but she’s ready to love her body when those natural changes come. She believes that when your body changes, whether it's adding a few pounds or gaining marks from growth, it’s just a new chapter in your personal story—one to be loved and embraced just like the others.
Her message to girls struggling to love their bodies? Stop obsessing over every little detail. You don’t need to stand inches from the mirror, analyzing every pore or imagining your body as something it’s not. Instead, find what makes you unique and celebrate it until you can’t help but fill your head with positive thoughts. Over time, you’ll pass by a mirror and smile at the reflection staring back at you.
Ericka also believes in the power of daily self-love rituals. Each morning, she starts with affirmations—genuine, loving praises about her body and her face. It’s a simple habit, but it sets the tone for the rest of the day. She wears clothes that make her feel good, whether they’re oversized or form-fitting, and she embraces her choices. To her, self-love isn’t just about what you see in the mirror; it’s about what you tell yourself in your mind. The things you don’t say—those negative thoughts you stop from creeping in—have just as much impact on your overall mentality and actions. Fill your mind with love and graciousness, not just for yourself but for those around you, and your confidence will radiate.
At the end of the day, Ericka believes that everyone deserves to feel sexy—whether you’re in lingerie or an oversized T-shirt. Confidence is sexy. When you’re comfortable in your own skin, that confidence shines through. And yes, for those who think taking photos in your underwear is “wrong,” Ericka has a reminder: if wearing a bikini is fine, then why shouldn’t lingerie be, too?
SundayMorningView has given her a platform to see that many women face the same struggles. The beauty of being part of the SMV community is realizing that we don’t have to Photoshop our flaws away. In fact, it’s about flaunting them. Ericka’s FaceTime shoot, with no makeup and nothing to hide, is a celebration of that very concept—real beauty, imperfections and all, right there for the world to see.
And yes, she feels HOT doing it. Confidence, after all, is contagious.
Until next time, don’t forget to check out Ericka’s journey on Instagram @ErickaJane5. Because beauty, as she shows us, is about embracing yourself exactly as you are.
