'I felt like a failure': Swimwear model Erin Heatherton details her struggle with body image and the constant pressure to be 'perfect' in very personal Instagram post

Erin Heatherton is a renowned swimsuit model, is a Sports Illustrated regular and has dated Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio.

But despite being admired across the world, even Erin is not immune to self-doubt.

The 27-year-old has revealed that she has previously suffered with body confidence issues, claiming on social media: 'I am not perfect'.

Breakdown to breakthrough: Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Erin Heatherton, 27, posing here surrounded by foliage, has told how she has experienced body confidence issues

Strength: Erin, posing here with social entrepreneur Renata Black in t-shirts that read 'empowered by failure' and 'empowered by insecurity', said the doubt she felt in her body helped her to feel stronger

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It's not every day that you hear a Victoria's Secret model say she has body issues, but Erin Heatherton was very open about it on her Instagram. With a body like hers it's hard to believe she struggles with confidence, but even supermodels go through their ups an downs.

But her t-shirt says it all. The crop top hails from lingerie brand, Empowered By You and was emblazoned with the words Empowered By Failure.

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Describing her 'breakdown to breakthrough' moment, the 27-year-old said she was 'struggling' with her body and the pressures of her industry.

But she said her encounter with adversity helped make her stronger. 

'The breakdown to breakthrough moment in my life has allowed me to become the truest version of myself. In my moment of “failure,” I stood in the face of adversity,' she wrote on Instagram.

'I was struggling with my body image and the pressures to fulfill the demands of perfectionism upon me. I am not perfect. 

'Through this struggle, however, I found the strength to love myself. I stood in my power.'

Beauty: The model, who has featured in Sports Illustrated and dated Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, is admired across the world

Poser: Despite her beauty and success, the model has experienced doubts about her looks and claims she is 'not perfect' 

In the post, accompanying a picture of her wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words 'empowered by failure, Erin said she has learnt to 'embrace' difficult moments.

She wrote: 'I thought of one of my favorite quotes, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a men’s character, give him power” - Abraham Lincoln.

'I look back on that moment now, and I embrace it. 

'This feeling I once perceived as “failure” was, in truth, a powerful awakening for me to stand behind my purpose in life. 

'I stepped away from hiding behind a fabricated version of myself. I no longer put actions behind my fears and insecurities. I made a choice to redirect my energy to be a catalyst for change.'

In a cryptic sign off, she said she wants to 'create a channel for women to become the truest versions of themselves, along with me'. Adding: 'Stay tuned for more'. 

Honesty: Writing on Instagram she said difficult moments have allowed her to become 'the truest version of myself'

'Stay tuned': The model appears to be planning a project for women to help their confidence

In another picture, she posted a revealing black and white picture of herself and social entrepreneur Renata Black who also shared her story of empowerment. 

She said being adopted at a young age means that life has always felt 'lucky' to her.

She said in her 10-year fight to 'empower women out of poverty and into self-sufficiency via microfinance' she has not experienced the 'overnight success I thought I deserved to be.'

But added: 'In this pursuit of magic, the path has been my teacher. Living out your purpose is the highest luxury and it is a privilege that is earned as I have learned. 

'Throughout this tenacious journey dotted by insecurity I always come back to the why I do what I do and think, “Be who you were before all that stuff happened that dimmed your f***ing shine.” 

'I turn insecurity into relentless drive and think of my favorite quote from Rosa Parks, “ You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right"'.