Karlie Kloss Was Called Both 'Too Fat' and 'Too Skinny' in One Day by Casting Agents

Her takeaway is empowering.
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CANNES, FRANCE - JUNE 19: Model Karlie Kloss arrives at the 'Joanna Coles in conversation with Karlie Kloss' Seminar during the Cannes Lions Festival 2017 on June 19, 2017 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Francois G. Durand/Getty Images)Francois G. Durand

The fashion industry is notoriously demanding, but Karlie Kloss recently talked about a time when it was quite literally impossible to please. During her conversation at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity on Monday, Karlie spoke about her struggle — in the eyes of a casting agent — to be accepted for the size of her body.

"I was called both too fat and too thin by a casting agent on the same day," Karlie says, according to Page Six. She added that despite the clearly ridiculous and contradictory standards set by the industry — or perhaps because of them — she has learned over time to focus not on her weight but on her health and strength. "I don't want to please anyone but myself," she said, causing the audience to give her a standing ovation, Page Six reports.

The supermodel also spoke about the other way she prioritizes health from the inside out: through coding and computer science classes. "At my core, I am totally a nerd. I love understanding how things work," she said, adding that computer science "is not the sexiest thing," but that "I am so passionate about it, and it is genuine."

Karlie, who started her "Kode With Klossy" computer science summer camps for young girls last year, has never been one to hide her inner geek. She joined scientist Bill Nye on his new Netflix show Bill Nye Saves the World as a special correspondent, helping to explain climate change to rapper Desiigner. Last year, she told W she wanted "a trip to space" for Christmas, as well as the more practical Nintendo NES Classic. She's got the right idea: Learning to code and traveling to space will undoubtedly serve international supermodel Kloss much better than bending her body to every whim of every fickle casting director.

Related: Karlie Kloss Tried THOSE Viral Recipes You See All Over Pinterest