I think she is beautiful but this doesn't look like a size 16. I'd say maybe a 12? I tried to think of a reason the company would say she was bigger than she was and the only thing I could think of was that they could say they have a size 16 representing them. Usually these plus size stores have models who aren't plus sized and they've been criticized for that.
I thought the same thing when I first saw that article. I hover between 12 and 14 depending on brand and she looks smaller then me (granted she is MUCH taller so that might have something to do with it)
As a sight note, she has a very flat stomach for being"plus size" I wish mine was that flat.
she is very tall and well proportioned, so i think she could be a size 16. also, regular stores vanity size the heck out of their clothes, so what we think of as a size 16 is probably more like a 10 or 12. regardless of whatever size she is, she is gorgeous!